December-January 2024-2025 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

December-January 2024-2025 TDM

Introduction

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This Test Drive meme is open to all.
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.

Current players are always encouraged to tag new people on the TDM!


🦊 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.

[ Prompt One ★ Prompt Two]

Murder on the Folkmore Express . ★

Content Warnings: hysical Entrapment, Fictional Crimes, Forced Engagement

Winter has come to Folkmore in full force, and with it, the desire for most to get to their destinations as fast as possible. The cold is bitter, after all, and nips at bare skin in most of the realm's regions. The public transport system becomes a safe haven for all; a perfect way to take a break in comfortable warmth as both spirits and Star Children alike travel along stretches of land. From the Cat Bus to the trains, to the submarines that lead to Tides, to even the hot air balloons which provide a beautiful sightseeing tour before touching down on Never Fade… There are more than enough public vehicles to board.

And this is exactly where newly arrived Star Children will find themselves: aboard one of the bigger public transportation methods. With a flash of light visible to all, their landing in this new realm is made known to all other passengers.

Something funny is going on, that much becomes clear within several seconds. Perhaps a nearby cat spirit will keel over dramatically in the middle of the train's aisle, pretending to have died. Perhaps a frog spirit will let out a loud croaking wail, proclaiming their precious wedding ring has been stolen just now. Or perhaps a timid little mouse will come up to Star Children, prattling on about how worried they are for their missing spouse. They are all acting, as is evident from their lack of skill in that department. They relish the opportunity to spin their little tales, their characterization often broken by mischievous smiles or hasty snickers into the palm of their paws. Once the stage is set and the story is out into the world, the spirits will look towards the nearest Star Children with clasped hands and hopeful gazes. 'Will you solve the mystery?' they seem to ask. Sometimes they'll even voice the question aloud.

One thing is for certain: Star Children have found themselves in their very own locked room whodunnit setup!

The puzzling scenarios have a wide range of possibilities. Perhaps someone vanished, with the questions being whether they've hidden themselves somewhere in the vehicle and why. Or maybe a mysterious spirit suffers from a sudden bout of amnesia. Who are they, and how did they lose their memories in the first place? Was that person lying on the floor poisoned? If so, how? What makes these mysteries extra difficult to crack is the very magic coursing through Folkmore. That heap of ash under a seat may be evidence, burnt to a crisp with fire magic. The 'dead' body may have been moved from the original crime scene through teleportation. Or the missing ring may have been enchanted to return to its original owner, which leads to the shocking reveal that the one reporting the crime was a thief all along. All cases range in difficulty level.

There is a catch. The transport will not stop until the conundrum is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The train will pass by stations, the Cat Bus will keep sprinting, submarines will circle Tides indefinitely… And the doors will remain locked, with even teleportation powers null and void. Star Children cannot disembark until the mystery is solved. Better work together to find those clues!

• New Star Children arrive in one of Folkmore's public transport vehicles.
• Spirits will re-enact locked room mysteries for Star Children to solve.
• Cases range from murder mysteries to missing persons, to simple theft.
• The vehicle will not stop until the mystery is resolved!

The Gift Train . ★

Content Warnings: Potential Information Reveal, Item Alteration

A cheerful ding rings out from each Star Child's Relic. It's a modest grab for their attention, a sign that something lies in wait. Checking out the origin, the recipients will find that they've received a message from Jewelia, one of Thirteen's aspects. It reads as follows: "It is a time for giving and a time for sharing. A time for friendship and a time for caring. Seek out this Star Child, and exchange with them a modest gift. Should you succeed and make the trade, then watch it shift."

What follows is not a name, but a list with facts. For example, a certain Star Child's role, which region they currently live in, what color their hair is, who their best friend is… It's all trivial data which, when put together, should point the seeking Star Child towards one particular individual. That's only the first part of the challenge, of course! Should they take the next step, they must give whoever they hunted down a gift. This can range from a batch of homemade cookies to a knitted sweater, to even a neat rock they found! It doesn't matter how big or small the gift is, whether it was bought or made… The present needs to be exchanged for something else.

As soon as the objects pass hands, they will evolve. They become nicer, or bigger, or tastier. The neat rock now shimmers like it's covered in eternal glitter. The knitted sweater now has a knitted hood to pull up over one's head. The cookies may take on a cutesy shape, or become more filling, with even a single bite enough to sate for a whole evening. The plain knife found in Folkmore becomes an engraved sword. This is the true power of sharing, and of paying good will forward.

Once an exchange is complete, each Star Child’s Relic will ding another time. A new list of facts appears, and they can repeat the process again. They have the option to give a new gift to their next match, or they can re-gift the item they were just given. There's no limitations to how much a single gift can upgrade, though objects will never become enchanted. They simply become nicer.

There's one more twist to this assignment: after three successful gift exchanges, the Relic plays an additional, cheerful little chime. A little victory note, almost. When the Star Child returns to their home afterwards, they'll find a small package waiting for them on their pillow (or whatever's close enough to a bed if they don't have one). Inside is a small item from their home world. It may even be a weapon or magical item. Just another reward for rising to the challenge!

• Star Children receive a message on their Relic: a list of facts leading them to another Star Child.
• When they find this Star Child and exchange a small gift with them, the gift will evolve into something nicer.
• If a Star Child succeeds in three successful exchanges, they will find a small item from home waiting for them in their home, atop their pillow.

Comments

[untitledshuos]

We cannot win the game without exchanging gifts. Personally, I enjoy winning games.

[ Jedao doesn't make it about the gift. Honestly, he'd enjoy the process no matter what gift his target gifts him. He takes greater pleasure in having someone new to track down from a series of clues. Gifts are a little bonus, and seeing as how they track down strangers, he doesn't expect it to be tailored to him or especially nice. Simply something given.

He sets the wrapped Kel ration bar on the bench besides the potentially germophobic target. Leaving a good amount of space between them, Jedao sits as well, leaning sideways so that he faces the other person. It's not how the bench was meant to be sat on, but he hardly cares. ]

I used to collect weapons back in the day, as it happens.

[ Guns primarily, but it hardly matters when he didn't have the time or purpose to use most of them. It was something to do with his money, and he appreciates a good weapon. ]

A holiday is a special day on the calendar. Less or no work is done for most people. There are festivities that might have food, music, special items. It all depends on the holiday and the culture. Are there any special or unique days where you come from?

[idratherdie]

How come?

[ It was a simple question, Angel didn't really understand what was fun about games. They'd never played any. They enjoyed it when Aki would buy them ice cream or ramen back home, but they didn't consider that those things in themselves could be considered gifts.

As they sit down beside them, and after setting the pretty wrapped box between them, Angel turns to face them. Sitting sidelong on the bench now too, curling their legs up, crossed underneath them as they cautiously reached out and plucked it up, holding it to their ear and giving it a little shake before bringing it to their face to sniff at it. ]

Why'd you collect them? They're too heavy for me. Mostly, anyway. Hey, is this edible? Smells kinda like food.

[ As they decided they could smell something worth eating, the glow of their halo changed from dull to a tad brighter, even if their expression and tone of voice didn't really change all that much to meet their mood, their halo did. ]

Less or no work? That sounds like heaven~ But, Devil's don't get festivities and holidays. I think Japan on the whole has them? I've just never experienced one.

[ Looking over the stranger for a moment as they concentrated on what weapon to give them. Something small and easy to make, maybe just 2 or 3 years' worth of gathered lifespan? ]

[untitledshuos]

[ Jedao's eyebrow goes up at the question. Even when games do not come with a prize, there's a matter of pride and ego and bragging rights between siblings or friends. That doesn't touch the levels of games played at the Shuos Academy or how they come to play on the battlefield. Oh plenty of people get upset at war being treated like a game, but they never complain about his results. Never lost a battle and all that nonsense.

To be asked why he likes to win is both refreshing and alarming. ]

It's like solving a puzzle or a problem. There's joy in the accomplishment of it. Far more joy for the lack of, say, coordinates to your location.

[ Even gift giving can be a game, though in this instance Jedao isn't trying to win that one. He's more having fun. ]

I needed to do something with my money. Mostly they sat in storage. It was enough of a pain to get them to special order the ammunition for my handgun, much less a whole arsenal.

[ He's not a man of many needs, and he spent those years living on military ships. There was no home, no spouses, no kids. He got banned from gambling houses for not cheating but playing too well. Jedao could only buy so much nice whiskey before he felt bad drinking it like the cheap stuff. ]

That's a brutal calendar to live by, no holidays. Bad for morale. You should celebrate one here. New Year's is coming up at the end of the month, a holiday for fresh starts.

[idratherdie]

[ Angel spent all of their time in a small, damp, and dank cell back in their world. Just big enough to walk around in and with no comforts. A thin, moldy mattress to sleep on and a member of the bureau would bring them meat and/or blood enough times a day that they didn't starve. It wasn't until they were partnered with Aki that they actually got to spend some time outside. That's just how it is for Devils. They don't have human rights. ]

I don't get it. I guess it's cool that you like it so much though.

[ Shrugging at the comment, not realizing how depressing or boring it might make them sound. ]

Ah, guns are bad where I come from. Because of the Gun Devil. We don't get to see them that much, so the fact that you have your own makes you a person of interest... Not that I care, the bureau isn't here so.

[ Sounds like a good life if you ask Angel. No one to tell them what to do, free to just do as they like, to an extent. ]

Is it? I've got bad morale? ... Huh... A holiday for fresh starts? Sounds nice. But I dunno what kind of fresh start I could have. Here, let me get your gift for you.

[ Sitting up a little straighter, Angel looked up and reached a hand into their halo. It didn't look like it had vanished or anything mind you, but when they drew their hand back out, there was a small plain dagger in their grip, about a foot long. Holding it by the blade they held it out towards them. ]

Here, be careful as you take it. Try not to touch me.

[untitledshuos]

[ Not everyone likes games. Some people are terrible at them and cannot stand losing. Others consider them childish and themselves too old or mature for such nonsense. The worlds are filled with all types, and Jedao's long stopped expecting everyone to understand, even if it frequently is an easy means to connect with people in Folkmore. It far beats talking about the nastier components of his world.

He's far more interested in this Gun Devil figure and why he is a person of interest solely for having a gun. He's not alone here. ]

I doubt your Gun Devil exists in my world, but I'd love to hear more about them... and how that leads to me being someone of interest.

[ He's stuck perennially as a person of interest in his world, but that is entirely for deeds that are his own doing. To be suspect for some other grounds is rather refreshing. There's nowhere for this newcomer to drag him off to if they even tried. He's not terribly concerned.

He watches the, what, summoning? creation? revelation? of a plain dagger. Other than the way they made the weapon appear, there's nothing special about it. The fact his target can do this is the biggest reveal so far. Jedao reaches out and takes the dagger by the handle, taking care not to cut their gift giver in the process.

In his hands the plain weapon scrawls with inscription. It depicts geese in flight on either side of the blade, so that together it forms a sharp v. Jedao hums thoughtfully. ]

I take it this last part wasn't you.

[ It has the feel of Thirteen to it. ]

[idratherdie]

[ Angel might have liked games, at one point. Ever since Miss Makima got her hands on them, they've just never really been the same. Memory missing from a certain point, mood and drive gone... Nightmares. Still, if they were going to survive here they were going to have to learn how to play along, even if they didn't like it. This was a perfect chance to do just that...If they can only bring themselves to put some effort in. ]

Why not? I exist here, I'm a Devil... Do I have to? ... What do you want to know about them? They were born the same as all of us when enough humans became afraid of guns. They supplied guns to the mafia from what I understand and when they last showed up, in 26 seconds, they killed 57,912 people.

[ They only know this fact off by heart because it was important to Aki. ]

So if you have a gun it means you have a connection to the Gun Devil and the people I work for, kinda want it dead sooo~ ... Not that I care.

[ Oh now, what was that? The plain dagger that Angel had created for them was changing? How was that possible?! They only used like 1 year's worth of siphoned life to make it, it wasn't even that good! ]

Yea, that's not me. I didn't put any thought into it... That's all you.

CW: mass murder reference

[untitledshuos]

[ 57,912 people? Six seconds may be impressive, depending on the kind of gun(s) being used, but when it comes to killing large numbers of people in a small amount of time, Jedao's done worse. He's infamous for Hellspin. For a million people dead on both sides. He had his reasons, but he will always be the monster who did that. Perhaps some might even call him a devil.

He listens, but he also shrugs. ]

You don't have to talk about them for my sake. I was simply curious. [ He cocks his head. ] You may be here, and the Gun Devil could come here. I assure you, though, that people are here with no connection to your devils.

[ It isn't the first time someone would want him dead for something generally unrelated to him, but at least it sounds like his target doesn't want him dead, doesn't care enough to want him dead. Folkmore's been good that way. ]

That's all our host, Thirteen. She promised something would happen with our gifts, and she's following through. That's the other reason I wanted to exchange gifts. I wanted to see what she'd do.

[idratherdie]

[ Angel wouldn't judge them for that, they're only bothered about the Gun Devil as they're stronger and scarier than they are- That and, well, it was important to Aki. Jedao seemed nice and weren't actively being a threat so Angel saw no reason not to remain chatting with them ( even if it was exhausting for them. ) ]

It's possible, sure. I wouldn't want to be here if they were here though.

[ Sleepy red eyes open a little wider for a second then, as they say that. Their halo glowed a tad brighter too.

The Angel Devil, or this reincarnation of it, wasn't bothered about much at all. They might have been taxed to kill Jedao but that doesn't mean they would, you know? Everything took effort and Angel hated to expend energy so thankfully their target was only to give them a gift and nothing more. ]

Really? Huh... Then...

[ Shaking the gift they had been given before pulling the paper off and opening it up. It just looked like a normal energy bar, the kind Aki sometimes had in the glove compartment of his car. And yet, it became softer and colder when Angel went to unwrap it. The treat completely changed into what appeared to be a chocolate and wafer ice cream sandwich bar! You could see, though it was only momentarily, their expression perked up with excitement. ]

[untitledshuos]

[ Jedao is on R&R in this universe, so he truly isn't a threat to anyone unless somehow Thirteen makes a trial where they need to be threats to each other or something nearly kills him so bad he loses his mind. Neither is terribly likely in his experience, a one off one time but not to be seen again. So he's quite pleased not to make people scared of him. He is for all appearances a mid-forties (middle aged, some might say) man from a planet no one here has ever heard of. ]

No matter how frightening your Gun Devil is, they aren't as powerful as Thirteen and could not wreak more havoc than she would allow. If you had to meet them anywhere, here is the place to be.

[ This place has seen gods, as well as devils. No one, not a single one, compares to their host in power. Some people plot her downfall or demise, and as is his habit, Jedao's made his own plan as well (with no intention of acting upon it). As troublesome as she is, he's experienced far worse meddling from higher ups before. This... he can tolerate. ]

Oh, that is a massive improvement from what it used to be. I wonder if it maintains the same nutritional value. Please, eat it, and let me know when you next get hungry. That should qualify as a whole meal, if it's as nutritious.

forever apologizing for the lateness! tdm threads got lost in my inbox D:

[idratherdie]

[ Well, let's hope that never happens then, huh? Again, Angel would rather hide somewhere and wait it out if that was the case, there was no Miss Makima here to control or command them so, they should be able to sneak off and hide without too much effort. ]

Really? Holy shit... I need to give Thirteen more credit then, because the Gun Devil is possibly the worst thing to ever happen in my world.

[ Honestly, it might be better for everyone back home, if the Gun Devil was here instead! Somewhere where someone like Thirteen could keep it in check and stop it from causing mass destruction whenever it showed up.

As for the ice cream sandwich, you didn't have to tell Angel twice! They were already stuffing it into their mouth, chomping away happily, licking their lips and humming a pleased sound as they finished it off in a matter of seconds. ]

Oh... Oh wow... That tasted better than just ice cream on its own. Is that a real thing?! Do people make those normally!?

it happens i often discovered threads i lost when going through my tracker to close things

[untitledshuos]

[ The worst? The absolute worst? Jedao wonders whether that speaks to the breadth of what gets classified as a gun or perhaps the lack of calendrical weapons, those variant technologies that depend on the Calendar people live by to function. No one has ever raised a similar issue in reference once to him in Folkmore. The chaos by which everyone else lives is fascinating. ]

Give her credit and appreciate she means no worse than sometimes to play tricks on us in her realm. A small price for freedom from the worst horrors.

[ At least for those who have seen horrors that get such a strong reaction as this gentleman had. Jedao wonders after his experiences, given his unfamiliarity with the wide variety of frozen treats he's seen most people familiar with. Yet he doesn't judge him for it. Jedao has his own surprises. He's simply trained to keep his surprise on the inside. ]

Yes, it is. It's also something you can summon with Lore on your own, now you've had it. You can invent new foods that way. Anything you can imagine. I haven't found the limits of that here.