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December-January 2024-2025 Test Drive Meme
December-January 2024-2025 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: 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!
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!
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!
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.
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[ Explaining this will be the hard part when she is no longer completely convinced of it herself, but it’s the best explanation she has. ]
This is a pocket dimension. The fox seems to be in charge of it. People are here from different worlds and different times, and now you are too.
[ The mouse spirit had been conferring with several other small spirits, a raccoon and another mouse, and now begins to make its way back over to Alexei, looking determined. ]
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His head tilts sideways and his stance stiffens.]
Pocket dimension? Different worlds? [He'd say he doesn't believe it, but the thought is robbed from him when he sees the mouse approach from the corner of his eye. Oh boy...] ... And there are worlds of animals?
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Some. Life is strange.
[ The mouse finishes approaching and begins tugging on Alexei's pant leg again, pointing insistently back toward the middle of the car.
Natasha sighs. ]
We'd better see what they want.
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Yes yes, alright. I am coming. [The train's aisle is a little too narrow for him to turn comfortably, but he manages it by sucking in his gut.] Let us see what problem is.
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It's good to give Alexei something to do. Maybe it will help him to understand what's going on if he doesn't just hear about Folkmore's strangeness, but experiences it.
She still can't believe this is happening.
The mouse spirit looks back at her. ]
Yes, I'll come too.
[ She slides out of her seat and moves to follow the Red Guardian.
She hopes he doesn't try to solve the problem by tearing a hole the train. ]
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Alexei has no idea what he's looking at.]
You... need help cleaning up spill?
[The mouse instantly starts squeaking a protest, waving both hands dismissively.]
No? You certain? It's dangerous to leave like this. Someone could slip.
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The blob spirit had been sitting up and now is... lying on the ground with its eyes closed so...
The racoon spirit makes a dramatic screeching noise and rushes to the blob spirit. Her fake sobs shake her shoulders as she mourns dramatically. The blob spirit actually opens its eyes a little and shifts away as the racoon spirit accidentally bumps it in her hurry before settling back into a 'dead' pose.
...if there was anyone other than Alexei beside her, Natasha might actually indicate some form of confusion aloud, but no. Instead she's going to have to reach for a conclusion. ]
...is he supposed to be dead?
[ The mouse spirit nods eagerly, while the racoon spirit wails. The blob spirit squirms a little, in excitement or to get away from the noise, Natasha can't tell. ]
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I did not know ooze can die. That is... strange. [He stares down at the 'dead' blob for a moment longer, then his gaze moves to the mouse.] You want us to call hospital? Or...?
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She can not believe this is happening.
Alexei shows up. And they are plopped into a mystery murder theater.
She wants a drink. ]
They want us to solve his murder. [ The mouse squeaks an excited affirmation and the raccoon spirit looks up and nods emphatically. ] It looks like they've been waiting for two 'Star Children' to be in the same car for a while.
[ And in fact, the other spirits in the car seem to be dressed up as befitting this murder mystery. There's a badger spirit wearing glasses and tweed and two sheep spirits with incredibly - ridiculously - frilly dresses who are staring over at them like they're waiting to be questioned. ]
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I do not know what 'Star Children' is, but if animals believe we can solve the murder... Then we solve the murder.
[The spirits are bringing with excitement now, adjusting their outfits and their hair, nervously fidgeting in their seats. They're ready for their time to shine!!! Alexei doesn't notice, though.]
What is first step? Murder weapon?
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(Alexei is not stupid. Idealistic to the point of... well, harm, but not stupid. She doesn't want him to not be equipped to deal with all... this.) ]
Star Children are what they call the people the fox brings here. Probably because they fall from the stars. Thankfully there are not many actual children.
[ Just, you know, to be clear.
Meanwhile, the spirits deflate at Alexei's suggested course of action. It is a valid one, however, and so the raccoon spirit points dramatically at the - tiny cup? Really, it's about the size of a thimble - the blob spirit may have been 'drinking' from. ]
Looks like they want us to check out this cup. [ A corner of Natasha's mouth ticks up. This is so ridiculous. ]
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Cup? That is cup? [It really is tiny. Like it's for a doll. But Alexei supposes it's the right size for most of the beings surrounding them, blob included. He crouches down and reaches out to retrieve it from where it fell on the floor.]
Good thing I am wearing gloves, yes? No disturbing of fingerprints. Or DNA.
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Yes, good thing.
[ The raccoon spirit mimics drinking and then dramatically falls over. It blinks up at them, clearly asking if they've got it or if it needs to be repeated.
Dryly: ]
Do you think he was poisoned?
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Poison... How we check for that? A high-tech gizmo?
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[ She sure doesn't. And the poison isn't real, anyway, so she's not sure how they can find it. ]
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[He sighs heavily, shaking his head.
I miss my wife, Tails-The cup is held upside down for a second, which doesn't lead to much of anything, then he turns his attention back to Natasha.]
Well, if we assume there was poison... Perhaps we find person who could poison?
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In the meantime, the mouse and raccoon spirits excitedly nod at Alexei's suggestion. The remaining spirits also perk up. Maybe this will be their time to shine! ]
Did [ a beat. the gender of the 'dead' spirit appears to be 'blob' so... ] they have any enemies?
[ ...she can not believe this is the thing Folkmore is having them do now. ]
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... Perhaps we ask them. They look like they know something. [He's bluffing for the most part, but the sheep do seem antsy.]
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Muttering, ]
No more ridiculous than solving an escape room to win an exit. [ Louder, ]
All right, sure. Let's ask the sheep spirits.
[ She turns to walk over to them. They straighten excitedly and she decides this does not require subtlety. They want to fulfill their part - let them. ]
What do you know about this?
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The sheep, now very aware they shouldn't beat around the bush with rehearsed red herrings too much, both give a somewhat distressed 'baa' and point to the tiny cup still in Alexei's hand. Then they point to a refreshments trolley that's parked further along the aisle, near the train car's door.]
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The train finally stops at the station in Epiphany. Perfect. ]
Let's get off here and hit up the food stands. [ She can't imagine Alexei's not hungry. ] I'll show you how your spoon works.
[ And then... unleash him on the world? Bozhe moy. What is she going to do about him? ]
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That said, getting off the train comes as a relief, and the offer of food even more so. He moves over to the door to squeeze himself through, stepping onto the station's platform, then turns to glance Natasha's way.]
How spoon works? I know how spoon works. You scoop food and then you put it in mouth.
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This is a different kind of use. Did you notice you have one on you now? [ A beat. ] Check and see if you still have it.
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This thing?
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Yes. Put it back where you can't lose it. That serves as the container for what this place uses as money. You can't buy anything without your spoon.
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