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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.
no subject
Fine. It's a term popularized by lonely basement dwellers to describe a certain type of fictional character, typically female. That's outwardly cold and harsh, especially toward her love interest, in order to hide her true feelings. I think it's a form of wish-fulfillment of sad and pathetic nerds, as she gradually opens up and becomes more affectionate.
[and she hates herself for knowing that, thanks.]
no subject
So... If "tsundere" is fictional, clue is about lonely pathetic nerd instead?
no subject
But depends on the context, I suppose. What other hints do you got?
no subject
He still doesn't want to try prying the Relic back out of his pocket, but he remembers most things on the list, so:]
It said... "Myth". Which is strange, yes? Another thing of fiction.
no subject
Think they make up about a quarter of the population, based on my rough estimates. So it narrows it down, somewhat.
no subject
You have horns and claws, yes? You are this Myth also?
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Does it gives any physical description? Or location? [she steps in just a bit closer, under the guise of being helpful. and totally not to pickpocket.]
no subject
But fine, fiiine, he'll take out his Relic again to doublecheck the list. She can peek at the screen if she wants.]
Let's see... Three pigtails. Molecularly unstable, whatever that means.
no subject
molecularly unstable. it does not say that.
it says that. Ava's brows draw together, offended huff at the phone for outing her like this.]
Yeah, that's vague. Probably looking for somebody in that other direction. [which other direction? any but this one.]
no subject
He steps to the side, turning his body as he goes to face her directly. His eyes narrow and his brow furrows.]
You. You are target? You are pathetic basement nerd?
no subject
Gift recipient target. [a warning to him, a reminder to herself.] Got assigned you too. But I don't intend to participate in such an exchange because I don't follow anyone's orders. And you already admitted you have nothing of value to give.
no subject
At the very least, she has a point that he didn't bring any gifts to exchange. This mission was doomed to fail from the start. For now, at least. For now.]
Da, da, we cannot exchange now. But there is no harm in it, is there? Order or no order. I can go buy trinket, it is no problem.
no subject
and no maybe there's no actual direct harm in it, she still doesn't like the whole set up. the weird sense of obligation. all because some message told them to do so. start following the instructions of some little, seemingly innocent task, and next thing you know you're conditioning yourself to follow more elaborate commands without question. nope, she's not falling for it.]
What? No. Don't go do that. I don't need some worthless... thing. [and there's no telling what a guy like this would even consider an acceptable gift, but she's certain there's no way it'd be anything she'd even want.] Christmas is a sham anyway, pushed by corporations to brainwash everyone into mindless consumerism, as if it's the best way to show appreciation toward your fami- [oh, wait, that's the real reason she hates Christmas. Ava clenches her jaw.] Give me something and I'll make sure you choke on it.
no subject
Very amusing. But you cannot stop me spending my own magic money. I will find you something small and I will give it to you for the new year. Ded Moroz is much better than American Santa Claus anyway.
no subject
Well, no point waiting that long. I don't want to make you go through the trouble of tracking me down all over again. The shops aren't far off, and we can pick out something to trade.
[and then when he pulls out his spoon to pay... she'll know where he's keeping it.]
no subject
[Some might say Father Frost and Santa Claus are basically the same guy but with a different name. Alexei would tell those people off. Ded Moroz is so powerful that the communist authorities tried to ban him, and he weaseled his way right back into Russian culture after a few decades anyway. (Just like Red Guardian! Eeeyyy!)]
Alright, if you do not want to wait for the new year, we do it now. Early present. You can choose a good shop. [He's way too new to know what any of these stores are.]
no subject
Father Frost sounds like something she's perhaps heard of before, but she's fairly limited on her knowledge of folk tales. even her understanding of American holiday traditions is surface level awareness at best. but suddenly Alexei reminds her a bit of somebody she... didn't quite meet, but encountered recently. one of Scott's little Ex-Cons.
she glances back at him.] Have you heard of the Baba Yaga?
Somebody called me that.
no subject
Have I heard of Baba Yaga, ha ha! Baba Yaga s zheleznymi zubami! [Said with such intent that whatever magic usually translates other languages around here doesn't catch it.] Very bad thing to be called, that. But I do not see the resemblance.
no subject
No? He screamed it in terror when I appeared. So I don't think it was meant to be flattering.
no subject
[Baba Yaga has some real specific traits to her, so he can't imagine why else someone would mistake this girl for her. Maybe he should get her a mortar and pestle as gift. Make light of the whole situation.]
no subject
...
good. she continues on her way.]
no subject
Weird insult, or very bad eyesight. I would not think too hard about it next time. Or call him Vodyanoy. He will not like that, I bet. Vodyanoy is slimy, bearded frog man.
no subject
Ah. Here, there's some shops. [she indicates ahead.] Guess shopping local is less offensive than supporting some giant monopoly.
no subject
Of course. We must support the local artisans in their craft directly. No money for hotshot CEOs. [... wait-] Or magic energy for hotshot CEO spirits. Either way, earning goes to worker.
no subject
usually her little rants fall on deaf ears.]
Woe to this place if Stark ever shows up and inflicts his parasitic tendencies upon the economy. [more muttered to herself, she doesn't expect him to know of Iron Man.]
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