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June-July 2025 Test Drive Meme
June-July 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:
Old wood creaks and groans, barely audible over a howl of wind. Wet droplets of rain hit faces and soak into clothing. Clouds overhead are a murky gray, blocking out the sun. Though summer weather is often somewhat temperamental, a true storm has now hit. Both newly arrived Star Children and veterans may find themselves in the midst of this situation quite abruptly, standing on the unsteady deck of an old, grand ship. Those who run to the nearest rail and peer overboard may be shocked to discover a stark absence of water below. Instead, the view just goes down… and down… The land of Folkmore lies far below, as this ship is flying through the storm, its sails struggling to hold under the force of whipping winds. There is no captain, there is no helmsman- there is no crew at all to be found, only fellow Star Children. And yet… the ship is still moving full speed ahead through the storm, as if it has a destination in mind.
A resounding boom echoes, and those with a keen gaze may just spot something whizzing past, missing the ship by a hair. Was that… a cannonball?
Just like that, a second vessel weaves its way out of a deck of gray clouds, pulling up side by side to the ship the Star Children are on. Lightning flashes, illuminating a whole bunch of sneers across the way, along with some eye patches, bandanas and goggles. Sky pirates are attacking! It's clear from their animalistic features that they're local spirits, but they're hardly as benevolent as those typically seen in Folkmore.
Ready yourselves, Star Children!
Those who wish to return fire will find several cannons lined along the ship's deck, ready to be used. These don't work just like any old artillery, though. In place of those unwieldy metal balls, one must load magic into these cannons. Lore, to be precise! It even says so on a small metal plaque, attached near the firing mechanism: "Connection is one's true ammunition." Find a fellow Star Child and start chatting! The more meaningful the conversation, the grander the magic ball one may blast at the pirates with the cannons.
Unfortunately, the cannons alone are not enough to fight off the pirates, as several of them swing their way aboard with ropes. (Or just fly, if they're bird spirits.) Star Children can head down into the armory below deck to grab a weapon. Yes, even weapons from home (or items that can be improvised weapons) are available, and may be kept after the fight is over. Star Children capable of flight may even be daring enough to make their way to the enemy's ship and deal some real damage over there.
The ship continues to shake and creak and bob in the storm, which may complicate the fight, but not all is lost. There, in the distance, up ahead… A beacon of light flickers, struggling to be seen through the thick clouds. What is that?
Old wood creaks and groans, barely audible over a howl of wind. Wet droplets of rain hit faces and soak into clothing. Clouds overhead are a murky gray, blocking out the sun. Though summer weather is often somewhat temperamental, a true storm has now hit. Both newly arrived Star Children and veterans may find themselves in the midst of this situation quite abruptly, standing on the unsteady deck of an old, grand ship. Those who run to the nearest rail and peer overboard may be shocked to discover a stark absence of water below. Instead, the view just goes down… and down… The land of Folkmore lies far below, as this ship is flying through the storm, its sails struggling to hold under the force of whipping winds. There is no captain, there is no helmsman- there is no crew at all to be found, only fellow Star Children. And yet… the ship is still moving full speed ahead through the storm, as if it has a destination in mind.
A resounding boom echoes, and those with a keen gaze may just spot something whizzing past, missing the ship by a hair. Was that… a cannonball?
Just like that, a second vessel weaves its way out of a deck of gray clouds, pulling up side by side to the ship the Star Children are on. Lightning flashes, illuminating a whole bunch of sneers across the way, along with some eye patches, bandanas and goggles. Sky pirates are attacking! It's clear from their animalistic features that they're local spirits, but they're hardly as benevolent as those typically seen in Folkmore.
Ready yourselves, Star Children!
Those who wish to return fire will find several cannons lined along the ship's deck, ready to be used. These don't work just like any old artillery, though. In place of those unwieldy metal balls, one must load magic into these cannons. Lore, to be precise! It even says so on a small metal plaque, attached near the firing mechanism: "Connection is one's true ammunition." Find a fellow Star Child and start chatting! The more meaningful the conversation, the grander the magic ball one may blast at the pirates with the cannons.
Unfortunately, the cannons alone are not enough to fight off the pirates, as several of them swing their way aboard with ropes. (Or just fly, if they're bird spirits.) Star Children can head down into the armory below deck to grab a weapon. Yes, even weapons from home (or items that can be improvised weapons) are available, and may be kept after the fight is over. Star Children capable of flight may even be daring enough to make their way to the enemy's ship and deal some real damage over there.
The ship continues to shake and creak and bob in the storm, which may complicate the fight, but not all is lost. There, in the distance, up ahead… A beacon of light flickers, struggling to be seen through the thick clouds. What is that?
- Star Children (new and old) find themselves aboard a grand wooden ship, flying through a storm. Yes, literally flying!
- Sky pirates attack! They're just the local spirits, but a rowdy bunch nonetheless.
- Use conversation to load up a cannon with Lore energy, then blast it at the pirate ship.
- Alternatively, grab a weapon (possibly from home) from your ship's armory and start swashbuckling.
- Star Children can keep one (1) weapon/item from home and other basic weapons.
Content Warnings:
Other Star Children, both new and old, may find themselves drawn to the floating island of Never Fade. Up here, in the clouds, the storm rages just as fierce, and the native spirits all share the same worry: the lighthouse is broken. Indeed, up on the highest hill of Never Fade stands a towering white spire, its beacon dimmed. 'A ship is coming in at any moment', the spirits all whisper. 'And there's reports of pirates in the area, too. What will we do?'
The goats which are quite common in Never Fade join forces to guide Star Children up the hill towards the lighthouse. And if not guiding, then dragging, chompers clenched around the fabric of sleeves or pant legs as they pull. The rain does not slow, but the wind thankfully blows uphill. Best to just go along with it, so you can go take shelter from the storm inside the enormous spire building, because the goats won't leave you alone otherwise.
Just outside the lighthouse stands a very curious cat. It's so large, it's almost the size of a pony, and its fur is black. No, white. … No, it's black, isn't it? (It really depends on what mood it's in.) Karma the cat peers up at any approaching Star Children with knowing eyes. It dashes inside the lighthouse for a second, then reappears with an envelope in its mouth, holding it out for the newcomer to take. Careful- the paper might get wet in the rain! Come stand under the awning or inside the house as you read:
"The lighthouse keeper is on vacation. Please help! The beacon needs to be charged. We need positive energy to power the light, and negative energy to rotate the lens. Be nice or be mean, both are good! :)"
Are you up for the task, Star Children? Then stay in the lighthouse's near vicinity, or go right on up to the beacon, and do as Karma asked: Either compliment your fellows, or insult them. Share fond memories with one another, or commiserate on how terrible this situation is. Both pleasant conversation and nasty confrontation will do the job. Before long, the light springs to life and the great glass lens begins to rotate around it, a majestic beam of light revolving outward from the spire, piercing the dark clouds.
Those who wait around will see it: that great big wooden ship which comes flying towards Never Fade's docks to make port there. … Is that a hole in its side? And a cutlass sticking out of the mast? Confusion may make way for relief, as all the Star Children aboard disembark, surely bursting with a great tale to tell. Elated spirits bring out the hot soup, bread and all other hearty comfort foods to celebrate the successful arrival. Time to celebrate! Or raid the armory for a free weapon from home, if you haven't gotten one yet- with an emphasis on one, because Karma the cat will attack anyone who got greedy, be it now or during the earlier voyage.
Other Star Children, both new and old, may find themselves drawn to the floating island of Never Fade. Up here, in the clouds, the storm rages just as fierce, and the native spirits all share the same worry: the lighthouse is broken. Indeed, up on the highest hill of Never Fade stands a towering white spire, its beacon dimmed. 'A ship is coming in at any moment', the spirits all whisper. 'And there's reports of pirates in the area, too. What will we do?'
The goats which are quite common in Never Fade join forces to guide Star Children up the hill towards the lighthouse. And if not guiding, then dragging, chompers clenched around the fabric of sleeves or pant legs as they pull. The rain does not slow, but the wind thankfully blows uphill. Best to just go along with it, so you can go take shelter from the storm inside the enormous spire building, because the goats won't leave you alone otherwise.
Just outside the lighthouse stands a very curious cat. It's so large, it's almost the size of a pony, and its fur is black. No, white. … No, it's black, isn't it? (It really depends on what mood it's in.) Karma the cat peers up at any approaching Star Children with knowing eyes. It dashes inside the lighthouse for a second, then reappears with an envelope in its mouth, holding it out for the newcomer to take. Careful- the paper might get wet in the rain! Come stand under the awning or inside the house as you read:
"The lighthouse keeper is on vacation. Please help! The beacon needs to be charged. We need positive energy to power the light, and negative energy to rotate the lens. Be nice or be mean, both are good! :)"
Are you up for the task, Star Children? Then stay in the lighthouse's near vicinity, or go right on up to the beacon, and do as Karma asked: Either compliment your fellows, or insult them. Share fond memories with one another, or commiserate on how terrible this situation is. Both pleasant conversation and nasty confrontation will do the job. Before long, the light springs to life and the great glass lens begins to rotate around it, a majestic beam of light revolving outward from the spire, piercing the dark clouds.
Those who wait around will see it: that great big wooden ship which comes flying towards Never Fade's docks to make port there. … Is that a hole in its side? And a cutlass sticking out of the mast? Confusion may make way for relief, as all the Star Children aboard disembark, surely bursting with a great tale to tell. Elated spirits bring out the hot soup, bread and all other hearty comfort foods to celebrate the successful arrival. Time to celebrate! Or raid the armory for a free weapon from home, if you haven't gotten one yet- with an emphasis on one, because Karma the cat will attack anyone who got greedy, be it now or during the earlier voyage.
- Star Children who weren't taken to the ship may instead have been drawn to Never Fade, where the storm rages just as fiercely.
- Goats guide Star Children towards the lighthouse, which is broken. Karma the cat awaits them there.
- In order to get the lighthouse beacon working again, it must be charged with both positive and negative energy. Engage in either pleasant or hostile conversation with a fellow Star Child to help out!
- Once the lighthouse is up and running, the ship from the first prompt will dock at Never Fade, uniting all the Star Children for a great celebration.
- The ship's armory is still available for a free weapon (possibly from home), but anyone who got greedy and tried to take more than one will be confronted by Karma. Literally. (And lose the additional items).
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Right, a spoon.
[Does he even have a spoon on him? The pocket of the hoodie he's wearing that doesn't quite fit him did seem a little heavier, but he paid it no mind. More important things to worry about at the time.]
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[ Source: no source, just Raph deciding. ]
Now let's get your face cleaned up before Casey or Big Leo see it and freak out. 'cause at this point, Raph'd throw you right under that bus. See how you like those big extra-sad Casey eyes aimed at you.
[ Serve you right for being a jerk!!!! A very worrying, sickly-looking JERK. ]
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[Everything was cash with the turtles! The joys of being mutants who technically didn't exist until the world went to hell and your family was what was keeping shit together.]
Ah but you see, I'm used to them?
[This is a lie, Sad Casey is like. Extra effective against Uncle Tello.]
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[ The audacity. The rudeness. The stubbornness! Ugh! Raph doesn't know where any Donnie gets that stubbornness from, because it obviously had nothing to do with him.
Fine. Maybe he calls the bluff. Raph's only had Casey Junior for two years and if anything happened to him, he'd kill everyone in the room etc etc etc. Tello had Casey's whole entire life. Used to nothin', he thinks.
He sets the first aid kit to the side and fishes out his relic, which he helpfully holds up to show Donnie that he's getting Casey's contact pic pulled up. Don't make him do this, old-timer... ]
Don't think I won't text him right now, hoss. Just for starters! We got even more big guns on tap.
[ Literally anybody who can wound a heart by looking very sad. Or wound a head with a magic green bat and then drag Donnie off for healing. Mikey and April would probably love a chance. ]
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Enjoy a Donnie disapproving look.]
Leave Junior out of this, he's got enough to deal with.
[Also wow, wow. That unsure of your skills, Raph? Gotta call in April and/or Mikey?]
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Donnie, this is your call. You know the options.
[ He is, mayhaps, unsure of his skills (or the reach of his own Sad Eyes, if he should manage to dredge them up) in this arena right now. Just based on the way showing concern for Big Donnie's been going for him so far.
It's a risky gambit. Raph has to stay committed, for the greater good. ]
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[That being involving Casey!!! He's made no effort to stop Raph from doing any first aid in his bloody lip.]
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Ugh. Fine. It is what it is. It will be. ]
Good. Grab a seat. [ I assume there's outdoor chairs out here somewhere idk I am not looking at a map. ] Two-minute cleanup max. Probably less.
[ Ideally less. He doesn't think Donnie's set to bleed all over the place or anything. And since Raph is so reasonable and mature, he'll even settle for merely bringing the first aid kit, and not try to bully his way into giving the first aid himself. ]
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[And he will sit his butt down on whatever seat like area there is, and if Raph is handing over the first aid kit? He'll take it, if not?
He's waiting for Raph to do his thing.]
Although you're acting like I'll bleed to death, Raphala.
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And merely supervise. For now. ]
Yeah, well, Raph's happy to reevaluate once you don't look like a busted lip could do you in. Til then, better safe than sorry.
[ The anxiety train stops for no one. ]
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You worry too much, Raph.
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Y- yeah, okay, sure.
[ No one told him future Donnie was gonna have jokes! ]
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[Does he have to say "you're a kid, and I'm an adult" to you again?!
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[ It's still funny to him, though. Raph can't help it. Even if he gets the idea that it's coming from the heart. As much as most stuff from a Donnie comes from the heart. ]
It's not like there's an off-switch for this one, buddy. Raph's Raph. It's built-in.
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[Although he likes to think that death made Raph a little chiller? NOT that he's going to tell this Raph that.]
But I stand by what I've said thus far, about you doing... This. [He gestures at Raph, indicating the whole fussing deal.]
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You can stand by whatever! You're still family, Donnie. [ If not Raph's actual Donnie, still A Donnie. Still Casey's uncle, and Casey is Raph's newest little brother so what's important for Casey is extra important for Raph. ] Rule one of the Mad Dogs, remember? We take care of family?
[ There's nothing more important. Their family is all they got at the end of the day. ]
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Still family. It applies. [ Easy. ] If stuff was switched around, I'd expect other me to make sure my brothers were doin' okay too. It's the same thing.
[ More or less. Give or take. ]
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Why do they gotta feel anything about it? [ Would it be surprising?? Raph, worrying about someone in the family unit? Surely not. ] You're Casey's fam. It ain't complicated.
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Just don't do something stupid like make it look like you're making a choice between him and me.
[Him being Donatello.]
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[ But. Fine. He'll keep it in mind. Try to account for... whatever brand of complicated insecurity this even qualifies as. Even if Raph doesn't see how it makes sense.
It's hard to get a read sometimes, with the twins. ]
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[The answer is badly, god his younger self is so insecure? Not that he can talk, he is also very insecure!]
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Right. Yeah. Every day it's somethin', huh? [ It's something every day... c'est la vie. ] Well don't worry about it, Raph'll get that squared away if it comes up. Don't even make it a mark on your family dance card.
[ How will he square it away?? Unsure. By being very blunt, probably. ]
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I'm going to worry about it because I shouldn't be putting you in that kind of situation. [If he can't trust Raph to stop, he'll just make it so Raph doesn't get to start.]
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