August-September 2025 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

August-September 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]

Just when you think you've got a hold . ★

Content Warnings: Vampiric creatures, forced emotions, forced memory sharing/experience, potential physical dangers (lost, combat, drowning, etc)

New Star Children—and new Star Children only—arrive in Exile. Usually on solid ground. Usually with a sense of belonging and ease navigating within this region. If there's something particular the Star Child needs—food, clothes, shelter—something opens up and makes way. Anyone with hunting or gathering abilities may fend for themselves, a moss cloak may slough itself off a tree for a cool or cold Star Child, and a shack shudders up from the landscape when they grow weary. It's enough for anyone self-sufficient.

For those who want or need something more, they find a chittering scurry of squirrels around peat fires with tents set up. The squirrels provide nut based meals (bark substitute available), simple waterproof woolen clothes, and the use of the tents (two Star Children to a tent, no more, no less) for a small small price: a small prick of the finger and a few drops of blood. They have sharp teeth that can delicately pierce veins, for they are vampiric squirrels. It's the warmest welcome Exile has given to Star Children, not that new Star Children may know that. At least one wherein Baba Yaga—the iteration, the school, take one's pick—cannot be found.

New arrivals who wish to leave Exile and old Star Children who wish to enter Exile to greet the new arrivals shooting down over Exile face… challenges. The land does not want to let go of these newcomers. Nor does it want the old treading its paths, not even those previously welcomed in Exile. An uncomfortable mist filled with dread and rejection hugs borders. Those feelings manifest in a physical presentation of a difficult time in Star Children's lives. It's a time when Star Children had to make a choice: one that could get them exiled in some fashion.

A Star Child traveling alone will move through that memory exactly and must choose exile to pass. Those who made that choice before may have an easier time choosing it again. Or perhaps not.

Star Children who travel together or who come near each other in the wilderness face recreations that are not exactly the same. Their memories merge into one. In this shared false memory, both Star Children must choose exile to pass.

Star Children who pass find it easier to navigate Exile, whether to enter or to leave. Star Children who fail face further difficulties. Exile becomes confusingly similar in all directions. Star Children may be led to face the cunning creatures within Exile, with only basic weapons sticking from trees or held by skeletons to help them, or may be led to the Swamp of Sorrows, to drown under the weight of what bothers them. Whatever the exact challenge may be, it threatens Star Children's lives, and survival only means that: survival. They must retreat or face their memory again to move forward.

• New Star Children arrive in Exile! All are treated warmly (for Exile).
• Old Star Children are not teleported into Exile. All are treated coldly.
• Vampiric squirrels provide basic needs for those who need it in exchange for a little blood.
• Mist full of dread and rejection encircles Exile, and it must be traveled through to enter or to leave.
• In the mist, face a recreation (pure or mixed with someone else's) of a time Star Children had to make a choice that could result in some form of exile.
• If everyone picks exile, travel easier through Exile.
• If not everyone picks exile, face further dangers: misdirection, fights against clever creatures, the swamp of sorrows, etc

In the valley between intent and deed . ★

Content Warnings: Explosions, Wild Environmental Changes, Small or Large Forced Physical Changes, Potentially Permanent Changes, Forced Proximity

The cracks that wracked Folkmore have been sealed, but the Encantado remains uneasy. The river threw itself farther into Exile to avoid cracks creeping along its banks. It abandoned many gems in the river bed and flows across new ground—both to curious effects. The magic in the gems has nowhere to go. It builds and builds within until cracks begin to show. If left untended, these gems explode in a bout of chaotic magic changing the land around them and perhaps even nearby Star Children. Enjoy the new hair color, the longer hair, the brighter eyes, the galaxies of freckles, and more. They're permanent unless another Star Child can help. The new flowing magic within Exile changes the land around it. The trees grow and grow until they seem a century old or older. Their branches intertwine across the river, and their roots sing. Wood taken from them has magical properties, raw and unrefined.

Magically inclined Star Children, Star Children of great mental reasoning, or any other pertinent skill may observe these effects and determine how to address them. Whether Star Children come up with the solution on their own or get nudged along by a slight dark fox spirit, there are two primary solutions: restore the river to its original path or help it along this new one.

Star Children may work to restore the river by carrying its water from the new river banks and pouring it onto the old river bed. The water can be carried in any vessel, and it's safe so long as the water is not spilled. When water spills, it changes the environment where it hits. A small mound becomes an enormous hill. A small dip becomes a deep ravine. The trees web together. The weather stoops to head level. It's wild magic, and in its wildness: dangerous.

Star Children may work to establish the new path by carrying its gems from the old river bed to the new river stream. The gems may be carried by any means: wrap them in cloth, wear gloves, or move them with telekinesis, or any other mode preventing touch. It is safe so long as gems do not touch skin. When gems touch skin, it changes the Star Children greatly. They may turn into a tree or be made of bark. They may lose the ability to speak and instead yip like a dolphin. They may turn into water and be unable to move themselves. It's a great change, and in its greatness: dangerous.

Both tasks are easier achieved in pairs and small groups. The magic in the water, the magic in the gems, can flow into the Lore generated between Star Children. Traveling together, Star Children may see Lore as motes of light or glowing threads or flowing water. The effects of spill and touch are lessened and split but present a new element: affected Star Children must remain near each other for some hours. The greater the spill or longer and larger the touch, the more hours. Travel farther than a few feet and hit a solid wall. It's impossible to move further without magically dragging the other Star Child along.

Either or both options shall settle the wild magic into its place. Star Children cannot work at cross purposes, only determine how much one way or the other.

One time—and only one time—upon successfully bringing water or a gem to the other side, a gem will split open and reveal an item from home. It may even may even be a weapon or magical item. Oh, and it may be from one's partner's home. The magic is a bit wild.

• The Encantado River needs its magic stabilized either by restoring its path or establishing its new one (both is good).
• Gems in the riverbed explode, affecting people. Environment near the new path changes quickly.
• To restore its path, carry water from new to old without spilling.
• Spilling water causes large environmental changes.
• To establish the new path, carry gems from old to new without touching them.
• Touching gems causes large magical/physical changes to people.
• Effects are lessened when working in a group. However, messing up forces people to stay in close proximity for hours!
• After one (and only one) successful run, receive an item from home or your partner's home. It may be a weapon or magical item.
• Link your threads to impact where the Encantado winds up!

Comments

Re: cw: continued body horror, decay, facial horror, implied rapid decay

[steepwithdead]

[The way the moss curls up his throat and over his cheek is extra concerning: fungus can affect breathing, the brain, all manner of critical functions. No time to waste, then. He crouches down next to Leonardo, resting his staff on his shoulder.]

I look forward to your feedback after the fact. Here goes-

[He reaches around to press his free hand deep into the moss on Leo's shell, and casts Blight. Immediately necrotic energy flows through the entirety of the moss infection, spreading outwards in all direction, causing it to wilt, wither, and dry up. It begins to crumble and fall off in small waves, dusting into nothingness.

That dryness and draining feeling also spreads to Leonardo, unfortunately, like moisture and life itself is being sucked out of him. The good news is, it has zero effect whatsoever on his prosthetic or port. The bad news is, it does in fact hurt. A lot.]

finally a use for this icon

[grabaslice]

[Leonardo had thought he was braced for the spell, no. No, he was not. It knocks the air out of him completely. The pain is in fact A lot.

Most people would scream. At best, he makes a choked sound. Decades of ingrained instincts to be quiet keep him from making much noise at all. His eyes squeeze tightly shut as he tries to ride out the pain.

He opens his mouth, then closes it, a rattling breath escaping. His voice comes out in a croak.]

I'm blaming the moss for that one.

[The moss infection itself is gone. Clumps of dried dead moss all fall off onto the dirt under them. The damage it had done to his shell, his face, and port seem to go with it. At worse, the skin of his cheek is slightly discolored, but back in place.]

dibs on the agony

[steepwithdead]

Easy, now. [Caduceus keeps a hand on his shell, offering a stabilizing presence.] It seems to be coming off... just sit still and rest, I'll check it over.

[His hand brushes over the shell's surface, sweeping away the crumbling moss, so whatever is dead or dying falls down around them. His touch then wanders to wherever the moss had sprouted, clearing out the nooks and crannies (within reason and dignity, he's not about to stick his hand down into the poor guy's shell) particularly around the prosthetic and, of course, ensuring his throat is properly cleared. Leo's getting the full cleric check-up.]

[grabaslice]

Y-yeah. I'm, not going anywhere. [The cleric treatment makes Leonardo think of medics he's dealt with, so he understands the expectations. Remain still, trust in the fact he's being checked over.

He manages, still croakier than he would like. Leonardo stays as still as he can manage. His flesh hand shakes slightly against his knee, but he doesn't draw attention to it.]

[steepwithdead]

[Once he's satisfied with the examination and that the moss seems to be well and truly gone, Caduceus rests his hand on Leonardo's shoulder, and pours a curative spell into him instead. It won't fully undo the damage, but it should ease a lot of the harm.]

I don't see any left. Might be a clean bill of health, after all that. How do you feel?

[grabaslice]

After whatever you just did, better. [The curative spell curls through him, a balm that eases what the first spell did. Tension starts to drop away from him. Leonardo can breathe just a little easier.]

Makes me wonder how deep that moss went for the spell to hurt that badly.

[steepwithdead]

Deep enough to count at least halfway a part of you. I don't want to think about what might've happened if we'd let it go any deeper.

[He gives that shoulder a gentle couple of pats and withdraws to sit next to him properly, exhaling a breath. Those were hefty spells, though he's not exhausted by any means. Mostly relieved.]

[grabaslice]

[As the pain fades off, Leonardo leans back a little. He stretches his legs out in front of him. Quietly glad in his own way that he's here and he's alive. That he can go home and see his son, and brother.] Would have made me two for two on dying, probably.

Thank you, for the help. I appreciate it.

[steepwithdead]

You're welcome. I'm glad it worked.

[Caduceus makes a soft musing sound, halfway to a rumbling chuckle but not quite. (The dying comment- it isn't funny. It's a little funny.)]

Hits a bit differently the second time, doesn't it?

[grabaslice]

We're both just going to avoid touching any more gems after that. [He can see a few gems nearby, wondering how they're meant to deal with that. What was Thirteen's grand idea here?]

Yeah, yeah, it does. [He laughs a little breathlessly, moving to just rub at his cheek absently.] Makes all the dread drop off when you already know what it feels like.

[steepwithdead]

[Caduceus quirks a brow at that.]

Really? I've had the opposite experience. A near-death situation has me fighting all the harder to stay alive. The dread becomes fuel for survival.

cw: talk of war, PTSD

[grabaslice]

[He tips his head to the side, mulling it over.] At least for me, I lived with that dread for a few decades. Fought for every step of progress we could manage. Fought until it was all I did. It was the only thing ever on my mind, fight to live.

After dying, I don't know, it isn't scary to me anymore. I'm not gonna wax poetically about how peaceful it is. [He rotates his metal arm, testing his movement absently.] I just know, it'll happen eventually, and I don't need to be so afraid of it anymore. I can just enjoy things now. I'll worry if I need to actually fight here.

Re: cw: talk of war, PTSD

[steepwithdead]

That's a healthy way of viewing death, so long as you don't let yourself lean too far in the other direction again.

[He can understand exposure being a dulling knife on the experience, though. He's grown up around death his whole life, decades upon decades, but he's been adventuring and experiencing near-daily threats of death for less than a year. And he can hardly claim a constant losing battle like he's heard described to him. It's a very different life. Yet he's become braver at facing it head on, as more battles were survived, and he grew stronger, more adjusted- and besides that one terrible moment, not dying again.]

Feeling content with the idea of inevitability can bring a sense of peace. I agree with that. It's what I was taught, growing up.

cw: talk of death/dying

[grabaslice]

That's the plan. For now, it's about figuring out the balance. Everything takes a little time and practice. [He can be honest about that much. Why pretend when he's actively talked to Cad about it before?]

Explains why you're one step ahead of everyone else. [He teases idly back.] I can guess you've had a wide range of talks about death at this rate.

Re: cw: talk of death/dying

[steepwithdead]

Well, I did grow up in a temple graveyard. My whole life has been about death, in a very literal sense.

[No sense in dancing around the topic. He's very comfortable about it, generally speaking.]

cw: talk of death/dying

[grabaslice]

[That most decidedly earns a brief bit of a laugh from the turtle.] Yeah, okay- that would do it. Your family probably kept busy maintaining everything.

I grew up in a sewer, so it's why I'm full of shit. [He bats back with a wink. He has to joke around, it's just how he is.]

Re: cw: talk of death/dying

[steepwithdead]

[Okay, that one wins, because it gets Caduceus to laugh, a deep chuckle that makes his hair shake.]

Everyone's a little bit full of that.

[He's not gonna say the word, but. Agreed.]

[grabaslice]

Haven't met a person yet who isn't at least a little full of it. [He agrees, glad to get a laugh out of the other man.] Saw my chance for a joke, though, couldn't resist.

[Given how this encounter started, it's at least a win they can laugh a little. Leonardo's attention briefly flicks to gems still scattered about. They were going to have to deal with those eventually.]

[steepwithdead]

I think a good joke should always be shared, don't worry.

[Caduceus waves him off. He does follow Leonardo's gaze over to the gems, brief as it may have been, and considers for a moment.]

Do you know what it is that might've triggered it to burst like that?

[They seem pretty dormant, before and after.]

[grabaslice]

[The line of questioning draws a brief frown to Leonardo's features.]

Well, I did try to pick it up? As long as it's not disturbed, I assume it's fine. That just complicates things a little.

[steepwithdead]

Sure does, considering we're meant to move them. [Hmm. Sure would be handy to have a wizard around.] I don't suppose you know any kind of levitation skill.

[grabaslice]

Nope. No magic anymore. [He'll figure out ninpo later, it's fiine.] I used to be able to open portals, but 'used to' isn't helpful.

[He starts to push himself up onto his feet. Dusting himself off.] Let's see if touching it with my metal arm changes things.

[steepwithdead]

Just be careful. I can do that spell a few more times if we need it, but your body will need to rest properly, so you might be out of commission for the day.

[He can heal afterwards, sure, but he can't cast that infinitely, either. And eventually it all catches up, the back-and-forth sensation of wounded to healing to wounded again takes a toll.

In the meantime, he's scoping out the surroundings. If he can get up a tree and steal some big, tropical leaves, he can weave something to carry the gems with. Barring that, he could fly back to the starting point for a few buckets or something.]

[grabaslice]

As long as I'm not mossed as badly, I can manage it alright.

[An idea does occur to Leonardo at least.

He's shrugs off his cape/cowl combo to wrap around his metal hand. Blue fabric layered over the metal fingers enough there aren't any gaps. He can't exactly move the fingers smoothly out of their current position, but this will do.] I think this could at least make it a little safer. In theory anyway.

[steepwithdead]

[Caduceus rises to his feet and, perhaps wisely, takes a few steps back just in case it bursts again.]

That would make things easier, if it works.

[If it's a simple matter of not letting it contact one's skin, there's plenty of ways around that.]