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October-November 2025 Test Drive Meme
October-November 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: N/A
Drizzly Willow is where newly arrived Star Children touch down, touching down gently in the soft moss beside a grand lake, or a babbling brook. The leafy strands of weeping willow trees flow gently in the breeze. All would seem calm, and yet, something prickles the back of Star Children's necks. Goosebumps erupt along skin and a sense of unease settles in the pit of the stomach. Some sort of invisible tension pulsates through Willow, and the closer one comes to the border shared with Exile, the worse it gets. It's almost as if something foul is drifting in from the neighboring marsh lands, affecting Leshy and Talaria in particular. Still, if one were to cross this border and enter Exile proper, all the tension dissipates. If one were to ask Baba Yaga, the iteration of Thirteen who rules over these marshes, she'll smile mysteriously and shake her head before vanishing.
Curious.
Amrita, the one in charge of Willow, has a plan to be rid of these uncomfortable vibes infiltrating her domain. All along the border shared with Exile, within walking distance of both Leshy and Talaria, Amrita has set up communal gardens. Not only are there wide, open spaces of freshly dug soil, there are a few lavish greenhouses. The glass panes are all squeaky clean and any sunlight to pass through almost seems to be filtered, removing any harsh glare and leaving only a pleasant glow. A warmth, almost. Within these greenhouses, that nasty prickle wafting in from Exile cannot be felt at all.
Veteran Star Children, the ones who would normally have no reason to visit Willow, are extended an invitation through their Relic to help tend to the gardens. Not only will it cleanse the area of that curious tension and be a valuable learning experience regarding agriculture, a small reward may be in it for those who participate!
Step right up, dear children! Pick up a spade or a watering can, there are more than enough to go around. More importantly, there are seeds, sprouts and bulbs of all types of plants. Fruits, vegetables, grains, certain spices… And yes, even flowers. Greenhouses and fields are both available, though one may need to do a little research on which option would be best for which plant. Either ask a friend, or consult one of the few books on gardening on loan from Amrita Academy.
Getting these gardens up and running isn't as simple as planting a seed in the correct location and watering it, though. No, instructions from Amrita are quite clear: Once planted, the seed (or sprout or bulb) must be watered with a watering can that's been infused with Lore. Only then will the plant grow at supernatural speeds, poking up through the soil and transforming rapidly into its full potential. A large pumpkin, an apple tree, a colorful rhubarb… Or maybe a banana tree? Or a patch full of potatoes, ready for eating! For those curious about the reward Amrita mentioned, this is it: delicious, fresh, homegrown food. Anything grown here won't go bad for a good long while, either. All fruits of labor will retain their size and hardiness for a whole month, if not longer, so harvesting need not happen any time soon.
The more plants grown in these gardens, the more the strange tension from Exile will decrease, almost as if the air is being purified by the flora.
Watering with Lore-infused tools isn't as easy as it sounds, though. It never is, as veteran Star Children will be able to guess. With these gardens being communal, the focal point to get the watering cans powered up is talking to others about community. What makes a community, or even just a team? What does it take to feel accepted by others? Reminiscing about communities one has been a part of in the past works just as well, of course.
Drizzly Willow is where newly arrived Star Children touch down, touching down gently in the soft moss beside a grand lake, or a babbling brook. The leafy strands of weeping willow trees flow gently in the breeze. All would seem calm, and yet, something prickles the back of Star Children's necks. Goosebumps erupt along skin and a sense of unease settles in the pit of the stomach. Some sort of invisible tension pulsates through Willow, and the closer one comes to the border shared with Exile, the worse it gets. It's almost as if something foul is drifting in from the neighboring marsh lands, affecting Leshy and Talaria in particular. Still, if one were to cross this border and enter Exile proper, all the tension dissipates. If one were to ask Baba Yaga, the iteration of Thirteen who rules over these marshes, she'll smile mysteriously and shake her head before vanishing.
Curious.
Amrita, the one in charge of Willow, has a plan to be rid of these uncomfortable vibes infiltrating her domain. All along the border shared with Exile, within walking distance of both Leshy and Talaria, Amrita has set up communal gardens. Not only are there wide, open spaces of freshly dug soil, there are a few lavish greenhouses. The glass panes are all squeaky clean and any sunlight to pass through almost seems to be filtered, removing any harsh glare and leaving only a pleasant glow. A warmth, almost. Within these greenhouses, that nasty prickle wafting in from Exile cannot be felt at all.
Veteran Star Children, the ones who would normally have no reason to visit Willow, are extended an invitation through their Relic to help tend to the gardens. Not only will it cleanse the area of that curious tension and be a valuable learning experience regarding agriculture, a small reward may be in it for those who participate!
Step right up, dear children! Pick up a spade or a watering can, there are more than enough to go around. More importantly, there are seeds, sprouts and bulbs of all types of plants. Fruits, vegetables, grains, certain spices… And yes, even flowers. Greenhouses and fields are both available, though one may need to do a little research on which option would be best for which plant. Either ask a friend, or consult one of the few books on gardening on loan from Amrita Academy.
Getting these gardens up and running isn't as simple as planting a seed in the correct location and watering it, though. No, instructions from Amrita are quite clear: Once planted, the seed (or sprout or bulb) must be watered with a watering can that's been infused with Lore. Only then will the plant grow at supernatural speeds, poking up through the soil and transforming rapidly into its full potential. A large pumpkin, an apple tree, a colorful rhubarb… Or maybe a banana tree? Or a patch full of potatoes, ready for eating! For those curious about the reward Amrita mentioned, this is it: delicious, fresh, homegrown food. Anything grown here won't go bad for a good long while, either. All fruits of labor will retain their size and hardiness for a whole month, if not longer, so harvesting need not happen any time soon.
The more plants grown in these gardens, the more the strange tension from Exile will decrease, almost as if the air is being purified by the flora.
Watering with Lore-infused tools isn't as easy as it sounds, though. It never is, as veteran Star Children will be able to guess. With these gardens being communal, the focal point to get the watering cans powered up is talking to others about community. What makes a community, or even just a team? What does it take to feel accepted by others? Reminiscing about communities one has been a part of in the past works just as well, of course.
- New Star Children land in Willow. Veteran Star Children are sent an invitation by Amrita (Willow's Thirteen) to come tend to gardens.
- Amrita has set up several communal gardens, fields and greenhouses near Talaria and Leshy with all the necessities to get started.
- Special watering cans powered by Lore can have plants grow to full size immediately. In order to invoke this Lore, Star Children must have conversations about the concept of community.
- Meanwhile, a strange, uncomfortable tension seems to be seeping out from Exile. The plants from the gardens absorb this tension to cleanse it. When entering Exile itself, the tension can no longer be felt.
Content Warnings: Violence
After a few successful days of gardening, the outer rim of Willow is decked out with lush fields and fully-populated greenhouses. The assortment also includes a few patches that play host to huge pumpkins, rutabagas, turnips and other such big roots and gourds, perfect for carving in this fall season. And wouldn't you know it, there's tables nearby with carving kits, all set up and ready to go. From the child-friendly kind to the extra sharp tools for skilled adults, there's a kit for every preference. Star Children who look upon these kits feel a strange inclination to use them, even when they normally wouldn't bother with this.
They take hold of a small saw, a paring knife or even a gutting spoon and get to work on carving a pumpkin, or any other root vegetable that strikes their fancy. The mood becomes intense, like it's a competition. A battle with great stakes. A sour tang is in the air. Chunks of pumpkin begin to fill up the little waste buckets.
But wait! Any pumpkin (or other gourd or root vegetable) that's received a finished face comes to life. It grows until it's larger than the average Star Child, thick roots and vines springing to life along its bottom to serve as limbs. Whatever emotion its expression was originally meant to convey makes no difference; the newly born plant creature is angry. Like Frankenstein, being the creators of these monstrosities does not shield Star Children from hatred and hostility, making them instant targets. Vines attempt to wrap around arms and legs to keep Star Children in place, and don't you regret putting so many sharp angles in their mouths now? If given the chance, these plant monstrosities will attempt to 'eat' whoever they get a hold of. They won't get very far, since they don't have a digestive system, but being forcibly pulled into an enormous, wet pumpkin maw is still not a good time.
As if sensing the need for them, weapons begin to sprout from the ground nearby, similar to ripe carrots. Swords, pitchforks, spears… Even weapons a Star Child may recognize from home. These are free for the taking, and will be a helpful asset when fighting the overgrown, living gourds.
Squash those squashes!
After a few successful days of gardening, the outer rim of Willow is decked out with lush fields and fully-populated greenhouses. The assortment also includes a few patches that play host to huge pumpkins, rutabagas, turnips and other such big roots and gourds, perfect for carving in this fall season. And wouldn't you know it, there's tables nearby with carving kits, all set up and ready to go. From the child-friendly kind to the extra sharp tools for skilled adults, there's a kit for every preference. Star Children who look upon these kits feel a strange inclination to use them, even when they normally wouldn't bother with this.
They take hold of a small saw, a paring knife or even a gutting spoon and get to work on carving a pumpkin, or any other root vegetable that strikes their fancy. The mood becomes intense, like it's a competition. A battle with great stakes. A sour tang is in the air. Chunks of pumpkin begin to fill up the little waste buckets.
But wait! Any pumpkin (or other gourd or root vegetable) that's received a finished face comes to life. It grows until it's larger than the average Star Child, thick roots and vines springing to life along its bottom to serve as limbs. Whatever emotion its expression was originally meant to convey makes no difference; the newly born plant creature is angry. Like Frankenstein, being the creators of these monstrosities does not shield Star Children from hatred and hostility, making them instant targets. Vines attempt to wrap around arms and legs to keep Star Children in place, and don't you regret putting so many sharp angles in their mouths now? If given the chance, these plant monstrosities will attempt to 'eat' whoever they get a hold of. They won't get very far, since they don't have a digestive system, but being forcibly pulled into an enormous, wet pumpkin maw is still not a good time.
As if sensing the need for them, weapons begin to sprout from the ground nearby, similar to ripe carrots. Swords, pitchforks, spears… Even weapons a Star Child may recognize from home. These are free for the taking, and will be a helpful asset when fighting the overgrown, living gourds.
Squash those squashes!
- Willow's communal gardens soon hold patches with huge pumpkins, other gourds and root vegetables. Tables with carving kits appear near them.
- Star Children who look upon these kits feel a strange inclination to use them
- Any pumpkin (or other gourd or root vegetable) that's received a finished face comes to life and attacks.
- The living plants can't actually digest anyone, but they will try to 'eat' Star Children by stuffing them into their mouths anyway.
- Weapons (local and from home) sprout from the ground to help fight the plants off.
monster mash
Peter is close enough he can see Edwin's struggle.]
I hope you have a better plan than I do at this rate. [Anddd he's yanked away. Peter releases an irritated breath, but chases after the kidnapee. Peter is close enough that he makes good time in catching up. He swings his improvised weapon, and whacks the side of the pumpkin hard enough the hollow thump echoes. The thing doesn't burst from the impact, though it seems stunned.] Gourd to meet you, but, I think we have places to be!
[A weak pun at best,
gourd instead of good, peter??but it'll do in a pinch.]no subject
Conveniently, he thinks the spell will work, although he's never tried it before. Doubly convenient, as Peter's bonk to the gourd's head seems to be wearing off, and it only appears even more annoyed by the assault as it redoubles its efforts to drag Edwin into its mouth. He yelps as the vine holding his leg lashes and sends him flying across the room like a toy balloon, body swiping a collection of half-finished pumpkins off their work station, and only when he can feel the tendril on his leg winding closer does he sit up and try to invoke the magic necessary for this spell. ]
Corio involutus aut fune vinctus, vinculum ex elementis quae invoco factum!
[ There's a strange pop! in the air, like a static reaction, like something breaking and then shifting; almost immediately the pumpkin's tendrils recoil from Edwin and start to fold in on the creature itself instead, wrapping around its body like a ball of yarn being rewound. Around and around they go, until they reach the very tip of the thing's head and then, hilariously, the magic closes by tying all the ends in a neat little bow, like a gift prepared for the season. Edwin blinks, then blinks again, then looks down at the book and scans the words until he finds the intended use, and exhales a sound that could be a laugh if you had very loose opinions on what could be considered laughter. ]
Ah, a binding spell for tying dried herbs, I see. I suppose it makes sense to find a book on green witchcraft, but I couldn't have unearthed a magical defence compendium, could I? [ A sigh, and then he seems to realise he's not talking to someone familiar despite the unfortunate cross over in his mind, and looks at this stranger with a strange expression, like he isn't sure what he's supposed to say or do in this situation. (Mostly because he isn't.) ] ... Do you always taunt hungry plant monsters with a play on words?
no subject
It still got the job done, even if it wasn't exactly what you had in mind. [Magic isn't really Peter's forte in the slightest.]
If the chance presents itself, why not-? [He will stand by his puns, thank you.] Are you okay?
no subject
The easiness with which he talks, the relatively handsome face, the way he highlights the bright side in all this, the jokes... It's so familiar that Edwin almost feels flustered by it. Surely, it must be the familiarity alone making him feel like he actually has a heart to flutter in this dead chest of his. ]
Oh, yes, I'm quite alright. [ Edwin clears his throat, brushing down his jacket even though — strangely — there isn't the smallest trace of dust or leaves clinging to him, despite the fact he'd just been dragged across the ground. ] I am a ghost, you see. I have no idea if that thing could do any harm to me, being a magical creature, but I can't feel the pain of being tossed around for long after the fact.
[ He presses his lips together. ] ... Thank you for your assault with the shovel. Very quick thinking.
no subject
Huh- Well, I'm glad you aren't double dead from a pumpkin? Or- triple dead? I don't know if that is even a thing. Getting into the metaphysics of the soul seems like a lot right now- [Peter catches himself on the verge of talking a little too much. These days, he can occasionally stop himself from tangents. He does manage a smile, be it a semi-apologetic one.] Anyway, I'm glad you're okay.
Yeah, no problem. I'm always happy to help.
no subject
For what it's worth, it's a lot simpler than all that. I can't die again now that I'm already dead, but there are certain scenarios that would be uncomfortable. I believe being gnawed on by a pumpkin would count as one of them, though it certainly would be a first.
[ Being eaten by a pumpkin, that is, not being eaten in general. Edwin wishes he didn't know what that felt like. But anyway! ]
You certainly have the instincts for it. I've rarely seen the living jump into the fray with such wild abandon. Do you risk your life for people you've just met very often?
no subject
Uh, occasionally. [Now the careful dance of not outing himself as Spider-Man. A dance he is in fact awful at.] If someone needs help, I'll do what I can for them.
no subject
Very admirable. [ And he means that. The Charlesisms keep on Charlesing, and Edwin is doing his best not to blur the line, but it's pretty tough when the absence of said Charles is so very apparent at his side. ]
You must have your hands quite full in a place like this. I'm sure I'm not the only new arrival who's found themselves in trouble almost immediately.
no subject
Well, if you can help, you should. At least in my mind. [He's gotten less stringent about following that rule to give himself some grace, but... it's still what he believes in.]
Sometimes. Usually, everyone helps each other out. Or tries to with kind of mixed results.
no subject
Mm, that makes me feel a little better about the prospect of being in your position someday. I actually think my assistance would be more harm than good, in that instance.
[ He tilts his head, considering. ]
Unless a magical book about something other than gardening conveniently appears at my feet when I need it.
no subject
I can say, you'll never be alone though. We're meant to actively collabrate, even if the situation itself might suck.
no subject
Collaboration... Well, that is a relief. While I wouldn't consider myself the best team player, I can definitely see the merits of it. Though, it seems I owe my best friend an apology. He did his level best to train me in some physical prowess, but I thought I'd never need it. Perhaps I can find a teacher here to assist with what I now realise I lack.
[ And work on his teamwork in the mean time. ]
no subject
I'm sure there are a few people who can teach you a few things. I'm learning some stuff from Raph. He's a pretty good teacher. [His sort of brother-in-law who is a giant turtle, such is Peter's life.] I know some ways to defend myself, but, not really enough.
[He relies a little too much on his powers, and Peter would rather be prepared in case those go away.]
no subject
[ He dreads to think what might have happened to him, or to Peter, had he not the words for the tying spell in front of him. Most magic wears off of ghosts rather quickly, but Peter is - he assumes, a living, breathing human. Edwin doesn't like to wonder, only because Hell has given him inspiration for that quick imagination of his, so he focuses in on his new companion, instead. ]
Although, for what it's worth, I really do think you were quite impressive with the shovel. [ A small little smile, like his face isn't quite used to using the muscles needed to perform it. And then, prim and proper, he holds out his hand for a shake. ]
Edwin Payne, by the way. Dead Boy Detective.
no subject
He readily meets Edwin's hand for a shake. His grip is firm but polite. The shake is short before Peter withdraws his hand. His smile warms up a little further at the compliment.] Peter Parker, nice to meet you. Thanks, though, I think my swing could use a bit more work.
Dead Boy Detective is a really good title.
no subject
At the returned compliment, if it can be called such, visibly brightens as though Peter had complimented him personally, which is only technically partially true — he and Charles came up with the name together, after all, but his enjoyment comes more from the fact that he's heard quite a lot of criticism from various sources about how silly or immature the name is, so it's nice to hear that Peter is a sensible man who understands his vision. Nice enough, in fact, that it warms through the stiffness of that smile to make it look gentler on his face, and summons a little diffusion of pink in his cheeks. ]
I agree. I'm glad you think so. It's a responsibility I took upon myself, but it plays rather well to my strengths, so I enjoy it. Although, I feel I may be discovering more mysteries here than solving them, at least for the first while.
no subject
The softening of the other man's expression makes Peter wonder how much questioning Edwin gets about the title.]
Yeah, it'll likely be a lot of finding mysteries and answers coming to you later. Or there being interconnected mysteries of some kind. That feels pretty possible here. It just means Thirteen will make you socialize more.
no subject
[ He's been forced to play nice before, and there are many things he'll put himself through in the effort of solving a case. If talking to the population of this place is one way to do that, then he'll do it, singlehandedly or otherwise. But, that does make him think of something: ]
Speaking of answers coming later, I wonder if I could trouble you for your assistance. If you meet anyone new in this place by the name of Charles Rowland, would you let me know? I assume someone who has been here longer than I have will have more connections when it comes to discovering new arrivals.
no subject
[Surprise, everyone is socializing or else. Peter figures the sooner Edwin knows about lore, the better. It will make settling in a bit easier.]
It's no trouble, I'd be happy to help. I haven't met anyone by that name yet, but, people tend to pop up when you least expect them to. I'll ask my boyfriend and his family, they're usually pretty social to varying degrees with people.
no subject
Boyfriend- Ah. Yes.
[ He blinks a few times, his face feeling a little warm. Sorry, Peter, Edwin has only very recently learned that boys liking boys is a fine and normal thing, and that his Edwardian upbringing was entirely incorrect. He's also very recently discovered that he himself is a boy who likes boys, and the boy he likes being the very boy he just asked Peter to look out for. It's been a busy few months for him. ]
Thank you. I appreciate it. And you may pass on my appreciation to your... boyfriend, as well. Though, if Charles does arrive here, I don't suppose it will take long to discover him. [ He smiles, real and fond. ] He has a personality quite impossible to ignore.
no subject
I will. I'm sure Leo wouldn't mind helping. It helps I can bribe him a little as needed. [That smile earns a smile from Peter as well. He isn't sure what the twos relationship is like, but there is a clear connection.]
Makes sense, Thirteen likes finding people with really big personalities. What is he like?
no subject
[ Edwin hasn't often had to describe Charles to anyone; they are usually a pair, after all, and Charles is usually the first one to talk, so there's been little need. Is this the first time he's done so? Surely there's been a time at some point in the last thirty years where he's had to describe Charles to a client... Surely. ]
He's.. loud. Energetic. Friendly. Very kind. He often acts far before he thinks, and rarely listens to reason, but only because his heart speaks much louder than his mind ever will. But that isn't to say he isn't intelligent — he has a knack for recognising patterns and determining motive. He understands how people feel in a way I cannot. He can relate, empathise. He cares, even about those he has just met, as though they are his responsibility to protect. He's funny. He's creative. He's--
[ Edwin blinks, suddenly realising that his hand has risen to his own chest to press over his heart, his eyes going unfocused as he gazes across the greenhouse. He has certainly said enough — perhaps too much — and clears his throat, a mite embarrassed. ]
He's... the best person I know. I am quite at a loss without him.
no subject
It reminds Peter of how he used to describe MJ, how he describes Leo now when asked. Peter could be assuming, though. Who knows what other peoples relationships are like.]
I'll be sure to keep an eye out for him. Thank you for telling me about him. Seems like we could be friends. [He pauses before adding.] You're included too- I should've phrased that better.
no subject
He ducks his chin a little, in a half-formal bowing of his head, smiling in a way that reads pleased, and a little shy. ]
Yes. And the same to you, as well. [ He's so awkward it's palpable, but he's trying his best. ] In some ways, you do remind me of him. He likes to be a hero, and you did save me from a possessed vegetable.
no subject
Hopefully you don't need any more rescue from possessed vegetables in the near future, so, this will be my only hero moment. [Peter jokes lightly back, trying to deflect from the truth of the matter.] If either of you guys do need any help settling in, feel free to ask. I've been here a few years.