folkmeme | February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme

Entry tags:

*tdm

February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme

February-March 2024 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 canon items from homes 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.

[ Soon You'll Get Better ★ Netfox & Chill]

Soon You'll Get Better . ★

Content Warnings: Power Nullification, Potential Kidnapping, Potential Animal Spirit Harm

The island of Never Fade can no longer be seen in the sky from elsewhere in Folkmore, enclosed within a large purple tinted cloud. Within that cloud, the island is under water—a dreamy purple underwater that all Star Children can breath in if they breath and function in if they function on electricity, so on and so forth. It causes no more difficulties than reduced visibility and greater effort to walk. It's even possible to swim underneath the island, so long as Star Children make sure to make landfall before they get too exhausted and… well… fall.

Friendnapped

The purple water has streaks of silver shot throughout it. Beware, these silver streaks neutralize powers, canon and role abilities alike, for at least an hour. A neutralized Legend won't be able to sense others in danger. A neutralized Myth won't sense danger coming. A neutralized Familiar won't be able to shapeshift to help others. That may set of a danger alarm but not any spidey-sense. These silver streaks are harbingers of spirits recently returned to Folkmore thanks to donations at the Shattered Spoon Shrine: lonely sharks.

The source of the silver streaks in the water, these silver gray sharks swim up and gently bite people. These bites make people go instantly limp but otherwise don't do any damage. They won't even break the skin. Once limp, the lonely sharks take their ~~prey~~ new best friends down to a cave or grotto off the underside of Never Fade. These caves are full of silver water, saturated by the magic of lonely sharks, and the entrances are covered by a thin silver barrier that prevents Star Children from leaving. That means should a Star Child track down where someone is being kept, should they enter its home, they too will be trapped there.

Being held by the lonely sharks isn't the worst experience. These spirits will try to please their new friends, giving them their favorite foods and perhaps even an item from home. This may even be a weapon or magical item. Mind, the magic of these items will be neutralized in the shark's cave. It is possible to fight a lonely shark, even to kill one, but that will only be a temporary measure. Star Children will remain trapped and have to wait for the lonely shark to revive—with even more golden cracks than before. In the end, the only way to escape are hugs, cuddles, and other measures of friendship. Once all the golden cracks have thinned and disappeared, Star Children can leave.

Spread the Love

By the time mid-March comes around, most of the lonely sharks have been fully healed and no longer kidnap Star Children. Instead they swim the None of the Above tunnels below the island's surface, where they provide guidance to Star Children who ask them how to get somewhere. If Star Children have nowhere particular in mind, the lonely sharks encourage Star Children to make their way toward the Shattered Spoon Shrine.

The lonely sharks still create silver streaks in the water that neutralize powers, but they will accompany Star Children and warn them of some of the dangers. When voices call their names, the sharks will snuggle up against Star Children to provide comfort. They're devoted to helping Star Children reach the shrine. Once there, they will encourage the Star Children to donate Lore to one of the broken spoons there, each spoon representing spirits who have left, spirits who became shells of themselves from lack of lore, or ghosts.

Star Children who donate Lore will find their companion lonely shark presenting them with an item from home. This may even be a weapon or magical item. Mind, the magic will be neutralized until the Star Child has spent at least an hour away from the silvery water lonely sharks create. Lonely sharks will happily spend as much time with Star Children as they're willing but will show the way back to the surface either via LIM (Lavender Institute of the Mind) or the None of the Above tunnels.

Never Fade is underwater within a cloud.
Silver streaks in the water neutralize powers, both canon and Role based.
Lonely sharks kidnap Star Children and take them to caves on the underside of Never Fade.
Star Children who find those caves are trapped too.
Escape by hugs, cuddles, and being friends.
By the second month, most lonely sharks are healed and found in the tunnels.
Lonely sharks guide Star Children to the Shattered Spoon Shrine to donate Lore to help others.
Either when captive or once donating Lore, lonely sharks will give Star Children an item from home.

Netfox & Chill . ★

Content Warnings: Forced Relocation, Potential Secret Revelation, Potential Coerced Physical Intimacy

With the wide range of Star Children from many different worlds, sharing similarities, it's no surprise when moments of deja vu happen. That sense of the familiar with the new, the sense of something that happened before without quite being able to place it… or perhaps it being impossible. Regardless, when that connective moment happens, the Star Children involved are transported to a windmill home from the Cloud Colonies. They land together on a couch before a large television with all the makings of a movie night. There could be wine and cheese. There could be soda and popcorn. There could be tea or other hot beverages. There's a cozy blanket (only one). The movie has already been selected, and it starts playing.

Headliner

The movie is roughly based off one of the Star Children's lives, specifically for the Star Child that experience deja vu and triggered this experience. Regardless of the moment of deja vu, the plot of the movie is based off of some real or potential relationship—romantic or queer platonic—in their life. That Star Child can recognize some similarities immediately. If they had any doubts, they get a text message on their relic as the movie starts:

You need to get closer with your companion(s). You can either talk about what happened (or didn't) or not talk wink wink about it with them. The choice is yours (and theirs)! Have fun!

It's possible to ignore the message, at least for a while. The longer the movie plays, the more apparent it becomes that it's based off that Star Child. The starring character's clothes will change to resemble theirs. The cadence of their voice will shift to imitate theirs. Their facial features will shift. These changes will become more and more heavy handed as the movie goes on until even the most clueless companion will have real trouble not picking up on it. It may get harder and harder to distract them from talking about it! There's no pause button, and the only way to mute the movie is to *ahem* distract themselves from it until it becomes an indistinct background murmur.

Remake

If any Star Children thought this experience might have been a Valentine's Day prank, they'll be poorly mistaken come mid-March when it continues with a twist. The movie less closely resembles any one Star Child's life (whew?)… because it blends the lives of all those present together into a new story. One character is based off each Star Child, and it fits the other Star Child into the role of someone who was or could have been emotionally and/or physically intimate with them. If they had any doubts, each Star child gets a text message on their relic as the movie starts:

You need to get closer with your companion(s). You can either talk about what happened (or didn't) or not talk wink wink about it with them. The choice is yours (and theirs)! Have fun!

Not only does each Star Child have to decide what approach they want to take, but the other Star Child may pick up on what they're putting down! One Star Child may want to talk it out, but the other one desperately doesn't. Oh noes, how shall it be resolved? Well, the longer it takes, the more clearly the film demonstrates one way they could resolve it—a fictionalized ending, happy or sad or bittersweet or anything else, between the characters as they more closely resemble those watching them on the sofa. No one's free until they have a heart to heart or a something to something else. Any physical intimacy can do.

Experience a moment of deja vu and get transported to a cozy living room in a Cloud Colony windmill.
For the first month, the 'host' Star Child gets a text letting them know to get intimate—emotionally or physically.
For the second month, all Star Children get that text.
For the first month, the movie is based on the 'host' Star Child's experiences, what did or could have happened. As the movie progresses, it becomes more and more obvious that's the case.
For the second month, the movie is a story blending Star Children's experiences together. That too will become more obvious over time.
Some form of intimacy is the only way out!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[So only days before their paths cross. It's almost offensive, Thirteen. Definitely feels intentional. Separated means taken by the Iron Shepherds, then. He doesn't blame Fjord for looking so unhappy about it. It wasn't a good time for anybody. (Except perhaps him, to an extent. He was getting exactly what he needed.)]

That... makes sense, then. [It really doesn't, but it sure is something.] That explains it. I joined up with the Mighty Nein while you were gone.

[At least it makes sense to someone.]

They're... good then? The others? [Tone carefully casual as he asked, but so fraught to anyone who knew him even a little. He remembered what he'd heard in the wagons, the sounds of a fight, the shouting and screaming. That they'd continued on boded ill for them. Fjord couldn't help but worry. But if Caduceus was with them... surely it hadn't gone too badly?

That was one lie he really couldn't make himself swallow.]

They're... alright, yeah. Holding together.

[He sure as heck is not going to bring up the Mollymauk situation. Even if he'd been there to see it, it isn't his story to tell. He never knew the man.]

They'll be much better off to have you all back, though.

Well... good they're doing well at least.

[He failed his perception check, and so is entirely unaware that there's something Caduceus isn't saying. Probably for the best, honestly.]

Yeah, bet they're missin' Jester and Yasha somethin' fierce.

[Definitely for the best. Caduceus still is not so good at lying.]

And yourself, of course.

[You missed a name in there, buddy.]

[Pfff, as if.]

Anyone else show up here?

[Brushing right by that correction at the speed of sound!]

[Oh Fjord. That's extra sad.]

Caleb is here. We've claimed a cottage in a housing district called Gram, in Willow. You're welcome to join us if you like.

[He's good at that!]

Caleb... hm. Might come around and check in. Be good to know he's doin' okay.

[And honestly of all of them, Caleb is a suspicious, cagey sonovabitch. So if he of all people trusts Caduceus, then there must be something to the firbolg's claims.]

[He feels somewhat relieved, even if the whole situation is still very... unfortunate. But at least Caleb can vouch for him.]

He's doing his best. Burying himself in the library, mostly.

[That earns a low chuckle from him, nodding his agreement.]

Yeah, somehow that doesn't surprise me much.

No, it didn't surprise me, either.

[He chuckles quietly, a deep rumbling sound.]

Being new to this world, you must have questions. Anything I can help you with?

[Fjord finds himself, despite wariness, losing some bit of tension at that sound from the firbolg. He's got a soothing voice, much as the half-orc hates to admit it just yet.]

I think the problem is I've got way too many questions. Place is so wildly outside my wheelhouse, you know?

I understand, I found myself awfully overwhelmed at first, too. But it's not too complicated once you settle, and I've got lots of time to spare.

[Even if he had plans he would cancel them all for Fjord, really.]

Well... I appreciate that.

[And even if he's still wary about what Caduceus wants out of helping him, he's not going to turn down the help.]

Where do you think'd be the most important place for me to start with all of this then?

I suppose you ought to start with the most obvious- the role you're meant to carry here. You alright with the whole...?

[He gestures broadly to the ears and tail.]

I...

[A faint huff of breath as a lift of his hand, initially to pick anxiously at the stump of a tusk, was redirected to one of the ears he was sporting.]

Not real sure. I mean the role isn't so bad, just... not thrilled about the physical changes. Bit unsettlin' to anyone I suppose.

[Nope we're not going into it, we're not digging into why the changes might bother Fjord specifically what with his self-image issues, that is too close to emotional honesty and we're not about that in this house!]

Not the first time I've been called to be support.

You're well suited for it. At least to start with.

[The Fjord of his time is more leadership material; Caduceus would have expected that one to be a Legend. This younger, less experienced self... Familiar does feel more apt. Judging by the features, his form is some kind of... dog? Wolf? Curious.]

The changes can take a little time to adjust to, but I have faith that you'll manage just fine.

[Even though this firbolg was a total stranger to him, for all he claimed to know him? That comment definitely hit different. Fjord not even clocking the way he seemed to draw up a bit, ears pricking lightly with a faint sway of his tail.

Expectations were one thing. Vandran had confidence in him but it was more in the expectation that he'd either keep up or eat shit. Caduceus saying he had faith in him... should be the same thing but it just... it was different.]

Well... not like I've got another option do I? [Covering that response with a wryly amused response.]

[He sees you, Fjord. He sees those wheels turning. The tail wag is cute, that'll take some getting used to.]

I suppose that's so. Still, at least you're not alone in this. All of us have something new to deal with.

[Caduceus' changes are perhaps less visible, since Fjord isn't familiar with him, though there is a floral vine encircling the back of his head, woven together and hovering subtly above his hair. A very wild halo, so to speak.]

I mean, you've got a point there...

[And thinking of it that way did ease some of the pressure. Fjord would still feel that need to keep up or excel if he could, but the idea that he wasn't the only one still getting used to this all made it a bit less harrowing.

And while he didn't know much about Caduceus specifically, he's fairly certain that your average firbolg doesn't have a flowery halo like that.]

That ah... plant halo part of your whole thing here?

[Caduceus reaches back, idly scratching beneath the vine near his ear.]

Ah, yeah. Been there since I got here. I don't feel it much, so I forget it's there sometimes. [He shrugs. Somehow the cleric of a nature god isn't so bothered about growing plants on his head, big shock.] There's wings, too, but those I'm not used to yet.

[Said wings are not visible right now.]

[Well at least it doesn't bother him. It's definitely more 'showy' in a way than the ears and tail Fjord's been saddled with, but the idea of these changes not getting in the way is a bit reassuring.]

It's kinda weird... but also seems to suit you? [His tone was wry, clearly aware of how odd it was to say that to someone he just met, but it was true enough all the same.]

And if you've got wings, you're definitely hidin' em pretty good.

[Suits him... well, he can't deny that. He'd had a floral and leaf aspect to him long before coming to this place. More than once he's been tempted to try and brew tea out of his own flowers. (Whether that is more or less weird than dead-people tea is up for debate. They are nice flowers, though.) As for his wings...]

Yeah, guess they're a little shy. [He sounds amused.] Still getting the hang of doing this, but I can pop them out-

[His brows furrow with effort, and after a moment a pair of long, gossamer and iridescent wings unfurl behind him, like the wings of a dragonfly after hatching from its cocoon. They gleam in shades of blues and white, still full in their winter season.]

[He wasn't sure what he was expecting, really. Feathered or bat wings tend to be what most stories of wings focus on, especially given most people with wings tend towards one of those options back home. Maybe grey wings with pink banding or something. Dove wings or something of the sort.

The unfurling of insect wings in all their rainbow-flashing glory was a surprise, the half-orc's ears perking slightly as he took in the sight.]

Not what I was expectin' but the colors are real nice. Makes me think of some sorta fairy or somethin'.

Fairy wings, huh. [He was thinking bugs on account of his staff, but fairy's not far off either. Who can really say what Thirteen was thinking?] Suppose it fits well enough for a firbolg.

[Fey giants and all.]

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