TEST DRIVE MEME #13

[abraxasmods]

Test Drive Meme

Welcome to the Test Drive Meme for Abraxas! This meme is run a little bit differently than most in that you'll be asked to choose one of the three different arrival scenarios below for your character to take. If you have any questions about this mechanic or anything else related to the TDM, please take a look at the questions below or ask one of your own under the Questions header below. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.

Below are some links to information you may find useful. Our Setting pages have information about the world itself as well as current events for each nation, while our Game History page outlines the game's story so far.

Setting | Game History | NPCs | Arcana
You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads.

The TDM is forward-dated to when the summonings occur in-game (when applications are accepted), at the start of August.

Summoning

You awaken suspended in the abyss, silent darkness stretching out in all directions. If you try to yell, you'll find that the sound doesn't carry. If you try to move, you'll find it's impossible to tell whether or not you're actually getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying last time you remember being awake, your hand will only touch bare skin.

You're naked and floating helplessly through the void, and what little air you have in your lungs is running out.

There's a pinprick of light that almost looks like a faraway star but as it grows it becomes clear that it's actually quite close. It's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.

A hand plunges through and you realize water is just what it is. Whether you take hold of the hand or not it will grab you and yank you up through the surface, lifting you out until you're sprawled on solid ground - still unclothed.

Arrival

You'll find yourself summoned to one of the following three major nations: the extravagant and magical Kingdom of Thorne, the bustling and advanced Free Cities, or the tightknit and faith-driven rural community of the Solvunn Commune.

If you had any powers, they feel unusually weak. Attempts to use magic or enhanced strength or powers of any sort fizzle out without any effect, but they don't feel completely gone, either. After a week or so, your abilities will return.

When you gather your bearings at last, you look up into a series of unfamiliar faces...and equally unfamiliar surroundings.

Welcome to Thorne

Set into an indent on a marble slab behind the fountain is a card bearing the image of one of the Arcana. An apprentice mage - the one whose hand lifted you out of the fountain - brushes the water off on their robes and runs back to join a group of three others, who all stare intently at another mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. The man peers up at you for a moment and starts flipping through the book.

"One moment," he says, not bothering to look up from the tome. He looks tired. "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. We’ll explain everything in a moment, but for now, please calm down. You’re completely fine."

Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the pages, until he stops on one specific passage, stares at it for a moment, and then nods, satisfied. "Excellent." He motions for one of the young apprentice mages over. "Settle our guest in, please. I don't have all day."

The apprentice hurries forward with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals. With a wave of their hand, the clothes reshape to fit you perfectly. Once you're dressed, the apprentice leads you into the hallways of Castle Thorne, prattling on about the kingdom, names of royals and nobles, and, of course, the reason why you're here: the world itself is in great peril, and tales of your exploits have reached far and wide across universes. If asked about these exploits, the apprentice will simply smile and shrug. The High Mage was happy to see you and that's good enough.

◎ Surroundings

Castle Thorne is where not only royals and members of the court reside, but includes the surrounding city itself. Now in summer, the weather warm and mild. To anyone used to hotter climates, it might even feel somewhat cool. In the distance, you can see snow-covered mountain peaks that are beginning to melt, and the gardens are in bloom. The castle is enchanted to be at a comfortable temperature.

As you walk or look around, you take in some of what's going on around you:

• The North Wing, devoted to housing the Summoned, is tightly guarded against outsiders. As one of the Summoned, you're free to come and go. The guards aren't keeping anyone prisoner. They're there to protect you, and they take their jobs seriously.


• Apprentices, kitchen staff, guards - everyone seems to be bustling and busy. Though some tension is in the air when locals debate an execution involving the gods in Solvunn or the recent emergence of the Fey, there's also a buzz of excitement from the Crown Sprint - where a noble steed named Summer Eclipse and her rider Maertisa Cassidy were declared this year's winner.


• Life in the Castle has chiefly resumed, but the permanent increase in guards indicates a crisis in the past. There are also rumors of unusual rifts and creatures appearing out of nowhere.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the land, Castle Thorne and its surrounding city have much for you to indulge in.

Equestrian Exhibition
Hot on the heels of the extravagant Crown Sprint, Castle Thorne continues the celebration by displaying its finest horses. These include the Haylean Warmblood - bred for Hayle's mountainous cold regions - and the oldest breed in Thorne, the Circinean, named after Thorne's original settlement by Lake Circinus. You can get riding lessons from participants in the Crown Sprint, visit or volunteer to take care of the horses, or help the children who've arrived to take part in smaller pony races. While the children just want to have fun, many hail from noble and aristocratic families, so you find yourself witnessing a certain temperament from their parents...who are significantly more competitive and cutthroat than their kids.

Magic Lessons
Regular magic lessons are held by apprentice mages as part of their training, usually involving learning to cast a small spell. Join if you wish! The spell they will be teaching is conjuring a modest defensive light shield that can protect against a single magical blow. The spell relies on Academic Magic which involves a few words said correctly. You'll likely need a few lessons to grasp it unless you're well-versed in magic already. The class of fresh-faced students means there's a constant bright explosion of light coming from the practice room as the spells fail. It isn't dangerous, but it can be annoying.

Occupying Octopi
Due to the unusual rifts last month, a few octopi have made their way into Castle Thorne. These cephalopods have been spotted lurking in the baths, hiding in pools and lakes, and even taking a dip in the kitchen's water basin. Mages are desperate to catch the loose octopi so that they can return the animals to the ocean. The mages will give you a simple enchanted tracking orb to help locate them, but octopi have a habit of being elusive and squeezing into tight spaces - so retrieving one might take some innovation! Maybe it'll go smoother with a partner?

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Castle Thorne, the portal is a short walk around the back of the castle. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready to rest, you're shown to the North Wing, which has been set up as living quarters for you and your fellow newcomers. There are four people to a room, but each generously-sized bed has opaque curtains that can be drawn around it. You can meet your roommates here and discuss your shared situation (those who were previously brought in may have a great deal of information to tell you).

Although you can leave the castle, you can't leave its surrounding city with the exception of entering Nott via portal in order to assist with rebuilding or visiting Nocwich. Borders are especially well-guarded right now due to the recent attacks. Besides, Castle Thorne gives you everything you need: fine clothes, great food and wine, massive libraries, and all the magic and knowledge you could want. Isn't that plenty? You won't be given money as you're provided for, so if you want to do some personal spending later, you'll have to find a job in the city on your own.

Welcome to the Free Cities

Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a hard floor of dull ruddy stone. Men and women in unfamiliar uniforms of brown and red leather stand in a semi-circle around a small pool of water - the very pool you were just pulled from. The water is still now, rimmed in pale gold tiles with odd symbols etched into them. Across it is a raised pedestal with a card bearing an Arcana symbol.

A guard covers you with a simple robe and returns to their place in the semi-circle. Before you stands another woman, dressed in a more elaborate and decorated uniform than the others. A sword rests at her hip. She carries an air of authority as she approaches you with a nod and a warm smile. "Sorry about the circumstances. Take a minute, catch your breath. I'm Prime Minister Marlo Reiner and you're in The Free Cities. That nice lady over there will explain everything to you and get you settled."

A robed mage off to the side approaches to help you up. She brings you out of the cave through a corridor that angles upwards until you emerge in what looks like some kind of storage facility. You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military base on the outskirts of the major city of Cadens. You're told the world is in delicate and dangerous times, and you're needed to help. You're important and they're very grateful you're here.

◎ Surroundings

While you're currently at the outpost just outside of the city proper, Cadens on the whole is a large bustling city. Temperatures are sweltering, and the climate is hot and dry. Even the summer nights are relatively warm. Look to the west and you'll see a long stretch of desert wasteland. This is the infamous Badlands. The soldiers don't recommend going out there unprepared - you're likely to face a slow death to the elements or be eaten. Reaching Cadens is possible by wagon, a trip of about 2 hours each way. You're asked to return by sundown for your own safety... but no one will chase after you if you don't.

You'll be given a military style uniform with your Arcana stitched on it where a formal rank would normally be. As you walk or look around, you take in some of what's going on around you:

• Libertas shows signs of having suffered a devastating attack, but the majority of it has been rebuilt including a new garden park memorial that commemorates the lives lost. Chatter has shifted from the fire attacks to the gruesome execution involving the gods in Solvunn, as well as the Summoned's invitation to visit the Feywilds last month. Scholars and laymen alike can be heard debating the nature of gods, men, and the Fey.


• From Cadens to Aquila to Libertas, the streets are guarded. Soldiers patrol all areas, especially those typically occupied by the Summoned. This includes a particular inn and tavern in the heart of Cadens - The Sarstina - where the Summoned like you are often found. It's evident they're here for your protection rather than to prevent you from moving freely. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is cheery. Many have just returned from a fulfilling trip into the desert known as The Firebrand, where hobbyists celebrate innovation, independence, and unique inventions.


• Life in the Free Cities has chiefly resumed, but the permanent increase in guards indicates a crisis in the past. There are also rumors of unusual rifts and creatures appearing out of nowhere.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the land, the barracks and Cadens have much for you to indulge in.

Training Grounds
Non-lethal training weapons and obstacle courses are set up for anyone to use. The soldiers will be watching, and if you catch their attention they might approach you and encourage you to enlist. You're free to invite other new arrivals to spar, but be sure to keep things friendly and avoid trouble. Discipline is key in the barracks. If you're especially competitive, the soldiers will sometimes hold impromptu obstacle races with informal wagers made. They'll be happy to race against even the most unlikely of opponents, and you'll be judged more on your spirit rather than your skill. If you really impress them, they'll even buy you a drink.

Marble Engravings
A researcher named Esi Hollandse has unveiled her newest creation: a handheld "laser" tool powered by New Magic meant to help sculptors sculpt stone. Come visit the beautifully displayed marble sculptures created using this new technique, which allows for more refined carving techniques. Want to try it for yourself? Why not! With some guidance, you can create your own etchings on a small stone block and take home your newest piece of art.

Swan Song
Due to the unusual rifts last month, several swans have invaded Cadens and are now becoming a menace, stealing bread, grains, and desserts from market stalls and shops. You might come across a shopkeeper chasing a swan after it stole their cheese or a harried attendant at the museum shooing a bird away from their precious artifacts. Perhaps you could lend a hand? Or, you could find yourself an unsuspecting victim of a swan. Any captured swans can be brought to Portam Hall and delivered to one of the government departments there, though you might have to stand in line while grasping an unhappy bird. Be careful not to let it escape!

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Cadens, the portal is a short walk away from the center of the city. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready to turn in, the barracks are waiting for you. They have a communal bathing room at the end of the hall, with curtains that can be pulled around the individual raised round tubs for privacy. Each barracks room is rather sparse. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You can greet your roommates here, most of whom will be new arrivals, as well.

If you plan on making use of your assigned quarters, you'll have your basic needs met: uniforms, a roof, bland food from the mess hall, and access to the training grounds. You won't be paid unless you formally enlist with the army. The longer you take advantage of the barracks, the greater the pressure to enlist. Some soldiers will start to see you as a freeloader if you refuse to join them yet continue to use their resources. If you're set on not enlisting, you can always strike out on your own in Cadens - but you won't be provided for and handouts are rare. You'll have to work to earn every copper and loaf of bread. Whether that's honest work is up to you.

Welcome to Solvunn

You're in a grassy clearing in the midst of a circle of large stone slabs stacked to look like doorways. In the middle is the same glimmering pool you were just pulled from. An elderly mage stands before an ornate altar. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. "I detect no ill will from the gods," he says. "It seems we've been blessed with success."

Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased. One offers you some clothes of leather and knitted wool that seem to fit you perfectly. A rough-looking man steps forward once you're dressed and motions with his head outside of the stone circle. His speech is informal, his consonants harsh.

"Hold your horses, I can see all those questions coming about! Rowan March, at your service. I'm one of the council members of Solvunn. There's a lot to discuss, but it's best talked about over a hot meal." He leads you to a horse-drawn carriage and helps you up into the back. He talks the entire ride to the center of the Primary Settlement. You're told that the world hangs upon the brink of disaster and that there are those in this world that are happy to see it fall to ruin with their meddling.

You're important. The gods have graced them with your presence. They're delighted you're here.

◎ Surroundings

The Primary Settlement is full of greenery, blessed with the fresh ocean breeze. Winds are gentle and the temperatures are comfortably warm with light humidity. The scent of wildflowers fills the air. The shops, farms, and homes around you are all modest and unassuming. You get the sense that the people here prefer to blend in with their neighbors than stand out.

As you walk or look around, you'll be greeted warmly, even eagerly...though there's an edge of awestruck nervousness to some. Though the settlement is often quiet and calm, there's still plenty to take in:

• Shops and stalls in Solvunn are booming with the fruits of spring and summer. Vendors are eager to barter goods and are in the habit of including extra gifts with any purchase or trades made. If you are looking for a good deal, now is the time!


• Those in Solvunn are no longer discussing the execution of former Council member Josselyn Creed, but the ashes of her bones remain on display by an altar in the Primary Settlement - a reminder and a warning not to stray from the flock. As well, there's curious chatter surrounding the Summoned's invitation to visit the Feywilds last month.


• Life in the Solvunn Commune has chiefly resumed, but the focus on appeasing the gods and increased shrine offerings indicate many have not forgotten the troubles of the past. There are also rumors of unusual rifts and creatures appearing out of nowhere.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the commune, the commune and its settlements have much for you to indulge in.

Goat Racing
That's right. One of Solvunn's fine traditions is its regular goat races. Meant to be a bit of informal fun, there's a pen of goats where you can choose a goat, get a number, and simply join one of the starting lines. These goats are not trained so the race is less of a race and more pure chaos as the goats do what they please. Whoever eventually wrangles their goat over the finish line wins. The only rule is that you can't pick up or physically pull your goat, but you're free to cajole, lure, or even use a bit of magic to get yours to the finish line first. Winners receive small prizes of cheese, ale, wood charms, woven baskets, and other similar tokens.

Shrine Supervision
During the recent Summer Equinox celebrations, the youth have a habit of holding their own tradition called the Guardian Séance. These unsanctioned rites are quickly stopped by Commune Elders, but there's been some damage and messes that need to be put right. Elders have asked you to supervise the adolescents who've been assigned to clean up the shrines and restore the damage they've caused. Beware of snakes in the grass! You're also welcome to help the teens with their task. Once completed, Elders will invite you to make an offering in the formal traditions of High Magic.

Bird Baths
Due to the unusual rifts last month, and with the convincing of a few of the Summoned, Solvunn has agreed to raise some of the unique pack birds on one of their farmlands. Unfortunately, the week's downpour has caused them to become very muddy. Desperate farmhands have asked for your help giving the birds a good wash to clean their dirty feathers. You can also help feed them grain and prevent any jealous goats from headbutting or fighting these docile birds.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Solvunn, the portal is a short walk away. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready for your bed, you're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. The living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be: the local families would also be happy to host you in their home. In return, you'll be expected to contribute to their household, taking upon daily chores and repairs. While money has its uses, many establishments and craftsmen are happy to barter with your time or skill for their goods. You'll find your willingness to trade and your friendliness with the natives more valuable than gold.

You can even leave for the other two settlements if you like, but you're encouraged to remain in the Primary Settlement. Just be sure you have an invitation to the Secondary Settlement. There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective.

Questions and Answers

If after reading these you're still unsure about anything, or your question wasn't covered, please feel free to hit up our Questions thread below!

How many slots are open?

Please check the Taken page for how many player, franchise, and canon slots are available. Activity check will be processed before applications open, so the count may change between now and then. Existing players can apply for a second character without restriction.

How do I choose a scenario for my character?

Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Which faction your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their personal morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into any one of the situations.

What happens if my character refuses to comply with the NPCs?

They will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and the faction leaders will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, they will be warned once that everyone is willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight they will make good on that promise.

My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the cities, murdering the NPCs, etc.), what would happen to them?

Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other NPCs would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude and intervention from various NPC guards, and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Abraxans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.

Is the power loss for characters permanent?

No, but it does take a week or so for their powers to be back in full, and certain powers (determined on a case-by-case basis) may require nerfs. If your character has world-breaking powers, please discuss with the mods what modifications may be necessary.

Can my character leave the bounds of the nation?

In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In the Free Cities, they can take a trip from the outpost to the nearest main city, Cadens. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.

Can my character eventually change nations or kingdoms?

Yes, but tensions between the major nations are at an all-time high. Doing so is possible, but will require some plotting and discussion with the mods once you're in-game!

How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?

This choice will determine where your character initially lives as well as the bias of the information they receive from NPCs (although other PCs can and most likely will give it to them a bit more straight). It will also affect your character's day-to-day life and development. Characters who seek technological advancements or combat will find more of it in the Free Cities while those keen on court politics and learning magic will have the most access to it in Thorne. Anyone who wishes to uncover the secrets of the Old Gods and forest mysteries will best do so in Solvunn.

This is not to say characters can't do these things from another faction - with effort and the help of friends, anything is possible! Don't get too anxious about your choice. This is just one of many, and every character in each scenario can work their way towards many individual goals and outcomes. Additionally, once in-game the Horizon will provide characters with a way to easily find cross-faction CR.

Are TDM threads mandatory for my application?

No, you may use other samples, but we encourage you to post to the TDM and get a feel for this game and its mechanics before you join. If you do not have a TDM thread you will still need to choose one of the three scenarios on your application.

What if I haven't settled on a sign yet?

Your Arcana sign won't have an immediate impact on your character beyond them seeing it on themselves or being told what it is by the locals. You're welcome to disregard those aspects in your prompts or try out different signs.

Can my character go to the Horizon?

First time visitors to the Horizon must be taken there by other characters, through either shared meditation or a physical journey to the Singularity, and all first-timers experience memory loss. For the purposes of the TDM, we suggest against using the Horizon.

If you're interested in threading with characters outside your borders on the TDM, you can utilize the Nocwich prompt which will allow all characters to meet in person regardless of arrival scenario.

What about making use of the network?

Much like Horizon they would need to be introduced to it by another PC, as no NPCs would be aware of the network or be able to access it. Because of this, we would advise against using this mechanic for TDM top-levels.

Can I try out more than one arrival scenario on the same TDM?

Yes, although only threads taking place in the arrival scenario you formally choose upon applying can count as canon. However, you're welcome to try out as many as you like on the TDM.

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Comments

[nomnoms]

[ Nanaue is quick to snatch both for himself, splaying his legs so that he can lay the paper on the ground to draw. It's kind of difficult, he has to be very gentle with the charcoal so he doesn't puncture the paper on the uneven surface. It might be surprising how careful and gentle he is with both. ]

Me draw here. Live here now.

[ Drawing underwater is hard... he has not actually attempted to do this. But it might be more impressive not to say so. ]

Where you draw?

[ Because that is the obvious next question! ]

Kelson Haldane | Deryni | The Tower

[kingforboth]

Castle Thorne - Exploring/North Wing

This was lovely. This was really, really lovely. It wasn't as if his own kingdom was in turmoil, but he was now being asked to help save someone else's. With any luck, saving this place wouldn't doom his own. It wasn't as if Gwynnedd wasn't still reeling from attempted regicide from within their own royal family, or that Kelson still had royal hostages from hostile kingdoms under guard. It wasn't as if he had just finished executing his own cousin. Honestly, give him time to at least rinse the vomit out of his mouth.

"It's usually considered polite to ask for assistance first in lieu of kidnapping." But, it was met on deaf ears. Surely, anyone who considered this a logical form of assistance didn't feel exactly bereft by their actions.

The guards didn't surprise Kelson. The amount of guards, however, did. Kelson looked around, trying to be nonchalant, eyeing the different corners and levels where he would have posted additional, out of sight guards in addition to the seen ones. Something was wrong here. And so, he listened to staff talk, being able for once in his life to be unobtrusive and unnoticed. Here, he was not king.
And then, he heard something it seemed was universal. Executions. Kelson took a deep breath, running his fingers through his black hair, loose now that he had been taken without a tie. Was he getting nauseous again?

"Execution? For what?" Hopefully it wasnt littering.

Castle Thorne - Libraries

Kelson had discovered the libraries. And now he was never leaving. At the moment the eighteen year old king was thumbing through a history of the royal family, trying to put together genealogies and some semblance of background for what was going on.
And he was just a giant history geek. When he got tired of that subject, he'd switch to books on magic, jotting down notes and thoughts, and brushing his hair out of his face until he found a damn hair tie.

Occasionally, he'd close his eyes, fingers to bridge of his nose, trying to steady the headache and dizziness he was feeling from having his own magic dampened, at least temporarily.

Finally, he turned to someone near by.

"Is magic accepted equally in the other native territories of this world?"

Honestly, it was baffling. But his own world had a rather dark history with magic. It still amazed him no one had tried to burn or torture anyone here for the mere use.

Nocwich

Using portals was not unusual for Kelson. Using them so openly was. So please excuse him if he looked a little wary, or convinced someone was going to come at him screaming 'heretic' at the top of their lungs. So, he was uncomfortable, both at the rampant use of magic, and Nocwich itself. He was used to Thorne. Or places like Thorne. Like his own kingdom. It was familiar. Easy. He could make it work, slip into roles accordingly. Nocwich, however, was different. Actually it was completely terrifying.

"I get the feeling if any of my guards or advisors knew about this, they would be very, very upset with me."

Kelson felt like he was going to get knifed at any moment. But, then again, he was also used to not being able to go to the privy by himself. Freedom took getting used too.

He poked around various shops and stalls, before finally settling into the hot springs. Like werewolves, Kelson is absolutely fine with nudity. Unless that nudity involves women. So you may see him suddenly turn around, his face bright red.

"Oh. God. I am so sorry, my lady."

Gambling Den - Spoilers for early to mid game.

[ramuhed]

( It's impossible to miss Benedikta sitting at the bar. Cid would know that silhouette anywhere and for the first time in this strange place he hesitates. Benedikta shouldn't be here all things considered, but then neither should he by that same notion. Things had gone awry in their world when it came to the other woman, horribly so, but Cid understands that he had done wrong by her too. Leaving Benedikta behind had been a guilt that followed Cid every step of the way and he rubs his jawline mulling over the next steps. Guilt or no, Benedikta is a formidable person, not to mention dominant, and Cid steels himself before walking over.

This would probably get ugly but he can't seem to help himself as he takes the empty seat nearby, still in the military uniform that had been provided earlier in the day. )

You look like you've settled already.

norwich - hot springs; spoilers likely

[glaciare]

( Jill huffs a soft laugh as she sinks into the water — there’s a hiss of steam as she does so, and if Clive’s quick enough he’ll catch the thin film of ice on her skin cracking and breaking. )

You look comfortable, I almost hate to disturb you.

( Settling next to him with her back to the ledge, Jill’s hair fans out around her — waving slightly in the water with every disruption of the surface. The warmth of the water increases with how close she is to Clive; Jill takes the initiate to rest her head against his shoulder, eyes drifting closed. )

swans.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt's experience with birds has been...less than desirable. (He doesn't want to get into it.) So it's not ideal when he returns to Cadens after a month's worth of riding to find that the city has been invaded by fucking swans. Spat out through those slivers in the air, no doubt.

The rifts should be a concern. They are a concern. It's also not a problem he can fix. Rift magic is not his expertise; he'll leave it to the mages. In the meantime, he still has payment to collect. There's another man in the shop, cursing at a dusty white bird. Geralt pays no mind as he steps around the squabbling pair. He sets a heavy box on the counter, then retrieves a bag of coin in return from the disgruntled shopkeeper—reluctant to hand over what he owes now that he's got a mess to pay for. (Which is not Geralt's problem.)

But he does do the courtesy of catching a crystal sculpture before it smashes to pieces. Perhaps he moves just a little quicker than the average man.

In either case, it isn't until Geralt is well outside that he casts a glance at the swan's captor. The uniform gives it away, who is or isn't a new arrival. His eyebrow lifts. ]

Last time, we had geese. [ He does not elaborate. The swan opens its beak and trumpets angrily. A flicker of amusement crosses Geralt's face. ] You're making quick friends.

[ramuhed]

( It's a given that someone would have a response and Cid seemingly takes it all in his stride, amused by it all despite the chaos that continues to erupt around the place. Most of the birds have migrated further down and the one in Cid's arms struggles to join the flock. )

I can't deny that, but I still insist on dinner, or a round of drinks at the very least. Wouldn't want them thinkin' I'm easy —

( The swan begins hissing its displeasure at the situation and Cid pauses, giving it a stern look. )None of that now, you can join them when I know you're not going to take another bite out of my arse.

( Talk of a ritual snaps Cid back to the conversation and his eyes sparkle with amusement. He'd walked into that one and the outlaw takes it with good grace, opting to tease back as he takes in Jesper's appearance and wares with a curious look of his own. )

Well I'm not local so you'd best get clucking if you want this lot to shift.

so many spoilers

[flagrates]

Joshua?

[ It takes a moment to register. THe timbre is familiar, and he'll never forget the sound of that cough to his dying days. He stands dumb as a rock as Joshua approaches him, grasping at him before pulling his brother into a hug, holding him so tight that Clive fears he might hurt him, but even so, he can't let him go. There has always been one thread pulling at Clive since the day Joshua was born, and it seems that thread is content to remain here, too, in this place neither of them belong.

He only lets go when Joshua pulls back, and the movement is reluctant. If he lets go of him now, what if he never sees him again? But there are other matters to attend to, and Clive's gaze lingers on his brother for a moment longer, worried, before following his gaze up to the tentacle. ]

They're everywhere, if you believe the mages. If I could reach it, it would be no problem, but as you can see..

[ Clive lifts a hand, gesturing.

(The tentacle... waves back???) ]

I think it's mocking me.

[ushiri]

[ Her response doesn't seem to put him off. He's skilled enough at keeping his own emotions muted when necessary. He seems - for better or worse, inevitably drawn toward strong (and sometimes hostile) women here.

His gaze follows a line past her toward the castle proper. ]

I was Summoned a year ago, now. Any of us that arrive with our own abilities find them useless in the first week. [ He looks back to her, offering a slight shrug. ]

Most skills come back, but not all.

[ Otherwise the devil that resides here would've burned it all down by now. ]

[flagrates]

[ He isn't getting off with a shoulder pat.

Clive also moves in, but it's for a hug, wrapping his arms around Cid in... relief? Joy? So he's real, then. Not just a ghost haunting him. ]

Certainly not Gav, if you'd hear him tell it. How did you get here?

[ He asks as he steps back, looking Cid up and down, unchanged from the last time he'd saw him, unlike himself. ]

[flagrates]

[ Clive certainly seems to think it's commentary. He forgets about his proximity to rows of teeth, and has the decency to look a little embarrassed. ]

Right. Sorry.

[ And under he goes, for a moment, running his hands through his hair in the water in an attempt to at least rinse out whatever it is might be offending his bath mate's olfactory sense.

He emerges a scant moment later, letting out the breath he'd been holding, looking so much like a large, wet, dog. ]

That should do it.

[ Hopefully. ]

[ramuhed]

( Seriously of all the things in Cid's life, managing to end up with a swan in his arms is not what he had in mind when it came to achievements. He takes note of the man walking in to deposit something, eyes catching how easily and quickly the other stops the sculpture from hitting the ground. He isn't a stranger to others having skills or powers, but in a completely new place the potential thought of it is enough to have him keeping hold of the swan as the man speaks to him. )

Geese? Were they as small as these ones? ( Cid's idea of a bird is a chocobo, large birds that usually pulled carts or ferried people around once they'd been tamed. As the swan honks it's annoyance, Cid can only be grateful it's not chocobo-sized though he does give it a reproachful look. ) Hold on, I'm talking here. Wait your turn.

( He shrugs at Geralt before continuing the conversation, pointedly ignoring the feathered chaos rampaging around them. )

Not feelin' the urge to jump on in and snag a few of these yourself then?

[slipscream]

( ... First Clive, now Cid. He's fortunate he won't have to bear the brunt of being the first person she recognised in this place; she's steeled herself for it now, locked away the idea that she might be able to leave the people who've wronged her in her past, and so instead of a flare of rage that threatens to shatter the furniture Benedikta is able to rein her temper in.

Just about. )

Oh, you know me. I always was adaptable.

( Her tone is cutting — devoid of any warmth that might make it a friendly response. She sips her drink, scanning the crowd almost boredly before finally letting her gaze land on the man at her side. Benedikta looks him up and down before sighing irritably: )

You too, then. Un-fucking-believable.

[flagrates]

[ He opens the other eye as Jill slips in, trying to be decent with where his gaze goes, but he's never been a good liar. She's clouded by the steam for a brief second, and when it lifts she's in the water, so his eyes return to her face, giving her a small smile as she rests her head on his shoulder. ]

It's no disturbance at all. Your company is one I'm always glad for.

[sketchycharacter]

There's still time.

[But all right, that's a point against magical beer transformations. He'll take the chance. Nate gestures for the bartender to pour him one and glances at the guy who's already drinking.]

So, been kidnapped long?

[itookashot]

But being easy is so much more fun.

( Jesper tilts his head to look at the hissing swan. They really are mean-spirited creatures but they provide so much amusement from the outside. He has had to shoo them off a few times since it wouldn't be good for their insides to eat anything he has. He may or may not have shooed them in the direction of other shops because mischief is in his blood and the long days in the market can get boring. )

Wow, and here I thought polite people took part in the local traditions as a sign of respect. You could be giving offense to the entire city! How could ---

( It's not Cid that gets his pity but a certain look from the shopkeeper, a very pointed one, and Jesper sighs, rolling his eyes, putting his hands up in surrender. The locals can actually get their way, depending on how threatening they are for the guard. )

Fine, fine. I can be nice.

( Jesper stands and nods to Cid. )

Toss it into the air.

[ramuhed]

( Cid is more than happy to return the hug, taking note of just how real Clive feels about now. So not a dream or a mirage then, though Cid does take note of how different the guy seems. Obvious scarring aside, there are lines where there shouldn't be, hair just a bit longer. The question on his lips is obvious but incomprehensible all at once. How long has it been?

No. Later he can ask. For now Cid folds his arms, still a little uncomfortable with how constricting the military uniform felt. )

Well I'll be, there's something Gav doesn't know. And I certainly didn't get here intentionally, was home one moment and here the next. But not before they dragged my arse out of the water. You?

spoilerssss

[flagrates]

[ He's surprised to learn that people don't need crystals to use or learn magic here, and it's left him feeling a way he can't quite describe. Happy? Relieved? It's so different from home that he can't help but wonder how it's done at all, though he has no desire to learn this world's magic as his own. He's got his own, and he can use it well enough. It's good enough for him.

Still, the explosions of light coming from the door to the practice room catches his eye as he passes it on his way towards the markets, and he stops to peer inside, eyes going round as dinner plates when he spots familiar silver hair, a braid, her body language. ]

Jill...!?

[ He hesitates — should he cross the threshold into the room? He isn't a student, and doesn't want to be disruptive. It's enough to know she's here and safe, but...

But he wants to touch her. He swallows, clears his throat. Calls out again, louder this time. ]

Jill!

[margrace]

[ he can feel the desperation in the hug as surely as he had their reunion in twinside, and no matter how much longer he lives, he thinks he'll always feel guilty for putting it there. if he'd found clive more quickly, if he'd returned to his side sooner.. so much time wasted on uncertainties.

torturing himself with those thoughts isn't particularly productive, though, and he wants to give clive no other reasons to worry about him. he's fine, clive, see? they'll both be fine, because joshua would do anything, anything to protect his older brother.

he laughs, brief and bright and breathless, at clive's complaint. it feels good to have a problem to focus on that isn't world-ending for once, even though he feels a little guilty for feeling that way. but ultima's threat has been hanging over his head since he was a child, like an axe held by a thread, like a fist around his lungs. to not have that here, to not have to think of it, even for a few moments, feels like an unexpected blessing. ]

It's.. cute? [ as monsters go. he's accustomed to more teeth. ] Are they dangerous, do you suppose? Perhaps-- Could you lift me? [ it's been a long time since joshua was small enough for clive to carry around, but a few minutes might do if he can manage it. ]

[gynvael]

[ Geralt eyes the bird with genuine contemplation before he holds out his hands in an approximation of large goose. This big. Bit smaller than the swan. The phrasing of the question leaves a certain curiosity behind, though Geralt decides not to ask.

Should he help with the flapping beast? Probably. Will he? Probably not. The man looks as though he's got it under control. Mostly. Besides, Geralt hasn't any interest in winding up with another bird latched onto his hair. ]

I already ate. [ It's hard to tell if he's joking or not. He studies man and bird for second. ] Do you plan on keeping yours?

[ Considering he's still...hugging it. ]

[ramuhed]

That you were.

( Cid hates the finality of that statement, of using past tense with someone who is sitting right there, but he's unable to help himself and he opts to pretend it didn't happen. The fact furniture or glasses have not gone flying doesn't go unnoticed and Cid turns that over in his mind before relenting; Benedikta's tone of voice leaves little room for misinterpretations anyway.

Still, not having to duck is a bonus and Cid will take that, motioning to the bartender to get them both a round of whatever Benedikta is drinking right now. It looks suspicious but who is Cid to judge? )

For once I can honestly say I had no choice in turning up here. But you're right, it is unfuckingbelievable that not only did we get brought here, but managed to cross paths. Impressive almost.

( Cid pauses, patting his jacket for a packet of smokes that he remembers is no longer there. Fuck. ) Can't say I'm enamoured by this place.

cal kestis, star wars ☆ free cities, nocwich ☆ the hanged man

[thepath]

►ONE. OUTPOST [ FREE CITIES ]

[ Cal doesn’t look particularly comfortable in the military-style uniform he was issued, unarmed and disconnected from the Force—he keeps tugging at the hem of his jacket, flexing his hands at his sides like he’s itching to reach for a weapon.

But even the weakened resonance of the Force is less worrying than the fact that BD-1, his constant droid companion for five years now, is nowhere to be found. The people who helped Cal out of the pool had told him that the Summoned don’t arrive with any of their possessions, but BD-1 is not a possession—he’s a friend.

So Cal isn’t giving up quite yet. He pokes around what feels like the entirety of the barracks, almost single-minded in his search, occasionally stopping bystanders to ask: ]

Have you seen an exploration droid around here? He’s a BD unit, about this— [ He holds his hands up, about half a meter high, as demonstration. ] —big.

[ So far, the search is fruitless. Cal ends up at the training grounds instead, watching the sparring and obstacle races with ready eyes, taking silent note of how the soldiers fight. He’s not particularly competitive himself, but he’s fairly susceptible to peer pressure, so it wouldn’t be too difficult to harass him into competing. ]

►TWO. CADENS [ FREE CITIES ]

[ The technology of this world seems to be pretty heavily reliant on magic, unlike what Cal’s used to, but there’s still plenty that carries over. The “laser” tool, for one, that people are using to carve marble sculptures, appears to function almost exactly like his old welding torch, tragically left behind when he was summoned here.

It could also, perhaps, be likened more to a lightsaber, and karabast, does he miss his. Which is why he volunteers to do some etching without doing any etching at all—instead, he’s just sitting there in front of his stone block, turning the laser tool over and over in his hands, trying to resist the urge to take it apart and see exactly how it works. They probably wouldn’t appreciate him breaking open their little prototype, right?

Later on, he moves on to the market, unable to stop himself from jumping in to help when someone shouts for it—it’s those Jedi instincts. This time, however, rather than fending off raiders or finding lost people, his Jedi instincts have him chasing down some kind of long-necked bird creature, one that is surprisingly fast and angry.

Even after he manages to scoop up the bird, it thrashes in his grasp, honking in outrage, and it takes every ounce of Cal’s strength to keep it contained, but not before he—and/or the bird—smacks into a few unlucky bystanders. ]

Sorry about that. Just— [ Honk! ]

►THREE. OLEUNI SQUARE [ NOCWICH ]

[ If there’s anything Cal’s learned after nearly a decade on the run, it’s that cantinas and marketplaces are the best places in the galaxy to catch up on news and gossip, some of which could actually save your life in a pinch.

So he takes his time exploring the marketplace, peeking at all of the shops and stalls, though he doesn’t actually purchase anything, which would require money he doesn’t have. A couple times, he stops to look more closely at particular pieces of jewelry—gold cuff bracelets and rings—a kind of wistfulness writ large on his face as he wonders if Merrin would like them. (Oh, yeah, he’s got it bad.)

But then he moves on. At a food stall, he stops to get a bite to eat, turning down a drink before devouring his food like he hasn’t eaten in literal days. (He has, for the record, but, you know, that poverty mindset is hard to shake.) While he sits and eats, he pays sharp attention to the conversations around him, while also trying to make it look like he’s not eavesdropping at all.

Finally, he slips into the gambling den. While casinos aren’t really Cal’s scene—they’re more of Greez’s thing—desperate times call for desperate measures, and Cal is desperate for money to get out of the outpost, because he’s absolutely not enlisting in the military.

Not that he’s actually doing any gambling in the den. The games here are different from the ones he’s familiar with in his galaxy, let alone the ones he actually knows how to play. So for a long while, he just stands and watches the proceedings, his gaze following the betting, the jostling, the dice throwing, the restless exchange of money. ]

Do you know how to play?

►WILDCARD.

[ i truly love wildcards, so please feel free to throw whatever your heart desires at me! also please let me know if you’d like me to avoid survivor spoilers — i know it’s been a few months, but just in case! ]

omg your icon lmao

[flagrates]

[ He huffs out a laugh, setting his mug down. ]

No. You?

[slipscream]

( ... A year. He'd looked comfortable enough striding through the palce that she'd taken him for a native, but no, he's a person who's lived through what she's going through right now and managed to make some kind of life for himself here. Benedikta narrows her eyes for a moment as she cocks her hip: )

And the shortfall is made up through the lessons they teach here, is it not?

( She nods her head in the general direction of the castle wing she just came from. )

This ... so-called academic magic.

( Her lips thin for a moment as a wave of irritation washes over her: )

That has nothing to do with a person's natural abilities.

[flagrates]

[ Too long, would be Clive's answer, but it isn't the question that's asked and so Clive sighs instead, putting a hand on his hip.

(Even here, his clothes are just one size too small.) ]

The same. I...

[ And he hesitates. No, he's not ready to talk about it. Not yet. ]

I woke up here, in the water. And they told me I had been brought here to save the world, but I can barely save our own.

[ramuhed]

( Cid already likes this new person, they seem to be the kind who can have a good laugh, but the outlaw also knows not to judge by appearance and so everything is taken with a pinch of salt for now. )

I could partake but if I ruined it, why I'd be outcast before I even got started here. Can't have me bringing dishonour on everyone with two left feet now, can I?

( The pointed look just serves to widen Cid's grin even if the instructions are puzzling. Throw it in the air? Green eyes look down at the swan before Cid shrugs. Should be fine, unless the wings are for show..... )

Alright bird, off off you go now. And no more mischief. ( And with that Cid throws the bird upwards, keenly interested to see if anything happens. )