TEST DRIVE MEME #17

[abraxasmods]

Test Drive Meme

Important Links

Setting ⦁ Game History ⦁ NPCs ⦁ Arcana ⦁ FAQ

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 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. You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective question threads.

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

While the world is undergoing some tumultuous weather, newly arrived characters will be assured that everything is being taken care of and cautioned to shelter indoors where possible.

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 getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying the 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 territories: 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.

Go to scenario

Kingdom of Thorne ⦁ The Free Cities ⦁ Solvunn Commune

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 spring, the weather is cool and marked by howling windstorms. In the distance, snow continues to cover the mountain peaks. Spring flowers are beginning to bloom in the gardens. 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:

• Windstorms batter the walls outside. The city of Castle Thorne is largely safe, but debris, fallen trees, and toppled wagons are still a danger. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• 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. There's some buzz about the arrival of Admiral Rudolph Sidwell, the Queen's uncle. While Rudolph is temporarily staying in Nott, he can occasionally be seen in the castle halls when he visits Castle Thorne.

◎ Exploring

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

Sorting Tomes
A few apprentices out on errands have grown trapped behind some fallen debris, leaving the library short of helping hands. Volunteers are desperately needed to help sort and shelve the books, which are beginning to pile up. Fortunately, Thorne's magical shelving system means the shelves will immediately let you know if a book has been placed incorrectly. Unfortunately, the way this works is that the book will expel itself back out and fall to the floor. Watch your head!

Serene Steeds
Due to the heavy storms, Thorne's prized horses are growing nervous in their stables. To help soothe them, apprentice mages have asked you to cast a calming spell on each horse. The spell relies on Academic Magic. While the spell only requires saying a few words correctly, a lack of concentration can result in some unexpected memories or feelings surfacing, inducing strong emotions. You might vividly recall a tumultuous moment in your life or find yourself reflecting on who you are, where you came from, and where you might go next.

Painting Session
You're encouraged to explore Thorne's proud naval history in Borrel at its Maritime Fair. Because of the storms, it's being held indoors within heavily strengthened walls. Here, you can join a paint and cider session where you can follow a guided instructor to paint a displayed model of Thorne's famous naval warships. To finish your masterpiece, decorate the frame with Borrel's famous sea glass. The paints and brushes are enchanted to help you along, but it requires a little concentration. Growing frustrated with your progress might cause some splatters or turn the colors muddy. Not to worry! You can always start again with a fresh canvas.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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).

As an important figure to the kingdom, you can't move out of the city of Castle Thorne without permission or take any extended trips. If you're feeling restless, though, day trips to Nott or Borrel via portal are allowed, or you can visit Nocwich. Don't try to sneak out - someone will bring you back. 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 or you can earn some pocket money by doing chores around the Castle.

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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. The climate is hot and dry, though the sandstorm has obscured the sun, lowering the typical spring temperatures. At night, temperatures will drop further. 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 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:

• Sandstorms assail the cites, especially in Cadens. The dust is thick and choking, and visibility is low. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• In the Cadens barracks, soldiers are hard at work fortifying its walls and preparing for further changes in weather. Shops and merchant stalls that populate Cadens' outdoor markets are absent. With the storms going on, the city streets are eerily empty except for vagrants and those who don't have shelter to retreat to.


• City guards are present around an inn and tavern at the heart of Cadens - The Sarstina - where the Summoned like you are often found. They're here for your protection, not to prevent you from moving freely.

◎ Exploring

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

Pimp My Ride
Innovation is the way of the Free Cities, and showing it off is just as important. Every few years, wagon enthusiasts will display their customized New Magic-powered wagons in the Wagon Parade. Although this usually takes place in the streets of Cadens, this month's storm has forced the parade indoors into the Fortune Arena, the oldest horse arena in the city. They'll need help boarding up windows and doorways so that the this year's amazing entries aren't harmed. As with any event, pop-up merchants appear along the parade line selling food, drink, and a variety of commemorative tokens.

Masking Up
Dust storms are not unheard of in the desert, but the reduced air quality is still a concern. In response, the government is distribuing breathing masks and is asking for volunteers who are willing to brave current conditions to hand them out. Standard government-issued designs are free, but some wealthy citizens have elected for a more refined design while the cautious opt for total coverage. You'll be given your own mask (in the design of your choice), but the winds will still be a force to contend with. Be sure to travel with a partner for safety.

New Wave, New Age
New Magic is how the Free Cities diverges from reliance on more traditional magic. With New Magic, the Arcana plays a much more limited role. However, New Age thinkers of Libertas have risen with the arrival of the Summoned. They stress that to move to the future, you cannot forget your past. To encourage this reconnection with one's roots, a group of New Age practitioners have set up a table at the Cadens Library. You can take part in designing your own tarot card on pieces of thin metal. The goal is to create a design that speaks to you the most: find inspiration from your connections to the world, from home, or through an important symbol in your life. Special pens will easily burn and engrave any marks you make, so craft carefully.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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 are 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'll eventually have to strike out on your own. The government won't provide for you 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, but you will want to start making money. Nearly everything in the Free Cities has a price - including the portal to Aquila. Luckily, the portal to Libertas is free if you want to stretch your legs.

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Welcome to Solvunn

You're in a grassy clearing amid 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 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 who 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 who 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. With spring on the way, the winds remain somewhat chilly and the rains are heavy - not to mention the small twisters forming across the plains and on the ocean. 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:

• Small twisters assail the settlements. While it isn't strong enough to lift homes or large structures, important shrines, and small animals are still in danger. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• Shops and stalls have closed due to conditions. The strong community means in Solvunn everyone has chosen to pitch in to help each other out, delivering meals when there's a break in the storms, finding lost pets, repairing broken gates, and exchanging essential goods.


• Fishing in the Tertiary Settlement has also ground to a halt. Isar Hart, who sits on the Council, can be seen frequently in the Primary Settlement to gather much-needed supplies for the residents.

◎ Exploring

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

Shrine Offerings
As a new arrival, you'll be encouraged to perform your first offering. Due to the turbulent weather, Solvunn believes offerings in the tradition of High Magic might quell the Gods' fury. Create a bundle using a combination of fruit, wine, flowers, or an animal you've hunted. It must be picked and put together by your own hand. Once you're ready, you can approach any shrine belonging to a God that speaks to you: is it Cadaevos, who purifies the community and soul? Endrborrin, who brings forth spring and change? Vagn, who oversees one's journey in death? It's a good idea to travel with a partner. While the twisters aren't deadly, they can be dangerous if you're not careful. Perhaps, along the way, you can talk about what the concept of gods and blessings mean to you.

Goatnado
Due to the heavy rains, Solvunn's fine tradition of goat racing has been put on hold so the goats can be kept safe inside their pens. Of course, the goats prefer their free-range lifestyle and are prone to escaping. Help find missing goats or tend to the ones who have been returned to their pens. It may not be as simple as following the sound of bleating and tying them up; reports of small twisters picking up goats and other livestock have been made, sending them far away from their pens and farms and even into the more dangerous wilds or inconveniently on buildings and houses. You'll need to team up and track them down before they can cause any property damage or get hurt themselves.

The Shrieking of the Weeds
Goats and livestock aren't the only victims of the sudden winds. Farmlands and crops also face the brunt of destruction. The twisters travel quickly across Solvunn's low and flat landscape, and the freshly tilled earth is even easier to disturb. As a result, Shrieking Weeds, a staple garden guardian in Solvunn, are being ripped from the ground and sent in whirling, noisy tempests that keep everyone up all night and day. The weeds must be retrieved and will only quiet when planted back into the ground. Luckily, you can easily follow their discordant cries to find them.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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.

Goat-drawn wagons can help you get to the other settlements, but you're encouraged to remain in the Primary Settlement. If you insist, though, no one will stop you from leaving. Just be sure you have an invitation to the Secondary Settlement. There are tales of uninvited travelers to the Secondary Settlement disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective.

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Questions & 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 territory your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their 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 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 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 into 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 territory?

No, they must remain within the territory except when visiting Nocwich. Review the Travel section on each territory's Setting page for where characters can go within their borders.

Can my character eventually change territories?

Yes, but tensions between the major territories are at an all-time high. Doing so is possible, but will require some plotting 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. Those interested in court politics, the Singularity, and magic will have the most access in Thorne. Anyone who wishes to uncover the secrets of the Gods and other mysteries will best do so in Solvunn.

This is not to say characters are locked out of other scenarios completely. With effort and the help of friends, anything is possible! Don't get too anxious about your choice. Every character in each scenario can work their way towards many individual goals. Additionally, once in-game, the Horizon, Nocwich, and certain events will let characters make easy cross-border 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. You'll 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?

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. In situations where Nocwich is closed, you can put up prompts for multiple scenarios, though only the one you choose in the application can become canon.

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. 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

[inthenameofhades]

"Hey, we can't all be Zeus, lord of lightning and the skies!" Zagreus says, feeling mildly offended. "And you can thank Prometheus for the creation humanity. The rest of us...well, we all have our own domains. There's no one god who runs the universe."

And honestly, if there was such a god Zagreus is rather sure that he wouldn't want to be them. That's a job that seems like it would be far too stressful. How could anyone be expected to look after everything? Not even Chaos did that.

[dead_tongue]

"Okay, sorry! Sorry. Wasn't trying to offend."

Alright, so gods really are touchy. Good to know.

"Uhm. But you were summoned here? Does that mean the other gods here, are, uhm. Bigger?"

[whatam_i]

"I had to make sure there was no....I don't know, magic symbols or whatever." He explains further, choosing to stay standing as she moves beds.

"I don't trust this place or any of the magic."

[tedandroses]

Teddy grins widely, shoulders lifting in a similarly quiet laugh. That sort of gender-neutral, slightly flamboyant sweetie is oddly relaxing; it makes them miss a few of the guys they hung out with in school. They love being home more than they used to, and there’s a part of them that never feels right away from the woods — but that doesn’t mean that it’s not still low on people they relate to. Lower, really: a lot of high school friends have moved to bigger cities.

“I mean, sure, but. That thing could be — I don’t know. Watching kids for a few hours, or picking up things for them so they can sell whatever they’re selling, or weeding a garden.” He grins sideways. “I …can probably teach you some basic …you know. Boy Scout stuff, if you wanted?“ Teddy makes a little amused face. “I mean. Besides the one you figured out.” There’s no way he’s letting Iggy get arrested or — Teddy’s not even sure what potentially disappointing gods as someone who’s supposed to save the world might mean. And also, do people even know what condoms are here, is a real question.

The fascination is novel: it’s truly not even laughter, which Teddy is so used to being on guard for that delighted interest isn’t even on her radar. She laughs. “Welll…in Virginia and, you know, most of the northeast, that’s correct,” she offers in an optimistic tone, thoroughly amused. “It’s…pretty eastern though. A little above halfway down, one state between us and the coast. Mountains, forest. Coal. …Country roads.” Her lips twitch a little.

“Got it. Yeah, no, I was there for Biden,” he explains. “It’s — I mean, it was December 2023 back home. So I’m more worried about the ex Cheeto in Chief running again. Not that I — you know what, no. Get me on politics and we’ll be here forever. So — where in Canada? Big city, or …?” There is something almost weirder about someone being only a few months — Teddy assumes, because a recent US presidential election would probably still be news in Canada — ahead of him, but from what sounds like the same world. But — it’s not as though it makes less sense than this does.

[inthenameofhades]

For a moment, Zagreus thinks he's being addressed, and wonders why - this person doesn't seem like someone he's met before - but then he spots the goat, and it all makes sense.

"Hello mate," Zagreus says, since the newcomer appears to be - looking at him? "Are you...wanting assistance?"

And Teddy will notice that appearance wise, Zagreus has a very very noticeable features: namely, one hellish-red eye surrounded by black sclera, and feet that look like they are burning red-hot. So, not exactly your average Joe.

Shrine Offerings

[inthenameofhades]

"I'm afraid Lord Uncle Zeus isn't likely to hear you here mate," Zagreus says, as he appears at Clarisse's side.

His appearance will seem rather sudden, seeing as he's Dashed towards her - shifting through space quickly, like a mix of teleportation and phasing that leaves streaks of red light behind him.

And if the reference to 'Lord Uncle Zeus' wasn't enough of a clue to the fact that Zagreus definitely wasn't a normal mortal guy, the mismatched eyes and feet that were glowing red-hot would definitely give the game away.

[inthenameofhades]

You just said he was lame, Iggy. Lame. Just go and poke at all of Zagreus's insecurities, why don't you.

"Yes, I was. And I haven't let any of the local pantheon yet, but...yes. I imagine they must be quite powerful."

[dead_tongue]

"Were you really in Scouts?" Iggy asks, still fascinated. He himself never was. He giggles soundlessly again. "Look, for the record, I was just defaulting to how I pay the bills back home."

"Oh. So why is it West Virginia? Is-- oh. Oh, it's relative? Oh my god, I'm so dumb." He is, a little, but mostly it's that he's never had a reason to learn American geography.

"Oh, I like mountains! And forests. I hate camping, though. So I guess I like them aesthetically." He beams. "Take me hooooome?"

He claps his hands together. "Oh, shit, yeah! We're really close then! Yeah, you've not missed anything much, then, it was like, March."

Iggy pushes his curls back with one hand. "Well. I'm from Nanaimo, but I've been living in Vancouver for the past few years for art school. Which I dunno if you know anything about Vancouver, but that sentence explains why my night job is camming. Pricey."

S U R R O U N D I N G S

[tobeclosetohim]

Hey, there—

[ Enter one small blonde, getting her hands in the middle of this momentary dust-up between what looks like a burlap sack—albiet now weirdly uniformed —newbie and one of the Captain's before he can go reach for whatever he might be carrying. Or magic he might have. Or anyone else he'd call in. Looking more at the captain, who she does recognize well enough from being one of the people in and out the gates so often hunting or with the caravans. ]

Sorry about that. I've got this.

You know how new arrival day goes.

🙊

[areou]

It's not Zagreus' sudden appearance that really throws Clarisse off — it makes her think almost immediately of Nico Di Angelo's ability to shadow travel — but the fact that his actual appearance is ... strikingly, unsettlingly similar to someone she knows. If it weren't for the red eye and the pale skin and the fact that he speaks with some kind of accent, she almost would have mistaken Zagreus for Percy Jackson.

"Lord Uncle?" Great, another cousin. She looks more annoyed (and still vaguely uncomfortable) that she might actually know this guy rather than relieved that a distant relation is also here. Or, at least, she's probably supposed to know this guy. She rolls her eyes, her lip curling into a sneer. "Listen, Glow Boy —" she starts, almost a growl, but nothing immediately follows. Surely she had some scathing remark locked and loaded, but she's a little distracted. She squints at him, trying to see past the Percy of it all. Seriously, what the fuck. "Who are you, anyway? You can't be a son of Poseidon."

Which she only says because she doesn't want it to be true. That would just make things infinitely weirder.

Free Cities

[kobes]

The thing about the Free Cities -- especially when new people are arriving -- is that people just sort of. Talk to you. Even without a conversation being properly initiated. That's very new to Koby, who's accustomed to being invisible, to some extent. But it's not a bad thing, just...something new to get used to. Sometimes it's actually quite nice, meeting new people.

And sometimes they say the most unexpectedly, absurd hilarious things, prompting a startled bark of laughter before Koby's smacking his hand over his mouth. They're in a library, sir, please. "I-I don't think...that's a real, um. Card." Stop laughing. Try to look serious and disapproving. Someone has to.

[sscuriosity]

Hey -

[Dustin at least has the good sense not to interrupt her prayer, or whatever it was, as she takes part in the process. Dustin has nothing to offer and nobody to pray to, a man of science is the closest he might be able to revere is Thoth or Vulcan but neither of them spoke to him on a worship scale. One of the perks of being raised by a single mom was that she didn't force him to go to the local church or put him into some cookie-cutter role.

She liked him for him and supported his interests, and despite being more hands-off than she should have been it's that behavior that helped him make it into adolescence and through his first year in high school.]

What language was that? It sounds sort of Mediterranean but I can't place it.

new wave, new age aka arts and crafts time

[kobes]

I'm not actually sure. [Koby mumbles it without looking up, too busy adding in unnecessary details to his own design -- a ship on fire in the middle of the ocean, each wave intricate and swirling around the crumbling wreck. At the bottom: Death, which is exceptionally grim for someone with cotton-candy-colored hair to have assigned to them. Koby's done a good job of not thinking about it too deeply since arriving, and has apparently moved on successfully to making art about it.

Not as impressive as the girl's beside him, though -- she's actually in her design, chariot and sea monster (no; wrong, she's in a city, it's some sort of land monster) and all. Koby glances over, squinting a bit, glasses up on top of his head.] I'm still deciding whether they have a point or if this is just to keep people out of the storm.

[inthenameofhades]

"Poseidon? Of course not," Zagreus says, blinking at her. Why would she think he was a son of Poseidon? He doesn't see the resemblance at all.

(And besides: surely there's more dark-haired young men with green eyes - or at least one green eye - than just Percy. Not that Zagreus knows who Percy is.)

"I'm Zagreus. Son of Hades and Persephone."

Sarstina Inn

[sonofacesius]

( Will had finally gotten off duty at the clinic, or rather, it had been strongly suggested that he go home, rest, and do something that wasn't moving boxes, stitching people up or generally trying to be helpful. He hated it. What he hated more was his room here. In the inn. Alone. He was used to Camp, with all his siblings and bunk beds and the sounds of people and music and breathing. Alone there was just, silence. He hadn't really been paying attention to those around him. At least lately. When he first got here, Will had spent a lot of time walking around Nocwich, around the Free Cities, hoping to spot Nico, Lou Ellen. Cecil. Someone familiar. He hadn't. So he'd gotten a little bit complacent, slipped into routine with Nadine at the clinic.

And then he heard a familiar voice, a very ancient greek curse and a very familiar description of a certain demigod. He turned, almost not really believing until he saw someone more beautiful and dear to him than his Persephone infatuation. You were that beautiful to him right then Clarisse, you beat Persephone. )

I really thought growing up with Mr. D would put you off alcohol.

[areou]

( dustin's good sense is rewarded by clarisse not immediately biting his head off. she looks over at the kid next to her — fourteen, maybe fifteen? she's spent enough time around younger campers to have a decent age gauge — and shrugs like what language it is doesn't really matter. modesty, thy name is clarisse. just this once, anyway. bragging about being fluent in ancient greek would be infinitely lame. she doesn't need anyone thinking she's a classics major or something. she's not a nerd, she was just born this way. )

Ancient Greek. ( she nods at him, impressed almost. ) You've got a good ear. At least, in the right region.

WILD CARD -

[sscuriosity]

[The thing about accidentally stumbling into horizons is that Dustin's fight or flight checks in faster than his brain ever gets a chance to. Traversing the upside down back home has made him distrustful of unfamiliar but vaguely reminiscent territory, and the Roadhouse is no exception.

He has to peel his attention away from the corkboard to investigate other things, first, the jukebox, where he selects Master of Puppets, and next the shooting game, which is enough like a pinball machine that he has to try his luck with it.

He cranes over the prop rifle and moves the reticle into a more comfortable position. That makes it a lot easier for him to hit the targets when they appear and do it without playing at a disadvantage. It's all hunting animals and target practice and Dustin makes quick work of all of it, too transfixed to notice he's not alone until the song turns over onto the jukebox to something different. When that happens, he raises his head and slowly takes in his surroundings again. Dustin's not a hunter, not even close, but he's been through enough to feel that atmospheric change in pressure that means he's got eyes on him. He spins around slowly to try and find the source, and the game becomes a lot less important by contrast. The sound effects of missing his shots fall on deaf ears until, "GAME OVER," is announced.

It's then that his blue eyes find Wynonna at the bar, and he's too sheepish over being caught to notice that she might be out of place too.]

Uh, sorry. I dunno how....

[Dustin's about to go into excuses when he realizes it's not important. It won't make a difference, so he settles on going into what he does know.]

- it doesn't matter. Your game's cool. It's the first thing I've seen that reminds me of home since I got here.

[sscuriosity]

Really? That's gnarly.

[Gnarly as in good, y'know since this absolute buffoon is from the eighties in terms of slang and the reverse of say what you mean and feel being the rule. His ear is good, but mostly he is every bit the nerd that would think classics major isn't anything to scoff at.]

[areou]

( she barely hears koby speak until she looks over and sees that he is, actually, talking. if he hadn't been sitting right next to her, clarisse probably wouldn't have noticed him. maybe that's why there's death scrawled at the bottom of his card. or maybe the kid just has zero command of his own presence. )

Beats me. ( she shrugs, picking up the card and running a finger down the side of it. ) Almost sharp enough to be a weapon in a pinch. ( then she nods to koby's card, arching an eyebrow. ) Is that supposed to be metaphorical or are you actually dead? Dying? Harbinger of death?

( which might sound rude, but it's not totally out of the realm of possibility. she doesn't know how this place works, exactly, but if they can pull anyone from anywhere, surely they can pull people from the brink of death, too. and she can't imagine this tiny little squirt is some kind of death machine. )

[spiritread]

[ For a moment, the younger girl twists her fingers in front of her giving a short, contemplative nod. Technically, learning about storms was in part of her training - mostly in the learning about wind currents side of things. She doesn't have answers for it. She worries, but at least Annabeth's question is distracting enough: ]

What other kind of bison would there be?

[ Anyone else might be pulling a prank or being sassy - Jinora is as genuine as she is confused. For her that is the only bison she knows of. ]

So stay away from salty smelling water boys. Got it. [ She half smiles. Pauses, and then a touch slyly: ] But only after I send them all to you...?

[irulian]

[The look on her face when Annabeth rejoins the present conversation is one that silently says welcome back, an arched eyebrow involved and everything. She's not going to comment on it, but girl, where'd you go?]

Of course — [She starts, then stops, nose wrinkling as she catches herself.

There's no of course because she doesn't have her Citadel clothes, or her Citadel staff, or anything that marks her as a wizard. And even if she did, they'd mean nothing here.

It's been a rough adjustment.

Suvi lets out a breath.] I'm a wizard of the Citadel. Our magic is similar to the magic here in Thorne, though with much more discipline.

[Stop throwing shade.]

Do you have any kind of magic where you're from?

[spiritread]

Our spirits are pretty great. [ She agrees, perhaps a little too readily. ] Most of them are only scary if you make them scary or throw off the balance of nature. We're still a long way off from humans and Spirits co-existing entirely peacefully.

[ Which is something she sounds put out by - or exhausted by. It's by no means a sore subject, but clearly one she's trying to fight for. Not that everyone in her world has the same connection to Spirits that she does and that's part of the problem; She's never seen them as a real danger because they've always been a part of who she is. ]

[ She's a monk, though, and peace is something they strive for. ]

[ She laughs softly, covering the noise behind a hand before answering: ]

Yeah. It's really in the name. Being a bender just means you can control the elements - air, fire, earth, water. And there's all kinds of subsets of bending, too like lavabending or metalbending.

[areou]

( honestly? will solace was probably one of the last people she expected to find here. one of the seven, maybe. nico, reyna. will might have made the top ten, but only barely. and it's not because she doesn't think he's a capable demigod — he's more than capable of handling himself in high stakes situations, and she realizes not everyone is cut out to be on the front lines, so maybe she should give him a little more credit. maybe it's just that her old feud with the apollo cabin dies hard, despite the fact that will is the only apollo counselor she's ever tolerated, maybe even liked to some degree (will is, in his own way, annoyingly hard to dislike) — but that truth she'll take to her grave.

it's not to say she isn't glad to see a familiar face, someone from home — she's just. surprised, that's all. (not resentful, exactly. that wouldn't be fair. it's not will's fault he's the only other one here, but there is a treacherous twist of disappointment in her gut.)

she grins at him, snorting as she raises the mug in front of her. )

Growing up with Mr. D is the reason I need alcohol. ( not necessarily true. but close enough. ) What the hell are you doing here, Solace? Aren't you a little young to be hanging around a tavern?

[glaciare]

( Jill isn't a cruel woman -- she'll let Cid have whatever he needs in order to handle the shock of ending up out of the lifestream and into another world, blessedly free of the Blight and beyond Ultima's reach. Standing aside to let him pass, she busies herself with finding a seat and waiting for him to... settle, she supposes.

It's quite a lot to deal with, Jill knows -- but with Dion and Joshua and Clive all here, there's been no shortage of learning to watch people come to terms with their new reality. Still, the remark has her smiling, shaking her head. )

We both know he'll be crying harder than I am the moment he sees you. ( Which is not a negative in Jill's book, she loves how unashamed of his own emotions Clive is now that he has settled more into himself. ) What would you like to know?

( She offers it to him, first -- there are some things, she imagines, that he'd rather not hear at the moment. So they can take it at his pace and Jill will adapt. )

[tedandroses]

"Not Boy Scouts," Teddy says, with a little mischievous curl of their smile. That would've been an interesting argument. Jesus. Their parents don't even know about the gender thing now, much less at age seven. They didn't even have a word for it then. Then again, they really didn't feel it, much, until later.

"No, uh. Neither version, actually. My parents are just very you should learn the basics, and it's the middle of nowhere, it's good to be a little handy. And hey," they lift their hands, pretty sure he's not offended but still a little hasty to set the record straight. "Honestly -- I'm not judging. There's a lot worse shit you could do. I'd just ...rather the first friend I make here doesn't get ..." They look around. "Put in the stocks, or something."

She grins, relaxing when he moves on to the next subject easily. "No, not at all! I don't know shit about Canadian history, so? But yeah, we used to be part of Virginia and -- basically a lot of resentment built up between the mountain folk," she gestures broadly to herself as the, apparently, designated representative, "and the rest of Virginia, especially large plantation owners, who had a lot of government influence. So." She makes a little breaking apart mime.

"Almost heaven, West Virginia," Teddy sings back, nodding with a smirk. "You got it." The ubiquitous love their state has for a song a not-even-native shoved into the right syllable count is the most West Virginian thing he can think of: there's some used-to-pulling-theses-out-of-the-air part of him that could make that a metaphor for the way the state's been treated since before its formation. And yet, he's, begrudgingly, one of those people who will still sing along with it and even feel a little despite knowing all that.

"I mean, I think most people who like nature like it aesthetically at least a little bit. I do love camping, but if you asked me would I prefer to go hiking and come back to a cabin with AC and Wifi and usually a giant bed and a Keurig? Hell yes. ...Oh man. I wonder if this place has coffee." That...That is maybe more of a problem than nicotine. Teddy's at least attempted to quit smoking before. He's been nurturing the caffeine habit like a favorite plant since they were, what, eleven?

"Oh, good. Maybe good?" They consider that. "Good, no major disasters, bad, no incredible news or mention-worthy revolutions?" They shrug expansively, but then nod, expression relaxing into something more serious and interested as Iggy goes into his own life. His shorter curls sort of spring back from being pushed back; it's cute.

"Nanaimo," they echo, their turn to be intrigued. "That's -- is that also an island?" Vancouver being off the coast is one of the few geographical things about Canada they have relatively pinned down. They nod, a slow emphatic agreement.

"I don't know much about Vancouver," she disclaims. "It's a -- hazy impression of um, rain and killer whales, and -- film? And cool but nonspecific city images, and...I think the stock images of my brain might just be generic Pacific Northwest, I'm sorry." She laughs and pushes her own hair out of her face, shaking it back, embarrassed. "Oh! And um, Neko Case. Is from there?" She tilts her head, raising an eyebrow in did that get any points and grins, burying her head in one hand only a little over-dramatically. "You know, I should have just shut up and pretended I did know."

Teddy lifts their head and adds, more seriously, "But...yeaah, I think of the rent prices on ourwest coast and my brain just makes alarm noises, so I assume it's the same a little north." They smile, wry.

"So -- wait, art school. That's awesome. What kind of art are you into?"