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

achilles | the iliad | solvunn | arcana tbd

[heelies]

I. sacrifice

Never has the fury of Peleus' son Achilles been tempered so speedily. When first he found himself pulled from the pool like a fisherman's haul, heaped stark naked in the grass under an unfamiliar sky, he was all dark looks and winged words. Then the stranger spoke the words to soothe his ragged breast: his fame has reached this far-flung land. The gods have brought him here as a blessing to its people.

Thus, despite the questions swarming his thoughts like a hive of bees and the apprehension heavying his heart, Achilles repays his hosts' generosity with humble gratitude. Only a fool dare spit on the custom of guest-friendship, the sacred law of Zeus. Although, soon he is stunned to learn that none in this country knows that almighty name. Strange gods hold sway over these lands.

He shall make sacrifice to them to earn their favor. But as he has no sheepfolds of his own from which to select victims, and it is a poor sacrifice that demands nothing of the suppliant, he must hunt. Armed with a borrowed spear, and accompanied by whomever is hardy and willing, swift-footed Achilles ventures into the forest.

"I have not hunted wild beasts since the days of my youth, when Mount Pelion was my home and Chiron, wisest among the centaurs, my teacher," he muses, his countenance marked by the bittersweetness of remembering a time treasured but long gone.

II. goatnado

The gods' anger is not appeased. Still it whips the winds and lashes on the rain, just as Artemis' rage had refused the armada's sea-passage, the thousand ships of Atreus' son Agamemnon, at the onset of the war the Achaeans were bent on bringing to Troy.

"Are there no seers in this country?" Achilles groans. "None who can read bird-signs and guess at the minds of the gods?"

Then, perhaps, he would not have to chase loose goats across field and fen. Although, once he realizes that he can make a contest of it, his mood brightens. He turns to whomever shares his lot with a glint of challenge in his eyes.

"Let us see who can capture the most goats by the time the sun in its chariot has finished its arc across the sky. What do you say?"

III. wildcard

Hit me with anything else you can think of. :)

Wildcard, I'm sorry Achilles

[inthenameofhades]

"Achilles! Sir, you're here!" says a young dark-haired man with mis-matched eyes and burning red-hot feet, upon immediate sight of Achilles. He dashes towards Achilles, repeatably moving through space like he's shifting through it, leaving streaks of red-light behind until he comes to stand before Achilles.

Zagreus grins, the kind of smile one would give to an old friend. Except then the smile...freezes. Because it's only at this point that Zagreus notices that Achilles is looking rather more solid and opaque than usual.

"Wait, you're...alive?!"

Oh no. This...wasn't his mentor at all, was it?

Or at least, not yet.

[heelies]

The son of Peleus crouches in the grass over the carcass of a deer he had slain by spear, which presently he dresses in preparation for sacrifice, separating hide from muscle and fat. When he hears his name called, he looks up to see a stranger running toward him so fast that the air blurs as when blood diffuses in water. It is this at which he marvels more so than the stranger's familiarity toward him. After all, Achilles had traded the long lease of his life for glory that never dies. All that he wanted, all those burning desires, he got in the end — but what a dear price he paid.

"No, my fate, although already woven, has not yet sealed its final stitch," he answers, pausing the work of his blade. Blood slicks his hands red up to his wrists. He studies the stranger's striking appearance, from wild hair to feet glowing like coals.

"Who are you, stranger, whose feet burn like the forges of Hephaestus? Never have I seen a mortal run so swiftly, not even when spurred by the deathless gods themselves."

[inthenameofhades]

"Well. Having you call me stranger is both unexpectedly crushing and bizarrely familiar," he says. "You're not the one I usually hear that name from."

No, that was what Patroclus called him. Which...just made all this so much more surreal of an experience.

"I'm Zagreus. You haven't met me yet sir, but...you will, one day. After fate weaves your final stitch," he says. "And you still haven't seen a mortal move as swift as me, because I'm not one. I don’t get my feet from Hephaestus, though. That comes from my father, Hades."

[heelies]

As when Zeus' lightning splits the sky, surprise works across Achilles' countenance.

"I see," he ruminates as he rises to his feet, still gripping the bloody blade. "It is only fitting that in the house of death I should meet the son of Hades who carries all away. If the gods who watch over this country bade you come as a benison to its people, as they have so bidden me, then it pleases my heart to receive honors equal to those of the son of a god."

Even one so hated as Hades, he does not say, because Laertes' son Odysseus does not alone lay claim to tact. He bows his head in respect.

"Well met, Zagreus, son of Hades."

[inthenameofhades]

Zagreus has never really understood just why mortals feared and hated his father. Sure, Zagreus had his own, personal reasons for not getting along with him - but to the dead that were his charge, Hades always took great care and attention.

But then, mortals didn't get the chance to learn that until after they died, didn't they?

"I met you a long time ago, but...I'm pleased to have the chance to meet you again while you live, Sir," Zagreus says, smiling. And it's a warm smile, one meant for a close friend. "You are - will be - a great mentor to me. I learned a lot from you."

[heelies]

It is only natural that mortal men, who so love that which is familiar, the faces and shores of their own fatherland, and who so fear that which is unknown, should loathe the fathomless murk of death's distant banks. Thus, the lord of death Hades is marked by the same shadow of suspicion and fear.

"Ah, so that is why a deathless god such as yourself addresses me so — I shall one day tutor you as venerable Phoenix and wise Chiron once tutored me in turn. Although, how backwards it seems to me that a mortal man should have so much to teach one who never dies."

Achilles gestures to the blanket he has spread across the wet grass that he may kneel on it as he dresses the deer. Presently he sinks onto his haunches, a smile warming his expression.

"Come, sit with me, keep me company, son of Hades. I must finish this work before the rain begins anew."

[inthenameofhades]

"Of course! Though, I'd like to stand, if that's alright with you. I'm not very good at sitting." And indeed, there was a restless energy to Zagreus - often shifting on his feet, or moving from one spot to another as he spoke to Achilles. He was evidently someone who didn't really like to sit still.

"But I can assure you that you have very much to teach me, Sir. You're one of history's finest warriors. And...I've always appreciated your insight, and your guidance," Zagreus says, as he moves closer so he can get a better look at what Achilles is doing. "Actually...I'm hoping you might tell me about what you're doing. I've never really had the chance to learn hunting. We don't have creatures like this in the Underworld."

Come to think of it, Zagreus actually had no idea where most of the food he ate at the House came from. Except for the fish, of course.

[heelies]

"Stand, then, if it pleases your heart. How you remind me of myself in my youth, in those days when the vast wilds of Mount Pelion made my home. Hardly could I stay still, ever wishing to practice one more throw of of my long-shadowed spear or aim one more arrow, ever climbing, and swimming, and exploring. All that could make sitting still tolerable was this — work to keep busy my hands. That, and the stories spun by Chiron, wisest of the centaurs."

Fondness colors his recollections of these by-gone years, though he aches to tread those well-worn paths too, burdened as he is by the loss of his dear friend Patroclus, with whom he shared those years, and by the knowledge of his fast-approaching death.

As he slices through the felled deer's flesh, the son of Peleus explains to Zagreus, "I am preparing this beast for sacrifice, that I may make supplication to the gods. Some cuts of meat I shall reserve for my hosts, who have so graciously given the warmest welcome their humble station allows, but the lion's share shall go to the gods. First, I skinned the beast." He jabs his bloody knife toward the pelt laid out over a stone. "Now, I am carving up the best cuts."

[inthenameofhades]

Zagreus laughs softly. "That's not the first time you've said that," he says. Although in some ways, Zagreus does wonder if it was truly accurate to say you.

Because this version of Achilles that both was and wasn't the man Zagreus knew. There were differences that Zagreus already was picking up on - the manner of speech being the most notable. Was that something brought about by time and Achilles's own eventual death? Or was it because this Achilles was like Will, and Diana, and Julia - was he in fact from a world that was like Zagreus's, but not truly the same?

It didn't really matter, though. Because either way, Achilles was still fulfilling the role of mentor. Zagreus watches with interest as the man shows him the pelt, and begins to carve the beast. "Is it very difficult to remove the skin?" he asks, leaning down to get a better look at it.

[heelies]

How strange it seems to Achilles that to one whom he has just met, he is as familiar as the banks by which one grew to manhood — a deeper knowing than a man's name and deeds which are exalted in song across so many lands. Stranger still, Zagreus' familiarity strikes in Achilles the longing for a bond he cannot remember for it has yet to be forged. This is the nearest thing he has to familiar in a land so foreign.

Thus, warmly does he answer, "It is not so difficult, it only requires patience and practice. Just so with dividing the meat — one must know where to slice, but once he learns, it comes easily. Watch, son of Hades—"

As Peleus' son places his blade, he describes each step for his mentee. The narrator, however, has not eaten meat in over a decade and has no desire to delve into the subject on Google, so the audience will have to rely on imagination.

[inthenameofhades]

The audience will imagine well enough indeed, and Zagreus listens carefully to every word. For all that he's restless, and constantly moving about in some way or another, he pays close attention. This is not a lesson he will need to be taught again.

"Thank you," Zagreus says, when the lesson is complete. "And...I hope I am not making things too awkward for you. With me knowing you, but you not knowing me. I imagine it must be rather strange for you having someone you've never met being so familiar."

[heelies]

So passes the time, until the deer is expertly divided. Now Achilles wipes his hands and blade clean, and with a length of rope sets to tying up the cuts of meat that he might better carry them. In answer to Zagreus, he tilts an amiable look toward him.

"Strange it is, I cannot deny it — but not unwelcome. You are at once a stranger to me, and all that is familiar in so strange a land, where none know the names of the deathless gods who dwell on Mount Olympus nor the deeds of the sons of Achaea."

[inthenameofhades]

"There are some who know my family, actually. Even some who are, in fact. There's Diana, a goddess and daughter of Zeus. And Will, a demigod son of Apollo."

And Julia, in a strange, twisted way. But knowing she would not appreciate it, he doesn't mention her.

"But...you're right that they are both familiar and strange. I've learned that not all versions of my family are the ones that I know. Both Will and Diana come from worlds where the history of my family is not the same as mine, and there's some rather significant differences. I suppose the way I understand it is...they come from worlds where different paths were walked."

[heelies]

As when meat is tough and demands much of the jaw that chews it, so too do Zagreus' words require time to digest. Achilles ties another knot in the string and considers these diverging paths that the gods and their kin may have trod.

"Fate has sometimes laid out before a man two paths that may come to pass. So it was for me, when my mother silver-footed Thetis took me on her knee and told me my two-fold fate: that I should either gain glory in war but fall far from my fatherland, cut down in the full bloom of life...or else live out my life to the lees, growing old on Phthia's rich soil, my journey home safe, yes, but my fame gone forever, my name faded into forgetting."

Finishing another knot, the son of Peleus looks to Zagreus.

"Even the gods in all their power cannot steer fate from its course. They too must tread the path it has laid out. But who is to say fate has not laid out more than one path?"

ii

[infiniteban]

He has no idea who this guy is. He won't, even with the name drop. He paid someone to do his homework in school. Jack, the thin beanpole, would probably know Achilles.

Jack ain't here.

"Oh, I don't know. I bet there is. This place is all about the god-thing, so maybe the seer-thing, too. There's the redheaded firecracker Summoned." Pause. He's seen more than one of 'em. Ah well. "She's maybe seen something. But seems busy. So maybe she missed this one."

Travis is your run-of-the-mill bumpkin hunter.

Mostly.

He squints at the other new guy. Then at the sky. Then jabs a thumb. "I think the minds of the gods are displeased." A+, he's got this. "But uhh... yeah man! I love a good competition! Chariot across the sky though uh... what is that like.... 5 o'clock?"

Help Him.

[heelies]

Having no notion of what a clock is, Achilles is bemused in measure equal to Travis. He answers, "At the close of day, when we shall have no light by which to see."

He claps his hands against his thighs, his appetite for competition whetted like a blade against the sharpening stone.

"Very well, stranger! Let us have an honest contest — no aid from allies, nor sabotage of the other man. He who captures the most goats by his own strength, speed, and cunning, and restores the creatures to their pen alive, shall be crowned the victor. But before we begin, tell me, for I must know... Who is this fire-cracking woman of whom you speak?"

Having no notion of what a firecracker is either, he imagines an enchantress — one also born of the gods — who wields fire like a whip. No such woman has he seen.

[infiniteban]

Sure, okay. He can work with that timeframe.

"You got it."

Travis will be lucky if he gets three goats. Without his (frankly unruly, unhelpful) dogs he's a one-man army. And goats are... Well. Goats are some other creature entirely and may not be considered natural beasts. But then neither is Travis.

"Uhhh... think her name was Wanda? Yeah, something like that." He can't think of another name that would be close to Wanda.

[heelies]

Achilles privately avows to find this Wanda who may be gifted with god-sight such that Phoebus Apollo grants, then, striding through the grass, scans the wind-swept plain for the horns and shaggy scruff of goats.

"Let us begin, then!"

Before long, the first challenge arises: held aloft by whip-quick winds, a bleating goat hurtles over a hill. Astonished for only a fleeting moment, swift-footed Achilles starts his charge. He has no long-shadowed spear to throw, only his bare hands, for this is a different sort of hunt — slaughtering the beast assures not triumph but defeat.

I - the hunt

[hiswaterknife]

With his bone-white hair tied up in a tight bun, Eari is a pale shadow among the trees. It's all too easy to be deceived by his appearance. Swiftfooted, but thinboned and frail-looking, he does not paint a picture of a hunter to all minds, but the most keen. Sharp eyes can notice the feline grace he moves with. Not a leaf rustles, not single twig breaks where he passes.

"And what quarry have you pursued, brave hunter?"

The question floats in the air somewhere barely above Achilles' elbow. Does he mean only the animal kind? Who knows.

[heelies]

From Chiron, wisest of the centaurs, Achilles learned to tread the forest floor as softly as the sunlight that, passing through the leafy crowns of trees, plays its patterns across rock and root and moss. Thus, in this pale shadow of a boy he discerns the selfsame skill and grace. He knows that swiftness and stealth outweigh strength in the art of the hunt.

"All manner of beast have I hunted, from hare to deer to boar," the son of Peleus answers easily.

Of men, he has killed many but truly hunted only one: man-slaying Hector, son of Priam.

"What of you, who moves through the trees like shadow?"

[hiswaterknife]

Eari laughs softly. He has moved since his own questions has been asked. His silhouette barely discernible among the lights and shadows that play on the leaves.

"I have hunted the soft ones and the feathered ones. The one whose hearts beat as frantic as their feet in the thrill of the chase. The lightfooted ones and the ones that soar high."

Then he moves again, more like a shadow or a woodland spirit than a boy he looks as, and his words flow now from above the hero of Hellas mighty stature.

"But I like the dangerous most."

goatnado

[simils]

[ Beta sits up, tired, sweaty, dusty.

Fucking goats, man. ]

Can I just give up? You win. Goats are mean. And scary.

[ How do you even hold one? It's just asking to get bit. ]

[heelies]

[He hurls winged words at her:]

What is this you are saying? Already you would give up? Ah, but I suppose this work is ill-suited to women — unless she is blessed by the archer-goddess Artemis, or like swift-footed Atalanta whose arrow pierced the Calydonian boar.

[I am so sorry for the casual misogyny.]

[simils]

[ None taken, she knows she sucks. ]

Huh, that sounds like my sister. She would probably have already found every single goat.

But yeah...I'm not physically fit. At all.