TEST DRIVE MEME #20

[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 October.

The upcoming October application round is open to everyone again.

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 in stark modern robes and a large scroll. Two hunting dogs stand by, watching you curiously but politely. The sharply-dressed young looks up from his scroll with a pleased smile.

"There we are." He places a hand at his chest in a short bow. "I am Mace Hemmet, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne, here to cordially welcome you to our nation. You must be surprised, hm? Just calm yourself, I promise we'll explain everything in a moment."

Regardless of your response, he fluidly rolls the scroll back up and motions for one of the young apprentice mages over. "Let's settle our new guest in. New clothes, the works." He snaps his fingers. The dogs perk to attention and follow him out of the room.

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 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. With autumn well underway, the weather is cool and rain becomes more frequent. Leaves are beginning to turn yellow and orange. The castle is enchanted to be at a comfortable temperature.

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

• The city of Castle Thorne is largely safe and the main roads are clear, but debris and fallen trees are still a danger if you stray too far towards any off-beaten trails. Smaller roads are closed. You may hear rumors of a strange phenomenon taking place.


• 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. The mood in Thorne is grim but determined.


• Apprentices, kitchen staff, guards - everyone seems to be bustling as the new King and Queen settle into their roles. Portraits, paintings, and anything associated with the former monarchy has been taken down. The new High Mage, Mace Hemmet, has recently taken over and is determined to do things differently.


• When visiting Borrel, you'll see a large amount of construction going on, as new warships are being built at a rapid pace, using the aid of magic to speed things along.

◎ Exploring

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

Roaming Dolls
In preparation for the children who will Roam during Eifstide, the Castle is constructing autumn dolls to distribute on behalf of the King and Queen. Supplies will be laid out in one of the castle's rooms where you can create a variety of dolls using cloth leaves, waxed nuts, and yarn. An incantation is provided to enchant the dolls with a colorful sparkle, written in an ancient tongue. Make sure the pronunciation is perfect. A small mistake might cause your doll to turn a foul color or crumble into dust in your hands. If you possess your own magic, you can use that instead!

Magic Lessons
Regular magic lessons are held by apprentice mages as part of their training, usually involving learning to cast a small spell. Join if you wish! The spell they will be teaching is conjuring a modest wind spell that can cast a warming bubble over you. Perfect for when the weather gets cold! The spell relies on Academic Magic which involves a few words said correctly. You'll likely need a few lessons to grasp it unless you're well-versed in magic already. The class of fresh-faced students means there's a constant gush of steam as the spells fail. It isn't dangerous, but it can be annoying...and cause everyone in the room to become very damp.

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

◎ Settling In

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

As an important figure to the kingdom, you can't move out of the city of Castle Thorne without permission. If you're feeling restless, though, short trips to Nott or Borrel via portal are allowed, or you can visit Nocwich. Besides, 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 Borrel or the city of Castle Thorne. Or, you can do jobs in the castle itself.

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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, the sun remains bright at midday. At night, temperatures are beginning to dip lower than they did in summer. Bring a coat if you're not used to a slight chill. 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:

• Medical tents, temporary facilities, and other signs of disarray are evident throughout Cadens and Aquila. Libertas is less hectic, but several theaters and playhouses are boarded up, having shut down permanently. A line snakes out of Portam Hall day and night as citizens await their turn with the government. Nonetheless, the mood in the Free Cities is hopeful. It seems they've come into a recent victory.


• Soldiers continue to patrol the streets, keeping order as citizens begin to settle back into their normal lives in the aftermath of the attacks. Theft has become a larger problem, given the damage to some shops and merchant stalls, and the price of staple goods has risen greatly. You may hear rumors of a strange phenomenon taking place.


• 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.

Oh My Gourd
A researcher named Esi Hollandse has returned with an upgraded variant to her creation last year: a handheld "laser" tool powered by New Magic. Originally created for sculpting marble and stone, she's attempting to refine the device so it can carve gourds for Eifstide. Citizens are lining up to test it for themselves and retrieve a free pumpkin to carve in the process. Why not carve a pumpkin of your own? Of course, it's a bit of a two-person job - someone needs to hold the pumpkin while the other operates the device. Be careful! The invention is still in the works so now and again, a gourd might burst.

Talent Show
To raise much-needed funds, children at an orphanage in Libertas are putting on a talent show for passersby and will insist on your participation if they corner you. They'll cajole you into doing everything from acting in a puppet show portraying grand battles against strange monsters to assisting with dance rehearsals. Be sure to bring your enthusiasm! Naturally, as with all talent shows, there might be a terrible emergency that needs your help. You could find yourself being asked to help with costume problems or to locate missing instruments and props.

Traveling Merchants
Word of new arrivals spread quickly to enterprising merchants. Many will arrive with samples of their wares, offering free things to try. These items include miniature pastries, trinkets powered by New Magic similar to those cheap flashing toys one find at a carnival, ales, fresh fruits, and healing elixirs. Not all of the elixirs are of proper quality. Some are akin to snake oil and might have adverse (though harmless) effects - take care not to accidentally turn your hair bright green or similar. All of the merchants will be gathered at a central point in the barracks so they'll be hard to miss. Maybe you can make a friend or two while perusing.

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

◎ Settling In

When you're ready to turn in, the barracks are waiting for you. They have a communal bathing room at the end of the hall, with curtains that can be pulled around the individual raised round tubs for privacy. Each barracks room is rather sparse. Six simple beds 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. There is a great deal of new recruits around you this time. The Free Cities has been hard at work filling its ranks.

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. Now in autumn, the weather is chilly and thunderstorms increase in frequency. 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:

• A few strings of animal bones decorate and hang among the trees in the forest, while the Tertiary Settlement has an abundance of broken seashells scattered across its shoreline, as if a large amount has recently shattered and has not yet all been swept away by the tide.


• Some shops and stalls have yet to reopen. The strong community means in Solvunn everyone has chosen to pitch in to help each other out, delivering meals, repairing broken gates, and exchanging essential goods.


• Fishermen in the Tertiary Settlement are thriving since the arrival of the God who created the storm wall. Extra fish means you'll likely be offered jars of pickled herring, fresh cod, and plenty of shrimp to feast on.


• An offering bowl has been placed out in dedication to Winifred Bordeaux, who recently sacrificed herself for the good of the commune. It can be found in the woods next to Vagn's shrine, the Guardian of Last Passage.

◎ Exploring

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

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

Shrine Offerings
As a new arrival, you'll be encouraged to perform your first offering. Solvunn believes offerings in the tradition of High Magic will ensure continued protection from the Gods. 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 woods are mostly safe, 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.

Evening Feast
Potluck-style feasts are common in the settlement as a way to strengthen the community. You'll be invited to join in one of these feasts at any time, held outdoors in a lush grove filled with wildflowers. As a new arrival, you won't be expected to bring anything yourself but you'll make a better impression if you do so even if it's merely a few apples you picked in the morning. Want to help hang decorations before the feast? Your assistance is more than welcome! Place flowers, pin ribbons, or lay the tablecloths. The food is simple and hearty, ranging from stews, roasts, fresh bread, and puddings. If you're shy, someone will be there to fill your cups and plates if you won't do so yourself. Eat, drink, and be merry - it's what the gods would want.

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

◎ Settling In

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

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

Questions

[abraxasmods]

Theodore Blackwell 🌊 Into the Drowning Deep

[glibbery]

general arrival flavor

The voyage of the Melusine was intended to be Theodore Blackwell's last hurrah.

Fate had been against its humble crew's survival out there in the open waters surrounding the Mariana Trench. Their mission was a catch 22: success meant the near-guarantee they were signing their own death certificates. Theo had known this, and he'd chosen to sail anyway. Perhaps it would be the man's last great heroic act, but at least he'd have that. Out of the blue and into the black.... it's better to burn out than fade away.

Nowhere in the blueprint were any contingencies for being sucked through a portal and into a world at war with itself...

Theo has very much had quite enough of making first contact. His lungs don't strain against the swirling tide pool that surrounds him. Instead it feels, at long last, like his due. Against the bright light the willowy man closes his eyes and wishes to sink deeper, even as he's yanked through, bare as a newborn and equally as displeased to find himself in the midst of yet another world he never asked to be born to.

thorne

MAGIC LESSONS

It comes as remarkably benign news to Theo that magic is real. Not because he possesses any of his own, nor because it held any place in the world he's come from. But the man has just made a name for himself as the first person on earth to definitively prove the existence of sirens. A discovery like that can only scratch the surface of what's lurking in the depths just past human exploration. Theo knows there are entire worlds he doesn't know. So why not magic?

He approaches it all like it's a new scientific puzzle: the man is methodical and reverent of this potential new power. Unfortunately, that doesn't make him very good at harnessing it. His tongue trips over the incantation and the air above his head looms thickly before wheezing out a few drops of condensation.

There was a time he trusted waves underfoot even more than the solid ground. The water was an extension of himself, a fluid partner that carried him easily. But now Theo can't find that part of his body that used to welcome the chaos of the surf. It's not long until he finds himself in a heap on the castle floor, cursing himself.

PAINTING SESSION

He can try as hard as he'd like to pretend otherwise and do a passably good job at fooling most everyone around him, but Theo will never fully expel the brine of the sea from his lungs. Beyond the tailored suits and the days spent behind a desk with a cell phone permanently pressed up against his cheek, the man is an eternal thalassophile. He'll probably never again feel the easy thrill of commanding a barreling wave and coasting through sandbars, but privately he reminds himself that he is actually, literally, functionally part jellyfish.

He wanders Borrel like he's in no rush to get anywhere in particular, taking in the sights and the smells that feel half-familiar, despite the very impossibility of this place. When he comes across the painting session, he can't help but laugh, struck by the complete anachronism of the scene. He's reticent to pick up a brush himself, but Theo might be spotted thoughtfully considering others' masterpieces or holding a piece of ice blue sea glass up to the light. It's almost a perfect match for his pale eyes.

nocwich

Without a single coin to his name, Theo's presence in Nocwich is mostly exploratory. The thin man ambles among the shops and stalls with a gait that seems labored by a pain he obstinately refuses to let show in his face. He speaks in a mild, measured voice to any shopkeeper who catches his eye, seemingly without the anxiety of being spotted turning down their wares. His questions to all of them are similar: how did they learn to make their wares, where do they get their ingredients, and which of their products is the most precious?

In time he'll make his way to the hot springs, and the sirenic call of the water will be enough to overcome any hesitation at stripping bare. Clothes set aside, Theo sinks into the springs with the kind of purgative groan that can only come from a man who really, really needs all the healing they have to offer. If anyone comes to join him he'll be polite, but won't avoid eye contact simply for the sake of false propriety.

network

I hope this is working.

Forgive the intrusion. My name is Theodore Blackwell, and I'm one of the so-called "newly Summoned." I need to speak privately with someone who might be familiar with the pharmacological advancements of this place. I hate to say it's rather urgent.

---

All right, I'm giving Theo another go. I've missed Abraxas too darn much and I feel like he'd be a fun change of pace for me.
You can find me at stickyholograms for plotting, or just chuck anything my way and I'll be glad to roll with it.

network

[carmesi]

If you are expecting a pharmacy, you are not going to find one. There are apothecaries, herbal remedies, that kind of thing. I guess it varies also on the territory you've been summoned into.

Thorne, magic lessons

[northerndragon]

Jon usually finds the climate in Thorne more or less agreeable -- crisp enough, not too hot. But the room people are practicing in is downright steamy. Tied back though they are, his curls are sticking to his neck. And he has only ducked into this room because Theonia Townsend is among the children practicing the spell, and he means to reassure her that he still seeks her doll.

Before he can speak to her, he finds himself offering a hand to a new arrival -- someone much older than his very young pupil.

"You all right?" His brow is crinkled with concern.

m̷a̷g̷i̷c̷ l̷e̷s̷s̷o̷n̷s̷

[stations]

He comes to these sometimes, now. It's been a long time since his first one, that weird and awkward lesson that they nudged him toward right after his original time being Summoned here. It had gone... about as well as Theo's first attempt, actually, but a little weirder because weirdness tends to touch everything Jack does. It's been over two years since then, not counting the few months he went back home. He's grown a lot. Had training from some of the best Summoned mages in Thorne, and he's actually pretty good at this stuff now. Not amazing or anything, but definitely not bad.

But it's not just about being good at it. It's that he's been trying to step up, trying to do more. Trying to be more for the Summoned, in a way that would've been inconceivable to him a few years back. He wants to help, and tentatively stepping in to these magic lessons as a volunteer is one of the first ideas he'd had.

He lingers mostly off to the side a while, watching the practice, looking for people who are struggling — and who don't look like they'd yeet him into the sun for having the audacity to quietly step in. Theo stands out, and so before long, a skinny, green-eyed man with a magical prosthetic leg and nine total fingers unobtrusively slides in beside him.

"Hey, um... You're doing really good for your first try, but I could give you some pointers really quick, if you want."

network

[diametrically]

[ Cassian understands the lack of pharmacological advancements being a bit of a disappointment. And as much as he still dislikes this whole mind message thing, it's what they've got to work with. ]

i heard there's a summoned who's a doctor in the free cities but that might not help you much if you aren't there
there might be other means of getting what you need - it just depends on what it is

Daisy Johnson | Agents of SHIELD(Marvel Television) | Solvunn | Strength

[morethan084]

Arrival in Solvunn | (CW for mentions of strangulation and other violent injuries before coming here.) 

[One moment, Daisy was falling into a restless sleep, and the next she's floating in an unknown place. It feels like a vivid dream, or nightmare, as Daisy tries to scream. Calling out for Lincoln as she often does in her sleep these days, and for a moment she thinks he’s finally heard her from wherever she is, as a hand suddenly reaches for her and she grabs onto it without hesitation.

Stumbling, Daisy falls to her knees onto an unfamiliar stone floor. Gasping for air, she winces at how painful breathing is at the moment. Not just because she was seemingly drowning, but she was still recovering from a violent fight just a few hours prior in which she had almost been choked to death. Ears ringing, it takes Daisy a moment to hear someone talking about the gods. A gentle breeze rolls through, and that’s when she notices that she’s naked. All of her injuries are on display—namely a variety of bruises on her face, neck, and arms. 

Looking up for the first time from her spot on the floor, there’s a panicked look on her face, as she makes eye contact with the first person her eyes land on. If she weren't in so much pain, she would’ve gotten up immediately.]

Exploring

Helping Hand

[Many of the people Daisy has come across so far have been eager to talk with her or help her, which is why she tries to stay in the shadows. She’s not used to people looking at her and smiling, not when she’s a wanted fugitive back home. Daisy’s experience with God and anything to do with religion is complicated at best, and she’s already told a few people that their God has made a mistake, that she doesn’t belong here.

Seeing everyone working together to help fix broken shops and stalls leaves Daisy with a pit in her stomach. That urge to help them gnawing away at her because deep down, she cares a lot about people. And it’s why she’s hesitant to offer her help. She feels as though it’s better for everyone that she keeps her distance. She’s dangerous to be around. 

It’s not until someone is trying, and failing to hammer pieces of wood back together that she finally steps in. The wood clattering to the ground snaps her out of her negative thoughts, and she finds herself walking towards them without thinking.]

Here. I’ll hold it still while you hammer.

[Should she be up and moving around right now? Probably not. But it’s just another way her self-sabotaging comes through.]

Evening Feast

[The wool sweater she had been given is doing a good job of keeping Daisy warm as she’s ushered to the outdoor potluck by one of the townsfolk. She did her best to protest, but they did an even better job of tuning her out until she was seated next to someone and they were filling up the cup set in front of her.]

They really don’t seem to understand the meaning of the word ‘no’ around here.

[Daisy says dryly to the person next to her once the ‘helpful’ resident leaves to fill up her plate with food.]

Nocwich

Window shopping

[Despite being very wary of everything and everyone that Daisy has experienced here so far, she can’t help but be curious about this place that requires a portal and a pendant to enter. Maybe it was the talk of werewolves and vampires that piqued her curiosity. 

So when she hears word that the portal has opened, she’s one of the first to go through. With no weapons but her knowledge of martial arts to protect her, should these ‘vampires’ or ‘werewolves’ decide to cause trouble with her. Moving out of the way as someone rushes past her to reunite with a friend, she watches as they embrace tightly. Daisy’s thoughts immediately go to Simmons, and she has to look away from them.

Daisy wanders through the stalls, picking up something that says it contains vampire blood.]

I don’t want to know why anyone would need something like this.

[She says out loud before placing it back down.]

Hustling

[Having hustled quite a few times back in the day, Daisy finds herself drawn to the gambling den. It becomes clear quite quickly that a lot of people here are vampires, and for a while she watches them gamble in a variety of different games. Eventually, Daisy joins in when she spots someone who doesn’t appear to be a vampire join in on one of the games.]

Count me in too. 

[She says as she rises from her seat at the bar, taking her drink over to the table they were all seated at.]

I’ve never played before, have you?

Wildcard

[Have something else in mind? Feel free to write something below or PM me/message me on plurk morethan084 ! This applies to all of my prompts!]

nocwich

[sophos]

[ three days a month sometimes does not feel like enough time to play catch up, but annabeth still visits nocwich whenever it's open, at the very least for a change of scenery and break from the restrictions of thorne. ]

[ her first encounter with the blood products had gone similarly in the sense of bemusement over their miscellaneous uses, but she's not above a little teasing in her tone. just wait till this woman finds the blood wine. ]

Well. They are vampires. In the literal sense of the word. [ no metaphors here. ] Personally, I prefer looking through the werewolf yarn.

rita farr | doom patrol | the star | solvunn

[farr]

I 🌟 SOLVUNN PATROL

[ all rita ever wants is to feel important, so when she's told that the moment she arrives, it's a satisfying welcoming that spread a pleasant warmth of fulfillment through all of her body. unfortunately, that brief shine of joy is only temporarily gifted once she's faced with the reality of her newly assigned home.

picking at the wool dress she'd been given, trying to fight the uncomfortable, itch of it against her skin, her nose scrunches at the fishy smell that seems to cling heavily around her, though that may have something to do with the jars of pickled herring shoved in her arms as an apparent gift before she could very insistently deny them. now she's burdened with far more jars than even a stomach like hers would be able to handle. ]

Excuse me! You there! Yoohoo! [ trying her best to cradle the jars against the crook of one arm, the ginger-haired woman gives a wave of her other attempting to catch the closest chance of attention from a passerby, her smile beaming with the brightness of her teeth. ] Might I interest you in some of the finest fish found south of — [ her words hang for a moment, lips pursing with the loss of her smile as she shakes her head, dropping the false exaggerated sell. ] Just ... please take these things off my hands. You'd think they were trying to feed a bear with all of this. And could you please tell me there's a hair dryer somewhere in this quaint little Amish village or, at the very least, a brush?

II 🌟 GOAT PATROL

[ the concept of the race seemed harmless, for all the short time that she believed it was a mere betting pool in which she'd linger on the side lines. actual participation had not been what she'd signed up for.

and yet, there she is, tiptoeing around a puddle of mud as she tries to give a wave of her hands to motion her goat to move, all the while that it stands there, standing at her with non-blinking eyes. ]

Oh, come on! Don't you see that both of our credibility is on the line here? Do you want to face ridicule from all your little goat buddies? Just imagine you're Mickey Rooney in The Big Wheel, aiming for the Indianapolis 500. Put yourself in the role, goggles strapped on and foot on the pedal and — [ she groans, plucking a small piece of a held carrot and tossing it further along the path. ] Let's go! Mush! Hike!

[ and yet, the goat merely stares, unmoving save for a subtle tilt of its head. ]

Fine! Like I care! [ she drops her arms to her side, tossing the remainder of the carrot carelessly to the side. ] I've won awards, you know. I was a Golden Globe nominee. I don't need this mediocre mud slop victory anyway!

III 🌟 NOCWICH PATROL

[ considering that solvunn didn't have much to offer in the way of decently fashionable attire — not to rita's standards anyway, outside of decent costume choices for an outdoor production of oklahoma! — the shopping stalls at oleuni square have proven to be a most appreciated change, enough on offer that doesn't make her look like a poor farmer's wife.

with a silkier maroon dress pressed to her front, rita steps in front of the stall's offered mirror to determine if the choice is ultimately worth spending the little coin she has. except the moment her eyes fall upon her own reflection, rather than looking to the dress, she focuses her attention on her face — a little more worn, tired, lacking the makeup typically set in place to perfect the tone and colors of an actress' face.

suddenly, the panic starts to swell within her chest, jaw going tense with worry at the perception of every other pair of eyes in this marketplace and what they might see when they look at her. the anxiety of it doesn't remain within her however, as the skin of her cheek begins to droop like melting wax, dragging down heavy towards her chin. rita's grip of the dress loosens as it falls to the group, her own body nearly following as she crouches down with bent knees, huddled forward with her hand pressing tightly against her disfigured cheek.

when she can sense someone starting to hover over her nearby, she merely gives a well-practiced laugh, not looking up, her voice aiming for casual and relaxed but barely masking her trepidation. ] Oh, don't — don't mind me! Stupid coin rolled under the cart. Just my darnedest luck.

IV 🌟 WILD CARD PATROL

( i'm open to trying out different settings and scenarios, especially with those outside of solvunn! feel free to pm me about trying something else or just toss up a setup and i can roll with it. just as a note, i have quite a few family obligations this weekend so i might be a bit slow at first, but i'm eager to throw rita into any and all shenanigans ♥ )

don't yoohoo her

[carmesi]

( every time they have someone new being summoned, the expectation for wanda is that it is bound to be someone eccentric. either they are inherently strange, or something about them—like their powers, herself included—makes them weird.

attempts at pretenses always go so far in solvunn before the rough work and dullness of every day wears away at those, as it hardly has a place within the commune's more simple and basic rhetorics. )

...south of...?

( at the silence, wanda echoes the last words, before the woman drops the sell pitch entirely. easily enough, wanda reaches for two of the jars, to help her with her fishy burden. she glances at them momentarily—oh, this must be a new batch of pickled herring.

it'll be delicious with some diced onions.

wanda glances back up at the woman. )

You won't find any electricity here to power a hair dryer, but I have some brushes you could use. I was just on my way back to my place, if you want to come with.

( wanda needs a nap )

rowena macleod ★ supernatural ★ the high priestess ★ solvunn

[magike]

★ SHRINE OFFERINGS

( rowena's there only out of curiosity herself, having heard small mentions of the gods in this place and whilst she'd (reluctantly) allowed her to be encouraged (corralled, it felt) to the shrines she didn't have any intention of making an offering. making an offering to a god? not her style. nor her belief, as much as she currently feels the lack of her magic.

but whilst she doesn't believe in this practice she doesn't condemn those that do, quiet initially as she walks around the shrines, trying to feel something of a power that might be lingering. she at least knows enough to believe that the gods likely do exist here.

it's only after a little of her own searching does she ask a question of the person that had come with her, that had been content in making their own offering as she'd walked around )

What makes you believe in their power?

★ NOCWICH

( it's the market that first draws rowena's attention, even if there's very little that she can currently do there, looking for anything that might catch her interests (spell ingredients, other magical supplies), lingering longer at the stalls with various herbs and elixirs for sale.

later she'll find herself closer to lady elin's tent, half-disappointed in the lack of presence from the woman, taking instead to asking others nearby if they've visited her before.

the next day rowena finds herself (accidentally) at the gambling den, though she opts to stay, trying to see what money she can earn at the place )

You couldn't have a seat for someone new?

( though there's an innocent smile on her rowena is far from new to the cards in front of her, and if the game is new she'll pick it up quick. magically. new or not she's a hustler and with her magic flowing back to her very inclined to magically cheat )

★ WILDCARD
alternatively, rowena will be quite nosy around solvunn and nocwich itself you have another idea in mind!

Shrine Offerings

[inferiority_complex]

(Chris was honestly only there for two reasons. One. Since he'd been kidnapped without any witch supplies he was having to gather his own stock again. It was too bad Rowena wasn't with him a week ago when he was gatherine deer organs and parts. Honestly, he wasn't used to getting it directly from the deer. And it wasn't like there were occult supply shops, or even amazon here. And Chris didn't like feeling helpless. Or at least unprepared. Which led him to reason two. His family had a history of being burned at the stake. He was pretty sure the people of Solvunn were familiar with that practice.)

The ability to create nationwide chaos? But I haven't been here that long. I do know that if you don't play nice, the locals get angry.

(Chris was perfectly fine with people not liking him. He was less okay with not being able to find food or shelter, or adding to the list of Warren witches burned at the stake.)

If you want to play chicken with the locals, try and do it down wind?

iris black | countdown to countdown | thorne | the hanged man

[inventure]

exploring

roaming dolls — [ could iris make a dozen or so of these roaming dolls at the literal stroke of a brush? could he even (dare he say) improve upon the design a little? yeah. obviously. but when in rome, right? it's early enough he figures he might as well give it a shot; he'd always been too (lazy) distracted with the limits of his powers to bother with sewing or anything like that, but getting pulled into a brand new world is the kind of jarring that makes one reconsider how one lives their life, you know? what if, god forbid, one day he gets pulled somewhere without his powers?? he'd be all on his own then!

no no, it's a good idea to try and expand one's skillset. sewing leaves and such isn't so bad... he had kind of a shaky start for a second there but he thinks he's really getting the hang of thi— ]

Ow!

[ .... okay maybe he should stick to the brushes after all. 😖😖😖 he's bleeding oh my god help is it infected ohmygod ]

painting session — [ so, the painting itself? perfect, wonderful, calming. he's definitely in his element here, sitting pretty in front of a canvas that honestly looks like it's been finished for the past half-hour. yet still iris lingers; partly because he keeps thinking to add a few other details, or tweak some previous ones whenever his fancy demands it. the real reason he's lingered? ]

Can you believe this is just grape juice?

[ someone has dipped into the wine part of this painting and wine session with a little too much (?) enthusiasm. don't look down on him too much, okay? they always had wine during the tower's boring fancy galas, but he was never allowed even a taste... why wouldn't he want to try it now that he's able and away from the madam's watchful eye?

okay, so maybe he's a little too giggly. he hasn't stopped smiling for a little over an hour now, and his face is starting to hurt. but, like. a good kind of hurt, y'know? ]

nocwich — [ apparently, even getting dumped into the more luxurious option doesn't mean you're free of the grind. fortunately, iris happens to have a pretty marketable skillset. unfortunately? he's not that great of a salesman. who knew that the area shrouded in eternal darkness would mean making an honest sale extra hard? who knew! ]

Rip off? What do you mean rip off?

[ there iris stands, positioned awkwardly between his little portrait set up (he doesn't even have a proper easel, just a stool, his sketchbook, and a dream) and his quote-unquote customer... a rather unhappy looking man trying to wave him off. iris shakes his sketchbook in the air, page turned towards a chalk portrait that (not to toot his own horn here or anything) is a perfect likeness of the man currently trying to avoid paying for it. ]

This was exactly what you wanted! You can't just not pay!

settling in

and they were roommates — [ maybe you took a wrong turn. maybe you just have questionable luck. whatever the reason, you just so happened to open the door that leads into iris' new living quarters, and the important thing to note is: he has never had a roommate before.

no, actually, maybe what's most important is: he's barely even had a friend who'd want to be around him for that long.

try to bear all this in mind when, the second you open that door, your personal space is suddenly just iris, who seems to have propelled himself from his bed to greet his (gasp) roommate. ]

Hi! [ oh, that was loud wasn't it? ] Hey. Sorry. [ well, now he's whispering. ] Uh. [ okay, good, totally normal voice level. ] Hi — I'm Iris. I guess we're roommates now, huh? Don't worry, I totally don't snore. Oh but it's okay if you do! Which bed's yours? I think I took the unoccupied one. Are the others occupied? Do we [ (gasp) ] have more roommates???

network

[ the first thing that shimmers into your view: a sketch of an iris slowly blooming and withering away on repeat, having fun on its own little corner as the following words gradually fade into view: ]

i read about places like this before, when i was a lot younger

[ and those types of books hadn't been banned yet. ]

fantasy and nobility and sprawling kingdoms filled with magic and stuff
are there dragons here too?
it's kind of cool, living in it
i heard not everyone who shows up gets to stay in the fancy castle though
can those people see this too? are you guys doing alright? they keep us pretty cozy over here
it'd be kinda sucky if that's not the case for everybody else

oh, and does anybody know why this mind thing won't let me add color? shading?? this iris is looking kind of sad

ooc

( if none of these prompts work, hmu via pm and let's plot something out! iris' info can be found here; he has what essentially amounts to creation magic so while i'll be playing with it during the tdm i won't go too crazy in anticipation of some nerfing 🫡 )

nocwich

[aquilus]

[Altaïr is not in the habit of assuming others cannot fight their own battles — underestimating even the most harmless-looking of the Summoned would be a poor habit to develop — but the shouting catches his eye and prompts him to pause rather than make his way through the square to his destination.

For all he knows, the young man is extremely formidable, but he looks smaller and weaker, which is enough for some to consider him a target. Altaïr steps up beside him, 'casually' perusing the drawing.]

This is fine work. Worth a fair amount, I would say.

[The sketchbook hanging out of his own knapsack may or may not lend credence to the idea that he knows what he's talking about.]

Luke Castellan | Percy Jackson | Solvunn | The Tower

[anineiron]

Arrival

After what feels like a long and disorienting situation, Luke finds himself in the primary settlement. He shifts awkwardly as he tries to find a place to sit down and mentally compartmentalize everything. He was sure he'd died. Absolutely certain of it. So much so that he can't help but keep reaching over to touch his armpit, feeling around for something that isn't there.

This obviously isn't the Underworld. He's been there before. But it feels like some weird sort of punishment. Had Hermes done something to change what happened or was this simply what the man that brought him here said it was?

He wanders for a while, just trying to get a feel for where he is and what's going on. He doesn't feel fully himself and trying to tap into his abilities is not working out for him. He is focusing on the people, the way that they seem so happy to see him when he's not even fully sure he's happy to be seen. He doesn't feel that he deserves any sort of reverence and so getting it is making him feel uncomfortable. He's forcing himself to avoid eye contact while hoping his resting uncomfortable face isn't reading as annoyance.

After some time, Luke looks up at the sky, noting the dark clouds. "Maybe I should go inside." No sooner has he said it than it starts pouring. "Well, this is great."

Offerings

He's been given a few instructions to get a couple things on his own for offerings to gods he doesn't know and trusts even less than his own. This is probably a side effect of the gods that he's dealt with before. The amount of anger and negative emotions all swirling around inside him. He hasn't asked about the gods too much to avoid sounding like he doesn't like the idea of them. He might ask one day. He stands awkwardly off to the side and contemplates eating the food he picked. Since he's apparently still alive to eat it.

"No hard feelings, but I don't even give offerings to my own dad." Not anymore anyway. Is it awkward to address random gods you don't even know? Will this end up poorly? Luke can't say, but here he is anyway.

Tertiary Settlement

Warnings aside, Luke has made the life choice to go off on his own. It's probably a touch of stubbornness mixed with not really trusting too many people and not really wanting to ask anyone to go with him. So he sets off, casually trying to see what else is out there.

It seems fine. There's a lot of shells and the trees are full of what feels like unusual decorations. But he seems fine enough. He's just casually picking up a few shells when he feels like something or someone is watching him.

"Are you just going to stare? I get enough of that in the other place."

Nocwich

The offer for him to get out of Solvunn for a minute seems like a blessing. He wanders around, looking at the stores and trying to find things that he might like to get when he has gotten some actual money.

He stares for a while at the flowers. The fact that they glow is something curious enough. He's never seen anything like it himself, so he can't help but be interested. But he doesn't want to seem overly absorbed since he doesn't know the place or who is around. He's already avoided someone asking about blood samples.

nocwich

[ordinar]

Wilhelm has got some time to kill before he's supposed to meet up with a friend, so he wanders the square to see what cool new wares the merchant stalls might carry. Since he added a Borrel leg to his delivery route in the summer, his purse gets fatter faster. He definitely doesn't miss the days when all he could afford was looking.

Speaking of which, he notices the young man contemplating a burst of glowing flowers. The tense seriousness he holds around his shoulders makes him stand out from the crowd. Most people come to Oleuni Square for leisure and relaxation, but this guy looks wary of all the hubbub.

It can be a little hard to tell sometimes, but...he lacks the ethereal air that vampires seem to exude, and he looks too golden and California-sun-kissed to be a werewolf, so Wilhelm concludes that he must be human. Moreover, he must be new.

"The vampires aren't going to bite, you know," he says as he comes up next to Luke. He's mindful to approach from the side rather than surprise him from behind. "They're way too classy for that."

mercedes von martritz, fire emblem: three houses / free cities / the empress

[martritz]

talent show.

[ much like back home, mercedes looks out of place amidst the soldiers and the general militaristic vibe of cadens; too soft, too pliant, a gentleness that doesn't seem to have a place here despite her years in war. although the uniform fits her, it's uncomfortable and stifling, having grown too accustomed to her robes. but she makes do, as she usually does — she gets along with the children, and they've all too easily roped her into helping with the talent show.

she's been mainly relegated to mending torn costumes and stitching together puppets, though she can be found helping to look for the missing instruments and props. likely not a very good idea when she's such a fresh face, especially when she ends up bumping into someone— ]

Oh! Excuse me. [ she takes a step back, an apologetic smile on her face. ] I'm very sorry. Are you all right?

oh my gourd.

It's certainly fancy.

[ the... laser tool, she means. what happened to just using a regular knife? but she's not one to turn down the opportunity to help, so she holds up her pumpkin and turns to the person next to her. ]

How steady are your hands?

nocwich.

[ while most people may be wary about the eternal night in nocwich, mercedes seems to find it charming, a pleased smile on her face as she wanders among the stalls in the marketplace. there's a vast variety of things she hasn't seen before, but chief among them are the glowing night blooms. rather than save what little coin she has, she ends up buying a few of them.

... only to turn around and offer it to the next person she comes across, slipping the stem into an empty button hole or a breast pocket. ]

For you.

wildcard.

[ feel free to catch her anywhere else in nocwich or cadens! hit me up if none of the above prompts spark joy and i can throw something together! as a note, i'm voicetesting so please be gentle with me. ]

oh my gourd is right >.>

[philancer]

[ Eifstide is not a festival Sylvain has paid a lot of attention to in his time here - it's not quite like the harvest festivals he's far more accustomed to back home, although he supposes a few of the themes still manage to be familiar.

He hadn't really intended to take part in much of the preparations or decorating for it, though. Mostly, he'd just been content to wander, to see what was new here. Honestly? He's a little surprise they're even celebrating, with a war looming. Something he's no more happy about now as he'd been about it back home.

But still, that familiar voice from off to his left is enough to have his steps slowing, then stopping, sure that his mind must be paying tricks on him. It's been so long since he'd heard it, he has to wonder if something is messing with him again. But when his eyes land on her familiar form, he goes still, his breath hitching in surprise - along with a complicated tumble of emotions at the familiar features. ]

...Mercedes?

d ( vampire hunter d )

[sunsickness]

FREE CITIES
a.
[ at d's age, there isn't much that surprises him anymore-- not about the world, the people in it, or the things that happen there. to find himself quite abruptly on another planet, however, drawn out of a pool of water? yes, that had admittedly taken a few minutes to adjust to.

and now here he is in a city they call cadens. uniformed, long dark curls loosely braided, disarmed and with neither horse nor gear anywhere to be found. he doesn't even have a hat, which might prove to be troublesome in the coming days. this place is a desert, and the sun beating down on him is.. particularly unpleasant with nothing to shield his eyes or face. he's likely due for a bout of sunlight syndrome soon, and with his abilities feeling particularly weak and distant.. it might be even sooner than he thinks. ]

--With a wide brim, something that shades the face and nape, [ he's explaining quietly to one of the merchants, who seem troubled neither by his looks, nor his pallor and pointed ears. they're all usually signs of a dhampir on the frontier, and it's strangely disorienting to find that isn't true here. or if it is, even more strangely, no one seems to mind.

as the vendor goes to look through his wares, d gingerly picks up another hat, turning it over to view the price with a slight, puzzled downturn of his mouth. ] .. Hm. I may be waiting a while to make such a purchase.


b.
[ if d has problems with the accommodations, his beautiful face doesn't show them. instead, there's a rough, muffled voice that suddenly speaks up from somewhere around his thigh.. maybe where his left hand is, even. ]

Wow, what a dump.

[ the voice abruptly cuts off as his hand balls into a fist. ]


NOCWICH
a.
You're trying to tell me that night creatures just.. live here? And humans don't get slaughtered by the droves?

[ that rough voice again, obviously not coming from d himself, given his mouth didn't move. instead, he's.. well, watching. the eternal night here wouldn't be suitable long-term for humans here, but still, this-- this has managed to stun him into stillness. he'd heard about it, of course, in the short time he's been on this planet, but actually experiencing it is another thing altogether. this would never be possible on the frontier. vampires ruled for too long and too cruelly. ]

Hey, bet he'd love this, huh? Yeah, your old ma-- [ the fist clenches, cutting off the voice with a muffled yelp. ] That's enough.


b.
[ well, he's here for a reason, isn't he? he has needs that unfortunately can't be met in cadens-- at least, not in a way he'd accept. ]

Humans.. volunteer their blood. [ there's a dubious note in his usually-detached voice, matching the puzzled expression of the vampire he'd stopped to speak to. if conversing politely with a vampire wasn't absurd enough, hearing that said vampires only accept blood donations certainly is.

stranger still, hearing that they often drink animal blood instead. obtaining or making plasma pills may be more difficult than he'd imagined. ]


WILDCARD
[ idk man, hmu if you want a custom starter. embarrassing note i have to make bc the author makes it so often: d's good looks are basically supernatural (as a dhampir), he literally stops traffic back home. so feel free to be like Well That Isn't Normal (nothing about d really is lbr). ]

Nocwich, A

[cryptsleeper]

[He'd love this.

It is a thought that Alucard has often had while in Nocwich, thinking of Dracula and what the most benign version of his eternal night might look like. Nocwich is not far off the map. There's food, there's functioning society, vampires can play their power games and no one gets hurt or eaten too much.

But it would never be this calm under Dracula. Not when all the threats of eternal night came from when the man was at his worst and lowest, mired in anger and grief and revenge. He knows this fact well.

What Alucard does not know is who this other he is. It isn't his business strictly, not while sitting off to the side of the market and people watching, trying to just enjoy the fleeting time they are given here.

None of that stops him from looking up to see who is speaking. Alucard sees the fist clench, and that's a fascinating detail. The paleness is likewise something he notes, but just as quickly as he looks up, Alucard breaks the gaze. He is well aware that is is staring and that is rude. Especially since this face is unfamiliar to him.]

sebille | divinity: original sin 2 | free cities | hanged man/tower

[preyed]

[ In truth, her arrival couldn't have been more poorly timed. To have claimed her victory, to have taken the life of that foul creature who has held her enslaved for so long... To know some measure of peace even as she was covered in his blood.

And then to be pulled from water like a soaked and drowning cat, naked, wracked with the remnants of pure adrenaline. It wasn't her finest moment, then, to stare at unknown faces and to feel as if she had finally and truly gone mad. How ironic, that to be free of that wretch and to fall apart anyway. Shameful.

There was kindness, understanding even, at her shaking. At her rage, at her loss. She supposes, several days after her arrival, that they only assumed the shock was from her transport, the ritual. Someone must find it a cruel joke, to have done this to her. It's a miracle she didn't truly lash out in that moment.

For the first two days, Sebille has been holed up in the barracks, under blankets and in the dark, adjusting poorly to this new reality. Perhaps it's the absence of Source - or the inability to grasp it, as she feels it flow like blood in her veins - or perhaps it's simply the hollow feeling in her chest at her lost prize. For a woman who has only wanted to be free for the longest time, to now suddenly be without companions, without certainty of her victory, and flung into something foreign and new to her...it all feels wrong. It feels like failure. She imagines Tir-Cendelius mocking her, furious in his impotence. And yet she cannot hear him now, cannot feel him in the twining of her Source. Good riddance.

On the third day, Sebille rises before dawn, settles outside in the cool air, and by the light of the new day, she is herself again.

Or, as much of herself as she can be. ]


free cities.
[ The climate doesn't quite agree with her. It's too warm, too red. There are so few flowers and trees, nothing that makes her feel at ease or at home. It's such a strange feeling, when she has been away from those places for so long as it is, but in traveling what little ways she has...she's grown fond of the forests once more. And now? Now they are nowhere to be seen.

But cities are familiar too, the hustle and bustle of people, the humming of work to be done. And it's as good a place as any to look to make contacts, to take on bounty work. To put her blades to use.

Don't look too eager, now. You've no more names for your arms.

While Sebille manages to duck around doing anything too necessary for the talent show, she does end up being enlisted to help with simple stitching for the costumes when they come undone, or finding clever ways to keep things tied up. It's an odd little exercise, to be sure, but her fingers are quick and the kids are smiling and thanking her, tugging at her leggings. She isn't soft towards children by any stretch of the imagination...but to watch them brings some kind of emotion in her chest, something lost. Something from another life, the knowledge that her people have so few children. And further, that all of these children do not have homes.

So it's later, when the kids are performing, when people - and Sebille - are watching, that she murmurs for the few nearby: ]

...Why are there so many of them? What's happened for so many children to be alone?

[ War, likely. It's not as though she's unfamiliar with it all. But recent? Or has something worse occurred?


Later, still, she can be found in the market stalls, looking at what's for sale. It's far more advanced than Driftwood or any towns she's been to, to be certain. She flits about, slipping between the crowds like an agile feline, only allowing herself to be drawn in by merchants who seem to know their work.

...And those who seem to be trying to make a quick bit of coin on lies.

Her hands are skimming over a merchant selling trinkets made out of finely crafted wood or even some in bone. Sebille spies a set of dice and looks them over, fingers skimming the tops. She picks them up, rolls them over and over in her hands while the merchant jabbers about how nice they are. There's a curious, hidden weight to them. Sebille's smile for the man is sickly sweet, her eyes carrion-sharp. With a strange, quick grace, she snags a passerby's sleeve to get them to stop. ]

Fancy a quick game of dice? [ She winks, all charm, but the set of her shoulders looks tense. ] I'd like to see if they're worth the price.

[ The merchant seems flustered; surely a set of unique dice made of bone would be beautiful for a collection? No need to try them out.

No need to realize they're rigged. ]

What do you say?



nochwich.
[ A place of eternal darkness might not seem the best place for an elven woman, whose people bonded to their Mother Tree and who, in turn, reached for the sun. But this is familiar to another part of Sebille, one she cannot turn from, and so she does not; she takes her time to explore all that she can with sharp but bright-eyed sort of wonder, an expression she takes care to keep muted when she thinks someone is taking notice.

And, what luck! No one tries to take her daggers. They're all she really needs in the absence of her needle, after all.

Sebille stalks the gloom like a shadow, neither seeking trouble nor shying from it, even if her objective is just to observe. To get her bearings. Even before she'd been under the thumb of the Master, her freedom was limited; here, with neither chains to hold her back nor companions to guide her steps, she is free to wander, and to take responsibility for her every choice.

She can be found in the gambling den for the whole of the first night there, having observed long enough to catch some tells - though she'd never speak it. To the well-trained eye, her fingers move from time to time as if she might be curling dice again and again in her hands, but closer observation shows nothing at all. She'd be a fool to waste coin on getting some, though she misses the easy and quick games she'd play on the ship.

When a shadow falls nearby and Sebille knows someone has stepped close, she doesn't take her eyes from the table currently in play, which is far from her seat. She smiles, a lazy thing, cat-like. ]

They're not rolling too well tonight. [ Not that it matters; the house will win in the end, no? ] But I think that one [ a nod to a lanky man in dark grey, ruddy hair slicked back ] will keep going until he's all out of coin.

[ He plays, wins, goes again; plays, wins, goes again; plays, loses, goes again. There's a cat and mouse game going on, with the dealer giving him just enough rope to hang himself with in the end.

Whispered, almost conspiratorially: ] I think he has three more hands at most before he folds.


[ But on the second day, Sebille can be found in the hunting woods for a time, eager to set her own blades to use. She doubts she'll be very successful on this hunt; indeed, it's more about the experience than the reward. But this is the closest she can get to the freedom she once felt in her own forest, far from the prying eyes of others. To feel the grass beneath her feet, to feel the flood of adrenaline in a rush. To know herself again where the Mother Tree cannot touch her, cannot feel her, cannot extend her tendrils into Sebille's heart.

Throughout the 'day' (still eternally dark, after all), she takes her time in the woods. She stalks lesser prey, learns their habits, and stops just before attempting a kill. She picks ferns and flora, mushrooms, anything that seems of use - and always with gloves on, that she might take it to a stall to sell, barter, or learn from later.

But in the cool of the evening, before she winds her way back to the city, she lounges in one of the trees and watches one of the dreunania with an almost abject melancholy. In the dark, her golden eyes find the shapes of others walking nearby, and she slides further out onto the branch. In a hushed whisper, she calls out: ]

Don't disturb that one.

[ Dreunania aren't aggressive, no. She isn't intent on protecting anyone should they disturb the creature. There's simply a quiet possessiveness to her tone, though whether she is trying to protect it or poach items from it is anyone's guess. ]


[ ooc: Open to other prompts, can do prose, whatever. Please PM if you have questions; I also have her info on the journal but beware of plot spoilers if it matters.

Just a quick note - Divinity is hard to get character caps/faces from, so I'm using a PB and getting icons from the comic. A better visual would be here for reference, and for the scar on her cheek. ]

free cities; market stalls

[ancunin]

[ Astarion recoils at the hand against his sleeve, a flash of annoyance across his features - he doesn't particularly enjoy being touched by strangers. However - his gaze flicks to her pointed ears, and his eyes narrow this time with something like curiosity. The evidence of his own elven heritage is equally apparent beneath his white curls, and the woman's likely noticed that the city is biased toward humans.

Or, maybe that's normal where she's from. He shouldn't assume. But another elven-like Summoned in the Free Cities is enough to hold his attention for the moment. He could let this all play out - and instead he takes an alternate tactic: ]

Oh no, darling - with your luck you shouldn't even gamble in jest. [ He feigns familiarity, his tone playfully theatrical even though his gaze on her is sharp. ] Come along now, I saw some Evereskan leatherwork that you'll absolutely adore ...

[ He'll give her sleeve a tug as he whispers: ]

Let the poor man ply his crooked trade in peace. You've only been here - what, a day? A week?

Evie Frye | Assassin's Creed: Syndicate | Free Cities | Hierophant

[meetmyblade]

Cadens

Barracks - Exploring

Evie doesn't have any desire to enlist with the military, nor does she particularly want to draw their attention to her not insignificant fighting ability, but there's something quite satisfying about getting one's frustrations out by hitting something and she certainly has some stuff to work through, which is why she makes her way to the training grounds once she's got wind of its location. The issued uniform she's wearing feels stiff and itchy, and she's hoping a good work out might just loosen it off a little so she can become accustomed to it before the real work begins.

It also puts her in the position where - she hopes - she might be able to overhear something useful that might be able to help her in her current circumstances.

She looks, to all intents and purposes, like your average physically fit young woman in her early twenties, but for those in the know, they may be able to recognise a degree of skilled proficiency in those practice weapons she's using, and an equally impressive use of her fists when it comes to unarmed combat. She stops when she notices anyone giving her a second glance, and smiles encouragingly.

"Do you fancy going for a round?"


Later, Evie ventures towards The Sarstina. She's used to spending time lurking around pubs to pick up snippets of information and to get a read on people's attitudes and opinions. The military presence nearby piques her interest somewhat; it could be the same as having the bobbies on the local beat having a watchful eye to stave off any trouble at kick out time, but she's no fool. She's seen the number of soldiers on the street, and something has to have brought them out of the woodwork.

Perhaps, as she nestles into a quiet corner nursing a pint, she might be able to find someone willing to have a little chat about it.

Later on in the day, she gets down to the important business at hand. At the end of the day, Evie Frye is an Assassin and the way that Assassins get on top of the topography is to climb. So she does; she sees the topmost spire of Portam Hall and she is going to put investigating that on her to do list eventually, but without any intelligence on the area it would be a very foolish thing to go and do right off the bat.

It's not like she's Jacob.

As the evening begins to fall, Evie can be found moving amongst the shadows on the rooftops, scouting for guard rotations and getting up as high as she can to look around the area. She is certainly not expecting to find others up there with her.

[OOC: Happy to come up with any other starters if none of these appeal! Hit me up on LuceButNotLiterally or message me here if you want to do something different.]

The Sarstina

[itookashot]

Jesper lives at the Sarstina and as part of the welcoming committee, he keeps an eye out for people who might be new. He knows that often they're instructed to come here as it is the Summoned Inn. He comes in with several stacks of clothes in his arms and sets them next to the bar, sweating because that much fabric can be healthy and he figures he'll get a drink before stumbling them upstairs.

He goes behind the bar because he works here part of the time to get himself said drink and spots a young woman in a corner that he's never seen before. They do occasionally get outside visitors, some who like to be there to meet the Summoned personally or spy them, but they're not usually hiding out.

He takes his own pint and a second one over, setting it down on her table. "Here, if you finish the other one." Jesper smiles at her. Tall and skinny as a stick, his gray eyes are curious as he gives her a once over. He doesn't join her yet. "Are you new?"

inej ghafa | grishaverse | free cities

[sticking]

talent show.

[ The task of finding lost props is a thankless one, but Inej is grateful for the chance to stretch her legs. She spends half a day as a gofer, learning the layout of the area both on the ground and through a bird’s eye view, fetching this and that and the other thing. The errandry doesn’t pay anything, but that’s… fine.

Or so she tells herself, over and over. Five years ago, she wouldn’t have even thought that way.

Anyway, how did you get your hands on that splendid lion mane headdress? Because Inej is suddenly there, saying - ]

Can you tell me where you got that? The orphanage needs one.

[ She feels a bit stupid, but mostly tired and hungry. Here’s hoping the matron won’t have yet another list for her. ]

traveling merchants.

[ The merchant tables had been a point of interest. Inej hadn’t bothered to sidle along, instead letting her uniform part the crowd as she peered at table after table with mild interest. The elixirs had looked nice but smelled worrying, but one seller in particular had been quite desperate for her to take an herbal tea sample while the crowd was lingering. It had taken the seller having the first sip to convince Inej to oblige, the cobwebs of Barrel mistrust slow to shake off.

The punchline is her hair is now bright green from root to tip.

Other than buying a hat she can’t reasonably afford, Inej can’t do much about the indignity. Hair coiled into a tight plait, she continues to wander, eyeing the fresh fruits and pastries. ]

wildcard.

[ Open to Free Cities or Nocwich scenarios! 😊 ]

Traveling Merchants - Yay!

[itookashot]

[ Where there are merchants, usually there is Jesper, somewhat because he used to be one before he got his own shop, hustling crowds and selling cheap but pretty extras. He makes it a point to check them out anyway, in case anything pops out that he and Hilda can use for their clothing.

He is wandering the place, rolling his eyes at the snake oil salesmen for what they were, but he catches sight of a head. A head that he would know anyway, no matter how graceful and silent she is. He would know her anywhere by the way she walks, her movement. His heart threatens to leap out of his chest. He's hurrying through the crowd, weaving before he loses sight of her, and he knows better than to surprise her. Who knows if she's gotten knives yet, although she has an entire collection back at the inn she'll have soon enough.

He swoops around instead so he's facing her and she can spot him before they meet and he waits for her, standing tall and distinct in the middle of the merchant road. Dressed as usual in his bright greens and with familiar but not identical revolvers in showy holsters. His smile is bright and his eyes are wet. ]

I'm going to sweep you off your feet in a moment, just to warn you.

cloud strife | final fantasy vii | solvunn | the hanged man

[spikyheaded]

solvunn—

GOAT RACES

[With how often the goat races happened in Solvunn, it wasn't something Cloud could avoid, passing by the area when a race was taking place. It reminded him of the noise and chatter of the chocobo square back at the Gold Saucer, albeit less organized and with far more shouting than he would've liked.

For a while, he watches from a distance away, arms crossed over his chest before a raucous noise erupts as the crowd as a goat breaks past the race track. People begin to part for the creature as it runs past, bleating all the while, eventually running past Cloud towards the edge of the settlement.

Before long, he's approached by a man who asks to help out in exchange for a hot meal later that day. Cloud gives him a quizzical look but, considering his circumstances and how this place seemed to work, he relents, not even bothering to mask a sigh, and accepts the man's terms.

You either find him searching the settlement for said goat or attempting to corner it down some alley or similar, formulating a plan to catch and bring it back. Regardless the goat stands dazed, looking out in the distance, hooves clopping against the ground, making gestures as if to taunt its soon-to-be captor.]

Can't be worse than catching chickens, right?

[Sounds like there's a story there.]

SHRINE OFFERINGS

[Religion was never something Cloud was particularly interested in, even while living in the sleepy, mountain town of Nibelheim. There was even less time to think about something like that once he had gotten to work for Shinra, solely focused on making it through the ranks and eventually into SOLDIER. In Solvunn, however, most people seemed to value their gods and deities with a reverence that he couldn't understand. And so he brushed off engaging in its ideas and practices upon his arrival.

But, as luck would have it, that peace wouldn't last long. After his fourth day in the settlement, he was asked if he had partaken in the tradition. Cloud could only dodge their questions for so long before he found himself putting together some kind of offering to appease the people around him.

And a god of some sort, he supposes.]

What else am I supposed to bring anyway?

[In front of him sits two tomatoes and some game from a rabbit he had caught earlier that day. His brows knit together as he looks around, hoping he might find someone doing the same thing he could use as an example, rather than asking outright.

Otherwise, he may approach someone, offerings ready and tucked under his arm. He looks a little annoyed about the etiquette expected from him and just wants this entire thing done and over with.]

Any idea where you're supposed to take all these?

nocwich—

OLEUNI SQUARE

[As if this place didn't have enough surprises to offer, Cloud learns of another in the form of Nocwich, the land of eternal night. Knowing little about the region and hearing of the limited time he has to visit and learn about it, Cloud makes it a point to drop by early in the month. Just a little exploration as a treat.

Taking in what Nocwich has to offer, he pauses for a moment in front of the outdoor stage. It may have only been a few days since he experienced a stage play back at the Gold Saucer, but that night still played vividly in his mind regardless.

With a shake of his head and without another word, he turns with the plan to survey the rest of his surroundings.

Or, later on, a seller attempts to peddle their wares to the ex-SOLDIER, despite his indifference. He hadn't a single gil to his name or whatever passes as money here, after all.

Not that it seems to bother the seller in the least, clearly thinking that Cloud could find use for a blanket woven from werewolf fur or an elixir of something he hadn't even bothered catching.

Finally, he turns to the seller with a huff.]

Look, the best I can do is offer work or bodyguard services in exchange.

[It's been a while since he's had to worry about money. Or, rather, the lack of it. Not that he had his heart sent out on whatever was being peddled to him anyway. But if it gets them off his back, he'll deal with it.]

wildcard—

[If none of these work for you, feel free to create your own or shoot me a pm so we can work something else out.]

[arcaneward]

[ Ah, the goat races. She remembers her first one, cheering for number five, being swept up in the enthusiasm of the people around her. She's on the edge of the crowd again, doing her best to blend in when she sees it — a familiar spike, and Aerith stops cold, eyes going wide. Tifa had come, and now... ]

Cloud...?

[ She says it to herself, and the woman standing next to her looks up to the sky as if to check the weather, and Aerith shakes her head, apologizing and darting into the crowd when she sees Cloud setting off, clearly with some kind of mission in mind. She follows him and it's clear fairly soon what he's doing. And that he's probably going to need help. She smiles to herself as he mentions the chickens and runs up behind him, patting him on the shoulder as she speaks, coming to a stop just a few steps in front of him. ]

You'd be surprised, I think!

Hermes | Stray Gods | The Sun & Thorne

[doublethumbsup]

THORNE
DOLLS:
"Oh, hey. These are actually kinda cute."

Look, when you show up in what's clearly trending toward fall, in a spooky old castle, and you hear you're making some kind of doll? They've seen enough movies to know where this goes! Maybe. In theory.

But Hermes has seated themselves on the floor with a pile of supplies, and is diligently trying to copy the examples available. Complete with the incantation. Which is giving them a lot of pause. So, if there's another Summoned nearby, they will absolutely look over and whisper, like this is a classroom:

"Can you read this...?"


NORWICH
GENERAL:
Hermes can pretty much be encountered just about anywhere, here. Their eyes are wide, and they're exploring everywhere. Granted, they have no money - that's nothing new to them. But this place is so cool. They're mostly attracted to the market stalls, drifting around the various booths.

And inevitably appearing next to another Summoned, brightly commenting: "Hey! This is awesome, right? What are you getting?"

They mean well. They're an extrovert. We're sorry.


EXIT:
"Oh, nah, it's okay. I got it."

Is what they say, when confronted with an offer to portal them back. They even shoot the individual a set of fingerguns. Because of course they do. That's all they say, before stepping over to some poor soul's door, and reaching out. Their hand touches wood, and the doorway lights up with a warm, golden glow. Hermes waves, cheerfully.

And then walks right into the glowing door. Only to collide face-first with the very solid wood behind the glow.

... Congratulations, Hermes, you have discovered power nerfing.

nocwich general

[spikyheaded]

Unfortunately for Hermes, they just so happened to approach the broodiest of introverts on Nocwich.

While Cloud had merely been browsing the seller's wares, he hadn't a single coin to his name to actually purchase anything available even if he wanted to. This trip was mostly for surveillance so that he could better understand the place, after all.

When Hermes looks over, Cloud lets out an annoyed grunt, not bothering to meet their gaze. "Nothing," he replies in a deadpan tone before turning on his heel to walk away.

alhaitham - genshin impact - the hermit - free cities

[notionalism]

THE MARKETS

[ The sun is bright as he exits the barracks, and the dry heat feels like he’s just placed his hands into the oven Lambad keeps outside his tavern for travelers, dry and itchy against his skin. It’s familiar and alien all at once, and Alhaitham raises his hand to shield his eyes from the light, the sand under his boots crunching as he makes his way into town proper, leaving the suffocating press of the building behind him.

The market isn’t much better in terms of crowd, but this, at least, is more familiarity: the buzz of voices haggling prices, the laughter of children, the distant shout of someone yelling. Even the soldiers patrolling are a familiar sight, though they look nothing like the Corps or the Mahamatra. He avoids their gaze as best as he can. He’s not here to cause trouble, but nothing about this has settled right with him since his arrival; he’s never really felt like his vision has been necessary for him to survive, but that he’s here without it is significant.

And he wants to find out why.

He pauses, after a moment at a stand selling fruit, reaching for the unfamiliar shapes, turning them over in his hand before setting them back down. He has no money, and if the slight frown on his face is any indication, he’s not happy about it. He’s been in the habit of buying fruit, even though he doesn’t eat it, and the sights and smells of the market bring that habit back to the front. Reluctant, he turns to go, nodding to the seller, brushing past someone as he leaves, seemingly unaware he’s even done so. ]

PUMPKIN CARVING
[ He isn’t here by choice. Someone, who shall remain nameless, has dragged him to check out the demonstration for Eifstide, citing Alhaitham’s need to get out of the house. He doesn’t need to get out of the house. He needs to find out how they got here and how they can get back home.

And yet, here he is, holding a pumpkin, his expression so flat it makes paper look like Deshret’s Glass Goblet. ]

I don’t see why my participation is necessary.

NOCWICH

[ That same nameless person has also convinced Alhaitham to head to Nocwich for an evening, to get out and stretch the legs a bit, see the culture. This, at least, was easier — Alhaitham is more inclined to want to see a place so vastly different than the Free Cities, so similar to Sumeru.

And fascinated he is, standing outside one of the buildings, hand on his chin as he gazes up and up at the inn. Sumeru itself is built in the boughs of a tree, and as a result, all but one building is a single story: there just isn’t room for more if it’s not the Akademiya. So this place of perpetual night, where creatures that only live in the folklore of places like Mondstadt and Snezhnaya reside, with it’s tall buildings and Mondstadtian architecture is alluring.

It’s clear to him from the start this is why Kaveh dragged him here to begin with.

He reaches out and touches the stone wall, drawing his hand back and rubbing the tips of his fingers together, analyzing the texture like it’s one of the ruins he’d spent his years during his time in the Akademiya.

What tales do this city of vampires and dusk hold? ]

[archiholic]

( Managing what scant finances Kaveh has in this world is just as difficult as managing them back in his world — there are people in need more than him, merchants who might need some spare change, and if Kaveh is here to help this world then he can’t just sit idly by waiting for big problems to arise and leave the smaller ones unaddressed. But he does have some spare coins this time, and the vendors in the market have come to at least appreciate his kind personality, along with his coin.

What he doesn’t expect is to nearly miss being run into by a man slightly taller than he, with grey hair and— )

Alhaitham? ( Kaveh will stand in the middle of the market, a basket of fresh fruit in one arm and his wings rustling with shock before he runs after the other man. Because he’d know Alhaitham anywhere. ) Hey, Alhaitham, stop—

aerith gainsborough | final fantasy 7: rebirth | solvunn | the sun

[arcaneward]

SHRINE OFFERINGS;

[ Its easy enough for her to choose what’s going in her offering: flowers near the end of their days, both gathered by her own hand on her way to the shrine of Vagn and gathered beforehand, woven together into a wreath or crown. But as she moves to take her first steps onto the path towards the shrine she hesitates, gaze pointed towards the forest, but not really seeing it. Her mind is far away, in a place she knows she’ll never see again, and the reality of that is bare before her.

She takes a deep breath and turns to her partner. ] Ready?

EVENING FEAST;

[ She looks at home in the grove, unpacking a larger basket filled to the brim with bread from the bakery, laying the loaves and rolls out on the checkered pattern cloth she’s also brought from her small room above it. She has flowers tucked in her hair, and when she’s done laying her hard work out on the table, she’s off to the wildflowers again, picking a large bouquet of them, flitting from person to person and handing them out. The leftovers are arranged on the table, in either any empty vase-like object she can find, or laid flat near the plates and cups.

She’s trying to decide which flower to place next when she turns to the person next to her, holding up the wildflowers. ] What do you think? The red or the yellow?

[floeing]

[The smell of freshly baked bread immediately gets Jack attention: where there's bread, there usually are pastries and rolls. Bread itself isn't so bad either because it isn't so salty. He's taking a close look at the rolls to try to figure their flavors, when suddenly a lady turns to ask him about... colors?

He's startled for a second, and looking at the flowers he can't help thinking: if only Bunny could see me now.]

-ah. [HE HAS NO IDEA] Isn't the vase big enough for both?

[Nailed it.]

Nagato | Naruto | The Lovers | Solvunn

[godofrain]

Arrival

Death was a strange thing. Nagato had expected something worse than water: in fact, it was almost soothing, easing the pain of his burning veins. Chakra exhaustion was a bad way to go, especially for a shinobi of his caliber, so he didn’t mind the water and the dark.

He did mind the hand that so rudely yanked him out of his watery rest though.

The redhead landed on the grass in a heap, unable to stand on his legs but ready to start fighting for his life nonetheless. He couldn’t do much, because to his horror, neither his Path or his elemental techniques answered when he tried to shove his assaillants away: he might be rail thin and weaponless but he was a ninja, so trying to claw eyes out and kneeing people were it really hurt was a perfectly respectable way to fight, at least as far he was concerned.

It took a bit of struggling for the strangers (Konoha Shinobis? Has he been found? Where was Konan?) to back off of him for a minute and to allow him to look around. There were more people, watching from the sidelines. Well, without his powers and unable to stand on his own, the situation wasn’t looking good but Nagato wouldn’t make it easy for… whoever had managed to kidnap him. Instead, he locked eyes with one of the bystanders and raised his chin in challenge.

Come and get him then.

Offerings

Nagato considered the little bundle of flowers, fruits and freshly cleaned rabbit bones in his hands with a frown. He had a rather… tumultuous relationship with gods and the concept of divinity, having been worshiped as one himself, and in this world where apparently divinities were a tangible thing that could actually influence the reality around them, the ninja thought prudent to establish he wasn’t about to try and regain his false ‘godhood’, lest he gained some powerful enemies.
The methods of worship did seem a bit… primitive, but at least it wasn’t human sacrifice so Nagato wasn’t about to complain, even if hunting that rabbit, sitting immobile for hours in that bush waiting for the wildlife to forget about him had been rather troublesome.
The last hurdle was actually getting to the shrine though, and for someone as slow as he was, capable only of slowly limping around on a makeshift cane, that walk might prove more than he could handle. That’s why Nagato was sitting on the stump at the edge of the forest, next to the path leading deeper into the trees and hailed the first person approaching with a raised hand.
“My apologies, if I might bother you for a moment? I’m trying to go and pay my respect to the gods but as you can see,” The redhead indicated his legs with a wave of his hand. “I cannot move that fast on my own. If you don’t mind going slow, could you accompany me the rest of the way?”

Wildcard

Nagato can be found all over the primary Settlement, often sitting down and watching the world go by with his strange eyes or slowly limping around and watching the sights. Come bother him if you want but be careful to not startle him: He has nasty reflexes but thankfully no knives yet!

Jack Frost ❄️ Rise of the Guardians ❄️ The Fool

[floeing]

((ooc: if your character is sensitive to that stuff, they're free to tell Jack is a spirit and very magical. For those observant/with enhanced senses: he has no pulse or heartbeat, and while his chest moves, he isn't actually breathing. It's always chilly around him. Also, Jack has fun magic, meaning he can bewitch your character into relaxing and having fun. I will NOT use this without player permission, but if you already know you want it to happen, feel free to ask! It'll have to happen at the end of the week when his powers are fully back. Characters are free to recognize Jack's name from the myth and make nose nipping jokes, just no 4th walling the actual movie please.))

1. Solvunn - Arrival

[It's not the first time he wakes up inside a body of water, and it won't be the last. He usually doesn't dream, and as far as he knows he can't die, but it still feels that way... because the water around him isn't freezing, and that can't be a good sign. Suddenly he's pulled out and there's so much happening so quickly, "overwhelmed" doesn't start to describe it.

But one thing is clear: they can see him. Every single person can see him. And they're happy to have him.

He says no to the clothes, but they still put a cloak around him as they guide him to the cart, worry about his body temperature. Jack is still in shock and feeling a bit wary about how much he's being touched, but he manages to process the information at least: there's a war, and the Gods wanted him here. So he's been summoned to protect - like the first time he came out of a lake.

Guarding kids in a world where everyone can see him? He doesn't mind one bit.

After explanations are done, the locals worry about his temperature again. Why isn't the cloak working? Slowly forcing himself to relax, Jack laughs and tells them who he is. He tries summoning a snowflake and fails, but it isn't necessary: they're even more delighted to have him than before. They see him as a sign since winter is around the corner. Jack isn't about to complain! The locals make sure to feed him well and while Jack tries to find the sweet things among all the savory, he asks about the settlement kids, who are already gathering to hear his stories. Apparently babysitting is always needed around here, a task Jack is happy to help with.

Moving around without his powers is hard, to say the least. Sometimes a little bit of frost appears under his feet, but it instantly disappears. It means he can hold the kids' hands without worrying about freezing them, but it's still dizzying - all this socializing and touching makes for one heck of staggering combo that leaves him feeling a bit unstable. It's going to be a very long week, but at least he can start by solving one simple problem: he needs a new staff. He's sure the farmers will give him a crook if he works enough, but he doesn't want to wait - his body is too freaking used to the support, he needs to re-balance it.

So he makes it a game for the kids! They sit near bushes and woods, and he sends them out to find the best stick ever. Whenever a kid brings him one, Jack makes a big show out of inspecting it closely, inventing some magic words to make them believe this is serious business (it isn't, he literally just needs a stick.) The larger ones he keeps, the other ones he throws over his shoulder...

And accidentally hit your character. Jack turns around with his best attempt at an innocent grin.]

Oops? My bad. [It doesn't sound like he means it: since the kids are laughing, he thinks that's more important.]

2. Solvunn - The feast

[Having gathered his own army of children that are happy to join any game Jack comes up with equals a huge pile of fruit. Mostly apples. Gathering is much easier when you make it a competition. The first few days, Jack stays on a roof, watching from afar. But as days pass he gets more used to all the people, the talking, and the touching (oh gosh, so much touching). He still tries to sit outside the big crowds, but that doesn't stop them from feeding him.

Shrimp. Pickles. Cod. He stares at his plate with a wrinkled nose until he notices someone nearby that looks as out of place as he does.]

Do you have any pudding? I'll trade you.

[If this is happening at the end of the week, there's frost on the spot Jack is sitting on and a shepherd's crook across his lap.]

3. Nocwich - The Square

A. [Jack doesn't visit Nocwich until the last day, when he's finally got a shepherd's crook and his powers are fully back. For an hour or so, he stands on a roof, looking at the sky with a frown that would make Bunny proud. Eternal night - it feels so wrong. It reminds him of Pitch, and he hates it. If your character finds him there, they'll overhear him say-] Nights aren't the same without you, Sandy.

B. [Afterward, Jack will explore by pulling off a mix of flying and parkour, leaving drops of frost whenever he goes. Sometimes he pauses to take a look at the wares, and noticing the ones made from werewolf hair makes him chuckle.]

Do you think it'll attract fleas? [Yes, random stranger, he's talking to you. And yes, he's floating upside down right next to your head, his chill clear in the air. Enjoy.]

4. Network

so what does a guy hav

[The text abruptly ends, and it's clear to see why: the handwriting sucks. Jack doesn't exactly have the habit of writing things, you know? So he concentrates, and a few minutes later the messages comes again, this time in a font similar to what he saw teenagers use on those phone thingies. The signature, of course, says "Jack Frost".]

so what does a guy have to do to fly out of borders around here?

5. Wildcard
((Any other ideas? PM me or hit me up at buttercupss))

3B

[inventure]

[ see now iris had been extra curious about the werewolf pelts for... similar — but not quite exact! — reasons, though he certainly hadn't the kind of daring jack does to actually put voice to such thoughts. that's why, when jack suddenly appears above his shoulder and says the thing you're not supposed to say out loud out loud, iris momentarily skips right over the fact the other boy is upside down and runs headlong into some level of scandalized. ]

I — don't think you're supposed to just say that...

[ quickly, he glances around him, half-expecting a couple of werewolves to have overheard and teach the pair a thing or two about animal (???) rights (????) ]

yuffie kisaragi | final fantasy 7: rebirth | solvunn | the tower

[mogger]

shine offerings;

[ so, on the way to the actual shrine, yuffie has been gathering wildflowers! she already has a bottle tucked under her arm of what appears to be wine, but she seems... incredibly bored by this. ]

Psst! Hey you.

[ she turns to the nearest person.... which happens to be you ]

So what's the scoop with all of this? You seriously buying this "god" thing?

[ she needs to get insta-zapped for this sacriledge ala phil in disney's hercules ]

hunting woods;

[ right on the edge of the woods, yuffie is lounging about. she's gotten a giant shuriken in hand, and is just being casual ]

So, hey, you want a bodyguard? Or maaaaaybe just a hunter for hire?

[ she does a little twirl with the shuriken, giving you a bright grin ]

Well, say no more! The amazing Yuffie is here for you! And I'll even give ya a discount.

[ this is safe, probably ]

obligatory goat prompt;

[ so the goats are at the races! ambling slowly.... getting distracted headbutting people. and chewing on things ]

Come on, you stupid goat, run!

[ which one is yuffie yelling at? it's a mystery. it seems like she's directing her energy yelling at... multiple of them? okay? ]

Man, I guess I should have actually bet on one of these.... [ she turns to you! ] Which one did ya bet on? Want me to hustle them?

wildcard;

[ hit me with anything! ]

shrine offerings

[suplexer]

[ Tifa doesn't have that much interest in making these offerings, but if you live in Solvunn, it's kind of difficult to avoid it indefinitely. Making tribute to the gods is so baked into the culture here that people tend to ask about it — "have you made it out to one of the shrine this week, Tifa?" And she doesn't like to lie, so...

It's not like it's difficult to pick fruit and flowers, and so once she has a respectable bundle of items to take to one of the shrines, she heads off down the worn trail toward it.

Except that on the way, she runs into someone unexpected.

At first Tifa just sees a figure in the distance. Whoever it is, they're crouched down in a field of wildflowers and flitting around from spot to spot, as if they're unable to sit still.

Then the person speeds over to her, and her eyes grow wide with recognition. First Cloud, now... ]

Yuffie?!

[ Tifa doesn't drop her bundle, but she does rearrange it in her arms as she gives their resident great ninja a once-over. ] Did you just get here?

daemon targaryen | house of the dragon | the free cities

[karaksys]

① TRAVELLING MERCHANTS

[ Although Daemon wears the uniform he was given because he has no other choice, he clearly has no intention of wearing it properly. That sort of conformity is for the rank and file — and a Targaryen isn't like other men — so he will wear it in a way he finds comfortable. It's not as if he has any desire to see himself conscripted in the future, either.

For the moment, he strolls the little marketplace that's sprung up thanks to the travelling merchants, finding the sights and sounds of eager traders hawking their wares to be one thing these Free Cities have in common with the ones he knows.

Ever attentive to a potential sale, a merchant peddling fine weaponry invites new recruits to try before you buy(!), offering a "special discount" to anyone who came back to buy something when they had money to spend, likely accustomed to the challenge of trying to sell to people who had arrived without a cent to their name.

Daemon would not be the first to crave a weapon to remedy their frustrations, and the merchant appears not to care that he unsheathes and wields his borrowed sword with an excess of aggression. The training dummies made of wood and straw are easily mended or replaced, and the flash of steel in the hands of skilled warriors amounts to plenty of free publicity. ]

Not bad. It's no Valyrian steel, but that's no surprise.

[ He doubts a blade exists in this world that could compare to Dark Sister, which has already tempered his expectations. He is about to put the sword away when he notices someone else browsing the items nearby and has a better idea. There are training swords aplenty around the barracks, but Daemon hasn't picked up one of those since he was a boy and isn't about to start now. ]

You, there. [ Daemon calls out, arm extended as he points with the blade. ] Care to test these out for real?

[ This is somewhat less okay judging by the merchant's nervous expression, but hesitates to outright object, perhaps due to the ferocity of Daemon's display so far. Besides, it's still free publicity, right? ]

② OH MY GOURD

[ The long queues pique Daemon's curiosity at some point, and he eventually makes it to the front of one of them to see a demonstration of—... well, he isn't entirely sure what's being demonstrated, honestly. It's clearly some magic, but it's nothing he possesses any reference for, as no such technology exists in his world. Perhaps his distant ancestors in Old Valyria had known of such things, but it had died with them in the Doom. What magic House Targaryen still possesses is in their blood — and their dragons, of course.

His visible confusion seems to be mistaken for curiosity as the helpful assistant leading the demonstration hands the strange tool off to someone else while another hefts a rather sizeable pumpkin into his arms before Daemon can refuse it. ]

Absolutely not. [ And then, to whoever presently wields the carving tool: ] If you point that at me, I will kill you.

[ He's still holding the pumpkin though. It would probably be easier to drop the thing and leave, but Daemon's own pride is the obstacle that prevents him from doing that. With so many eyes looking in his direction, he refuses to be seen as a coward. ]

③ WILDCARD

[ ooc; i'm open to whatever else around cadens or nocwich! you can pm me or reach out @ koutenko if you'd like to discuss anything more specific! ]

①.

[gynvael]

[ Mere happenstance brings Geralt to the area. It's not anything; he simply has few reasons to speak to the soldiers here and avoids taking contracts from the army, disinterested in aligning himself with their cause. The merchant who hired him, however, insisted on meeting here. Perhaps the prospect of being alone with the Witcher made him nervous.

That's who the man will find nearby: Geralt leaning against a wooden pillar, dressed lightly with his sleeves rolled up and his own scabbard held loosely in his grasp, resting by his side in a manner that suggests he's carrying it without anticipation of needing to use it.

Call it curiosity. He may not be the only white-haired figure on this continent, but it remains an intriguing novelty each time he comes across another. And swordsmen are not, actually, as common as one might think amongst those summoned here. ]

I have. [ Comes the mild response. ] If you want a sword suited to you, Leandra is the finer blacksmith. In the city.

[ Can only obtain so much quality from a travelling cart. Geralt does not appear too concerned with the frown that's beginning to overtake the merchant—whose potential sale is being disrupted. ]

tighnari ( genshin ) solvunn

[sepalum]

SOLVUNN.
a.
[ evidently you weren't watching where you were walking past this low-lying group of bushes, because as you pass, a yelp comes from behind them, and a little figure with big fennec fox ears shoots up, spinning to clutch..

his tail, which was evidently sticking out of the bushes where he was crouched observing a group of flowers there. ... in your defense, his ears and tail are dark green, so maybe it blended with the foliage.

his ears flatten back as he pats the leaves out of his tail. ] .. I guess that was my fault, really.

b.
[ the feast and all the goings-on around it is interesting, of course, but it's really the grove itself that holds most of tighnari's interest. he keeps getting distracted by new plants, and that's especially true when he's helping someone hang a garland. he's supposed to be handing them the next loop, but instead, he's focused on a particular flower used in it, gently nudging the petals apart with a finger, expression focused.

his ear swivels to his partner a moment later, though, and he glances up apologetically. ] I'm so sorry, it's just-- [ he hands them the next length he was keeping captive. ] --so many new things to observe.

c.
Not that one! [ he doesn't even think about it as he slaps the mushroom right out of a stranger's hand, his own thankfully still gloved as he crouches to pick it up himself. ] A good rule of thumb is to avoid red caps on mushrooms, but generally, don't eat any mushroom that you aren't absolutely certain about.

[ his tail swishes, agitated, an ear flick flick flicking. ] I'm sure there are some differences in this world, but this? [ he lightly shakes the bright red mushroom. ] This is pretty obviously dangerous.


NOCWICH.
[ in nocwich, tighnari can be found perusing the stalls for a good notebook and pen or quill, or perhaps checking out the spa offerings.

at the hot springs, he seems a little wary, and if anyone asks, he'll let them know he's not good with the heat. .. after taking a dip, he looks a little woozy, too, so he definitely wasn't exaggerating. ]


WILDCARD.
[ idk prompt me or pm for personalized prompt, i'm easy. ]

nocwich, slides in here.

[archiholic]

( Kaveh enjoys shopping, and while now he might not have a lot of money, he isn't burdened with the fact he has a debt to pay off, so he thinks he's allowed to indulge. First things first: paints, sketchbooks, a good quill or two, and-- ha, that stranger looks quite like Tighnari...

Wait. )

Hold on, sorry, I'll be right back-- ( He explains to the vendor before taking off towards his friend. ) Tighnari? Tighnari!