TEST DRIVE MEME #5

[abraxasmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME

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

Our Setting pages are full of information on the world of Abraxas, and an overview of the story so far can be found on our Game History page! Anything on that page - including information about the Horizon and the Singularity - can be assumed to be told to newcomers after they arrive, no matter which faction they are received in. For more information on Ambrose and the apprentice mages, Marlo, and Rowan, please see our NPCs page.

You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads— 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Arrival

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

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

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

Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne

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. Once you catch your breath, you can get a better look at the surroundings: tall trees and even taller stone pillars surround the platform you're laying on. Behind you is an ornate fountain, the base of which is so deep and so dark you might be compelled to scramble away from it lest it suck you back in to that endless abyss. Ahead of you are the walls of a large castle with several tall towers reaching up towards the sky.

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.

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 a mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. He peers up at you for a moment and starts flipping through the book.

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

Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the pages, until he stops on one specific passage, stares at it for a moment, and then sighs with relief:

"Finally!"

Ambrose's expression brightens, relief visible across his features. He waves one of the apprentices over with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals and with a wave of his hand they reshape to fit you perfectly.

"Oh, thank heavens," he says, closing the book and approaching you with a sort of worn-out relief. “I was beginning to believe we’d never get it exactly right.”

Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem to visibly relax, and the one that handed you the tunic stops to take the tarot card down from the marble slab. If you show any curiosity about the card, they'll let you take a longer look, but won't let you touch it.

"Please, come with me," he says, motioning for you to follow him towards the castle. "As promised, my pupils will explain your current situation. And, ah - if you had any magic of your own, or other special abilities you can't access right now, fear not, they'll return within the week. The summoning takes a lot out of you."

One of the apprentices steps forward and rattles on and on about the castle, Thorne itself, the names of a bunch of royals and nobles, and of course, your reason for being here. The Kingdom and the world itself is in great peril, and tales of your exploits have reached far and wide across universes. If asked about these exploits, the apprentice will simply smile and shrug. The High Mage was happy to see you and that's good enough.

Once inside the castle you're taken 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), or you can wander around and meet the others.

There's also a dining hall stocked with a rotating 24/7 buffet in celebration of the new honored guests. Somehow, your very favorite food is part of the rotation (or at least an attempted recreation of it given the limited technology available to the Thorneans). The town surrounding the castle is all abuzz as well, with most shops and services willing to give free samples of their wares to the new arrivals.

You may also notice that your sign is embroidered on your tunic: the same image you saw on the card from before with the name of the sign itself beneath it. If you ask the castle residents, they'll tell you a little bit about your sign (and will mostly stick to the positives, although some might point out the negatives).

Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and most of the cells stand empty.

Scenario Two: Welcome to Cadens

You find yourself pulled from the water by a pair of strong hands. Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a warm hard floor. As your senses return you realize you're on dull ruddy stone and surrounded by strangers. 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 on the far side is a raised pedestal with a card propped on it. The card bears an arcana symbol.

You feel weak. Drained. Any abilities or magical powers you have seem far away and impossible to access. You're in what looks like a cave lit by dozens and dozens of torches set into the wall. There's no furniture or decoration to be seen besides the pool. It's almost uncomfortably warm and there's the sound of rushing wind somewhere in the distance. Flickering shadows obscure the faces of the guards. A robed woman stands off to the side, looking at you anxiously and then to the authoritative woman standing before you. She's grinning, dressed in a fancier uniform than the others. There's a sword at her hip. A guard covers you with a blanket and returns to their place in the semi-circle.

The woman with the sword gives a nod of approval and smiles warmly.

"Sorry about the circumstances."

She gives you a good hard look before standing again.

"Take a minute, catch your breath, you've had quite a shock. Take it nice and easy. 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 nod to the robed woman off to the side.

Marlo Reiner steps back and the robed mage approaches to help you up.

"Come with me, please." 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. Shelves of wooden boxes and cloth bags line them, unidentifiable parts of what might be machines are tucked into corners and propped against shelving units. "This is one of the Free Cities' outposts," the mage explains as she leads you. "We're honored to have you with us, I'm sure you have many questions but please save them. You need to recover!"

You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military outpost on the outskirts of Cadens city. You're brought to a room in the barracks that's been prepared. Each barracks room is rather sparse and utilitarian. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You're told the world is in a delicate and dangerous times and you're needed to help. You're important, you're told, and they're very grateful you're here.

You're asked to stay close for the time being, but to make yourself at home. The outpost is more a proper military base than the name implies, with full facilities. The barracks 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. There's a mess hall that has food available from sun up till a few hours after sundown. You're even encouraged to make use of the training grounds, if you'd like, with non-lethal training weapons available for use and obstacle courses set up. And the city of Cadens is only a couple of hours away by wagon - though you're asked initially to please be back at the outpost within a few hours of the sun going down.

For your own safety.

Scenario Three: Welcome to Solvunn

The feeling of floating is the first sense that comes to you as the edges of unconsciousness start to ebb. Sunlight filters through the rippling water as you open your eyes, making you squint. Before you have the chance to panic and inhale, firm hands grasp your arms and pull you to the surface of the water. Moments later, soft warmth is wrapped around your shoulders as you're guided on unsteady legs out of a pool of water. You're lowered to the soft grass. Men and women in simple garments with lavish embroidery stand by, waiting with bated breath, glancing seriously at an old man in an ornate robe. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. His eyes move quickly over the page, and he mumbles idly to himself.

Any strength you may have possessed feels as though it has slipped through your fingers. Any abilities or magical powers you have don't come to the surface no matter how hard you try. You're in a grassy clearing in the midst of a circle of large stone slabs stacked to look like doorways. In the middle is the same glimmering pool you were just pulled from. A gentle breeze blows through, carrying the scent of flowers and herbs from an ornately decorated altar set off in front of one of the stone doorways. The mage closes his book and steps out of the water, addressing a matronly old woman. Behind her are two younger people, a rough-looking man, and a meek young girl, both of whom are also watching the mage.

“I detect no ill will from the gods, it seems we've been blessed with success.” Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased.

The old woman smiles and steps forward, offering to take your hands and help you stand. “Any gift the gods give us is one we will happily take. I'm certain you have many questions, and they will all be answered in time. For now, rest and know you will be taken care of.”

She pats the top of your hand and steps away with a serene smile, letting one of the others come forward with some clothes that seem to fit you perfectly. The rough-looking man from before steps forward once you're decent 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 settlement.

You find out you are in the Primary Settlement, the first of three that make up Solvunn's great territory. The settlement is situated between two lakes and is humming with life. You're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. Rowan explains that the living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be, that local families would also be happy to host you in their home. That there are others like you who have also taken up residence within the three settlements. You're told that the world hangs upon the brink of disaster and that there are those in this world that are happy to see it fall to ruin with their meddling.

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

Everything you need has been provided in this humble apartment, and if it hasn't, there are shops that line the streets and a marketplace in the center of town. Owners of some establishments or stalls are more than happy to give out samples or barter with your time for their goods. Babysitting can be a very lucrative business. You're told of the other settlements, that they'd like you to stay here for now, but if you can find a family to host you, the secondary and tertiary settlements are best to get to with an escort.

There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective, young traveler.

You’ll find that there are more than enough activities to throw yourself into to better settle into your new life in Solvunn. Work is done in the first part of the day so that families can spend the rest of it together in leisure and work on their crafts - whatever those may be. For those children who are not of school age, they need nannies or storytellers, and there’s always a gaggle of them running about unsupervised. Families with livestock can always take a spare hand, especially since farms are so spread out, they have a tendency to wander. Whatever skills you may possess can always be of use to the community or to honor the gods.

If any of these options are no good for your lifestyle, the main roads between settlements can always use a bit of monster clean-up… just make sure you don’t go alone.

---

Questions

How many slots are open?
Currently, there are 23 slots open for new players. We will process activity check before opening applications, so we will have a better idea of the exact count then. Existing players can apply for a second character without restriction.

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

Can I try out more than one scenario?
You can! But please keep in mind that only the one you eventually choose can be game canon, if you decide to keep any of your TDM threads.

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

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

I want to wildcard a prompt or use one of the prompts from an earlier TDM that isn't on this one (eg. the library), can I do that?
Yes, in terms of the settings. As Thorne is no longer imprisoning any newcomers, that option is no longer applicable.

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

Can my character eventually change factions?
Yes. While the faction borders are currently closed, there will opportunities in the future for characters to relocate. For the time being, they are stuck where they are.

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). This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.

Don't get too anxious about this choice, though; this is just one choice you'll get to make in a game that has a lot of them, and every character in every scenario can work their way towards many, many individual goals and outcomes. You're not locking yourself out of anything in the future via the choice you made on the TDM. It will primarily impact the immediate future with the far-reaching effects being up to each player.

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

What if I haven't settled on a sign yet?
You can ignore sign-related prompts if you're undecided (or try out different signs in different threads).

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

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

---

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Comments

Shuten-Douji | Fate/Grand Order | The Devil

[sakaya]

[ OOC: Please check out Shuten's Opt-Out/CW post. Thank you! ]

Thorne | The Dining Hall

[ Arriving in a new world full of new magic, wonders, and sights to see was not the pressing matter for the Assassin Servant, Shuten-Douji. It's not even waking up without clothes and feeling light-headed and confused that concerns her (because the oni will unabashedly admit that type of occurrence is old hat). Being her own type of fantastical creature, she easily accepts the explanation given to her by the High Mage; it would have been more fun if Shuten had been able to put him and the other apprentices under her thrall, but no dice there; however, her less than subtle flirtations were enough to get some of the apprentices red in the face and bashful. It wasn't enough to get her any information that would help her in the long run and there's no sign of other Servants or her Master.

It's easy enough to come to the conclusion that until Chaldea or Fujimaru Ritsuka make themselves known, Shuten will just make her own fun! Whatever that entails... Thorne can only pray that the self-entertainment can tide her over even when her powers start to come back...

In the meantime, Shuten-Douji gravitates towards the dining hall because there was something that was not on her person when she arrived much to her disapproval. And there's only one way to solve this heinous slant against her.

Were you trying to refill your goblet with a drink? Were you reaching for a flagon of ale, or that bottle of wine to calm your nerves as you try to adjust to this new and wondrous world?

Too bad, it's been emptied by the small young lady with horns on her head. The people providing the rotating buffet are rather baffled to say the least as they try to replenish the alcoholic drinks. This girl can drink despite her stature. On her given tunic, the sign of The Devil is inscribed; not a drop of hard drink sullies her clothing as she finishes another tall glass of deep, dark, red wine. She sets it down with a refreshed sigh, though her cheeks are barely flushed. ]

Ah... Well, the flavor of that wine was a biiiiit better than the last. Though if this is a banquet of celebration, they really ought to take out the stronger stuff... Oh! How thoughtless of me.

[ And she's finally noticed that she's been hogging all the drink. Holding up a wine bottle, the oni smiles with devilish sweetness. ]

There's plenty to go all around. How 'bout I make it up to you and pour you a drink? I don't do this everyday y'know, so lucky you.

Cadens | Training Grounds

[ Shuten had to bide her time in regards to her power. The arrival had seemed to sap most of her strength and she couldn't draw upon what came naturally to her. Though it was a bitter, bitter shame, her main Noble Phantasm was not present. There's no use crying over spilled sake that wasn't there anymore. Shuten preferred to do as little work as possible, but when it came down to it, she's no stranger to self-reliance.

At the training grounds, she glances over at the non-lethal weapons that were provided, clicking her tongue in disapproval. None of these had elegance or class that would suit her taste. ]

Mmm. Hey. You there.

[ She randomly points to someone who looks like they can last a little longer than a minute in a fight. ]

Can you throw a punch? I'd like to try something out if you don't mind giving me a moment of your time.

Solvunn | Main Roads

[ Far more than the simple crafts and farm work that was absolutely not the oni's style, it was the main roads and the warnings about monsters that catches Shuten's interest the most. She was told by several a helpful citizen that the roads could always use some cleaning up.

As evening falls, Shuten makes up her mind. ]

Hm.

[ Shuten claps her hands together to catch the attention of anyone else who has been eying the dangerous paths. ]

I suppose if we bring back some monster parts, that would be a decent way to make money. After all, we may be strapped for cash until something's done about it!

WILDCARD

[ OOC: You can PM me on this account if you'd like a customized thread or an idea you'd like to pass by me first! ]

thorne

[sorser]

[The newcomers react in different ways; some panicked, others angry, the rest casual as though nothing more than the weather had changed. Stephen isn’t strictly social, but he’s incredibly curious and feels obligated to stay in the know regarding newly summoned faces. It’s an excuse to be nosy from a respectable distance, and he knows that they often end up in the banquet hall one way or another.

Pleased or otherwise about their new situations, nearly every person has the same reaction to an eventual empty belly — find something to eat.

And so the sorcerer stands, having plucked a thing or two for himself off the table already, more pretense than not. To say he’s drawn to the horned woman downing drinks like they’re water is like looking at a train wreck—a morbid curiosity—is not far from the truth.]

I’m fine.

[Nothing to drink for him, thanks. The person who had their wine swept out from under them seems to take mild offense, but not enough to stay.]

So is that what the Thorneans have pulled out of the pool today? A connoisseur?

[Obviously not. But he’s fishing.]

[sakaya]

Nothing to drink? Suit yourself.

[ Shuten is hardly discreet, a stark contrast against her class. When the bearded man with blue eyes declines, she shrugs and pours herself a drink instead (what number is it on? She's not keeping count...)

With smacked lips the Servant chuckles gaily at Stephen as she leans back in her seat and crosses her legs. ]

As for me, I'm just a girl who likes to drink, Handsome. I'm not a pretentious drinker, I just like it strong and sweet!

[sorser]

[An uptick at the corners of his mouth, though the amusement is middling at best. If there’s an appreciation to be had in watching someone indulge in the finer things in life, then Stephen’s far too entrenched in the Bigger Picture to see it.

He remains standing—sitting feels like an obligation to stretch out a conversation longer than he’d intended—lifting a brow to poke holes in that logic.]

I find it hard to believe that a person yanked out of the summoning pool is “just” anyone. We all have our stories, and it’s part of the reason why we’re here.

Unless you’re chalking yourself up to an anomaly?

[sakaya]

My, my!

[ She pauses so that she can catch some wine dripping down her fingers between her lips. Some of the servers nearby catch the innocently(?) seductive action, stumbling slightly before scuttling off past Stephen, trying not to look obvious when they catch her eye. She waves to them before continuing. ]

Careful about giving me so much attention. If you gaze at me so seriously, it'll make me want to satisfy your curiosity young man. But!

[ She stands up from her seat, hands behind her back to smile at the taller man. When the small woman speaks, her voice changes into a slightly lower tone, playful and cloying. ]

My mood's improved slightly with the freebies they've served us. If you just wanna ask who or what I am, I'm allllll yours.

[sorser]

[Oh, the temptation to roll his eyes is strong. This is a woman who obviously enjoys some form of attention, and it's eating it up with all that toss it her way; maybe he's just feeding that desire by even humoring his time with her, but you know what? He'll take one for the team.]

We can start with a name.

[Plainly.]

[sakaya]

Mm. Easy enough.

[ She straightens her posture, her gaze never leaving Stephen. ]

I am a Servant of the Assassin class, Shuten-Douji.

[ Again, little to no discretion on her end. But that's just how she is, doing whatever she feels like, no matter where she is. ]

Whether that means anything to anyone, I suppose time will tell. Though, it'd be nice if there was another Heroic Spirit around.

[ She points to him lazily. ]

Your turn. How shall I be referring to you?

[sorser]

[Servant of the Assassin class tells him very little out of context, other than the fact that assassin-ing has something to do with her life choices. But Shuten-Douji? Years ago, it wouldn’t have earned even the faintest recognition; but his time entrenched in the esoteric and mystical, which did include the mythological, wins her a strike of recognition.]

It means something to me. Explains the horns, doesn’t it?

[An oni, and a very infamous one. Deadpan-]

And the drinking. Hope we have not much more to worry about than that.

My name’s Doctor Stephen Strange. Whether that means anything to you, I can’t say.

[sakaya]

Ah, so you're well informed. I was beginning to wonder if the magi that pulled me away from where I was from had any idea of what they're handling.

[ With one glass in hand she begins to idly size him up by circling him since she doesn't feel like staying still. ]

Mm. And your name is a touch odd, but I kind of like that.

[sorser]

You don’t say.

[Like he hasn’t heard variations of the same remark before for years now. He doesn’t think this oni is as clever as she thinks she is — that, or she doesn’t care either way.]

Sometimes I do wonder if they’ve done their research. [Pointed look.] So how much of the mythology is true?

[sakaya]

I suppose it depends on which variations you've read.

[ There's another pause so she can finish her drink. Shuten smacks her lips once it's emptied. ]

For instance, I'm obviously a female and not a big and scary musclehead of a male. I've seen some illustrations y'know! It's a given that legend and myth can distort over time, but the story of "Shuten-Douji" seems to be particularly malleable.

[ What is fiction and what is fact? What makes one legend more valid than the other? Shuten-Douji was notorious enough to become a bedtime story to scare children and explain the blood and violence of ancient times. Perhaps there is a persisting mystery because of what was lost due to that violence. ]

Oh, but everything else is mostly true. Otherwise, as you humans put it so elegantly, the devil is in the details.

[sorser]

A muscle-bound male is what I expected. [Not a petite-looking woman; but Stephen knows that appearances can be dangerously deceiving, especially where the mystical and supernatural are concerned.] Don’t worry, I’ve adjusted my expectations accordingly.

[But this isn’t really the important part, is it? The potentially worrisome part.]

Including the whole devouring humans part? Is that true, too?

[sakaya]

Aw, you disappointed?

[ If there's one constant, it's that no matter the appearance, Shuten-Douji is classified as dangerous.

Shuten leans against the wall, opposite of Strange, raising her brows suggestively at his question. ]

... Wanna find out for yourself, Doctor Stephen Strange?

[ No hesitance, no shame. It's a wanton provocation and one she clearly enjoys doing. Her voice is low and pleasant making her offer sound enticing (as if she's suggesting to be devoured and then be devoured). ]

[sorser]

[He huffs out a not-laugh, smiling at her thinly. If there’s one thing he’s already learned about this new acquaintance, it’s that she is uncaring in her provocations. Probably dishes them out as happily as the chefs prepare their many-course meals for the new Summoned.]

I hope that’s not a threat, Shuten-Douji. I’m not a fan.

[Of threats? Of being eaten? Take a guess.]

[sakaya]

A threat? You wound me!

[ Shuten returns the laugh and walks up to him, waving her empty glass around. ]

It's an invitation. Do you think I'd just rip into just any human, like a starving brute? Though even if I wanted to, my style is a liiiittle different.

[ Well, that confirms that she has, in fact, feasted on them. Up close, even though her powers have been dampened due to the Summoning, the unmistakable aroma of alcohol lingers around her as a dangerous and coaxing perfume. ]

Well, in my current form, I just eat and drink for pleasure. And my cute Master wouldn't be too happy if I acted out as a child so you don't need to be concerned.

[ always be concerned ]

[sorser]

[Just assume that Stephen Strange is always followed by a shadow of Vaguely Concerned at all times.]

What do you mean, your Master?

[His collected, drawn from reading and glancing research, information fails him where a Master is concerned. That, or it’s more critical information lost to the tides of time and space — such as being female.]

[sakaya]

Well, I said it didn't I? I'm a Servant... Ah, wait. Of course, that won't mean anything to some people.

[ Shuten clicks her tongue in mild annoyance. ]

To make this very brief, in my current form, I'm a magical familiar. "Servants" where I'm from are spirits who have left their mark on human history and imagination... Hero or villain, human or otherwise... [ She gestures indifferently with one hand. ]

If one has the means and if the occasion calls for it, you can summon a very useful warrior to serve you as you wish, though you better have an endeavor worthy of them.

As for myself, my Master is a delightful young lady, who I've yet to spot anywhere. This upsets me greatly!

[ Insert a (fake) sniffle, muffled behind her sleeve here. ]

I may be a man-eating monster, but I'm hardworking Doctor Strange. So this detour in this world may throw my priorities off a little.

[sorser]

[For a sorcerer, she need only put it in simple terms: that she’s a summoned spirit, and often only summoned by a mage(?) that she’d call master.

Easy enough, and perhaps the summoning ceremony makes sense to have pulled a spirit out of it, eventually, but it leaves one lingering question.]

Well, what about Thorne? They’ve summoned you, so does that make them your new Master?

Or are their “endeavors” not enticing enough for you?

[sakaya]

I'm no magus or onmyouji... But I can safely say I don't feel my connection to my Master has been tampered with in any visible way.

[ Whatever ritual was used, was completely separate from Chaldea's. And as far as Shuten can tell, her current projection is still stable since all the Servants relied on the organization's resources to remain materialized. ]

The key difference here Doctor is that I'm just like everyone else in this situation. It's a lot more forced and outside of the known systems of my world.

[ She shrugs as she peers at her empty glass as if willing it to fill itself. ]

Ah, well. I'm fine being wherever as long as it proves entertaining, y'know? If they're gonna go through sooo much trouble, I can only hope they make it worth my while.