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ABRAXAS MODS ([personal profile] abraxasmods) wrote in [community profile] abraxasooc2021-05-20 09:20 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #1

TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the very first 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 two 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 here. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.

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.

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 baring 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.

"I beg your pardon," he says, so absorbed in the pages of the book that he doesn't bother to look up, "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. One of my apprentices will explain everything in a moment, but please refrain from yelling and thrashing about until then. You're quite alright, and screaming gives me a hell of a headache."

Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the heavy tome, until he stops on one specific page, stares at it for a moment, and then exclaims:

"Aha!"

Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne

Ambrose's expression brightens, eyes twinkling with delight. 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.

"Success! It's a success!" he exclaims, slamming the book shut and scurrying towards you.

Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem quite relieved at his jovial outburst, 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, you're an honored guest here," 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 (everyone appears to have arrived within the last few days), or you can wander around and meet the others.

There's also a dining hall stocked with all sorts of fancy food to meet every possible dietary need, and a library filled with epic tales and legends and the history of Thorne. Given that this is the Thorne library, it may be a biased account that makes the Kingdom look a fair bit better than the rest of the world sees them. Last but not least, there's a study hall where a few junior mages (younger and less experienced than the apprentices from earlier) might be willing to teach you some simple elemental magic. Think holding a small flame in the palm of your hand, or blowing a door shut with a gust of wind.

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 spending too much time with the prisoners will lead to some suspicion being cast upon you. If you ask anyone why the prisoners are being held there, you'll be told that they pose a great threat to the Kingdom (and, by extension, the entire world).

Scenario Two: Imprisoned

The High Mage scowls, grinding his teeth as he slams the book shut. "Another failure!" he barks at the apprentices, "You lot wouldn't know your ass from a hole in the ground, would you?"

All four of them lower their heads, and two of them mumble an apology that Ambrose either doesn't hear or refuses to acknowledge. "Well, don't just stand there," he says, waving a hand in the air, "We've put all this effort into getting this wretched creature, we may as well put it to good use."

One of the apprentices drops a baggy, rough-feeling tunic, a pair of pants, and some worn sandals in your lap and glares down at you until you put them on (if you refuse, they'll tell you they can kick you back down that well if you don't want to cooperate). They're glaring at the High Mage as much as they're glaring at you (when they're sure he isn't looking, anyway). You might catch one of them long enough to ask them why they're so upset with you, but all they'll say is that the High Mage knows something they don't, and he's awfully upset about it.

Once you're fully clothed, another apprentice clamps some heavy iron shackles around your wrists and leads you on. The High Mage is far ahead of you already, muttering some long string of Thornean curses before he stands up straight and pauses, spinning to face you.

"One more thing," he says, holding one hand in the air and chanting something under his breath, "Can't have you getting too troublesome."

If you had powers, the slight connection you still had to them slips away completely and you're left with nothing as the four apprentices drag you towards the castle. They may answer a few of your questions (with some insults and curses peppered in), but they won't tell you anything important.

Once you arrive at the castle you're brought to the dungeons and thrown into a locked cell. There are four people to a cell, and two sets of bunk beds with a thin and lumpy straw mattress. If you're over six feet tall, these beds are going to be awfully uncomfortable. You might as well meet your roommates. Once per day you're dragged out to an enclosed courtyard for one hour of recreation (with some crude weights, benches, and balls lying around but not much else), where you can meet the rest of the prisoners, but you can also talk to your immediate neighbors in the cells on either side and across the hallway. Just don't yell too much or the guards will snap at you to be quiet.

Everyone in the dungeon is fed one meal a day, and for a prison meal it's decent: a bit of meat, a bun, and a salad. It would seem that the Thornean chefs take too much pride in their craft to send bad food to the dungeons. The meals are all served in equal portions, though, so the smaller prisoners may be overfed and the larger ones may be getting hungry. Feel free to fight for food or share with your cellmates.

Crudely embroidered on the back of every prison tunic is the same image that was on your card and the name of the sign beneath it. A guard may explain a bit about the sign, and tell you some negative stereotypes they hold about yours.

You may be blessed with a visit from one of the more welcomed newcomers, and they may sneak you some extra food or a small book to read or they may share some of the information they've gathered. However, rumors travel fast and some people believe the honored guests in the castle above are somehow responsible for the lot of the prisoners below. And although you may hope for kindness, there's nothing stopping them from being cruel to you if they wish. The guards will certainly turn a blind eye if one of them wishes to take out their frustrations on you.




Questions


How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Whether your character is honored or imprisoned has nothing to do with their personal morality, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into either situation.

Can I try out both scenarios?
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 Ambrose?
Prisoners will be dragged against their will. Honored guests will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and Ambrose and the apprentice mages will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, Ambrose will warn them once that he's willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight he will make good on that promise.

My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the castle, murdering the castle staff, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other staff 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 (if they are an honored guest) or a punishment like denial of food or temporary solitary confinement (if they are a prisoner), and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Thorneans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.

Ambrose will take it especially personally, as this experiment was his idea and too much trouble would risk the summoning spell being scrapped and potentially result in him being demoted. Rest assured it does not take much for him to throw someone back in the well at this point in time.

Is the power loss for the prisoners permanent?
No, although honored guests will regain their powers first due to the lack of interference from Ambrose, the prisoners will be able to regain theirs soon enough as well.

Can the prisoners talk about anything private, or will they be overheard at all times?
There are guards patrolling the dungeon, but they aren't always within earshot. Most of the attention is being focused on the new guests, so the prisoners will have some opportunities for privacy.

Can my character leave the castle?
For now they will be prevented from leaving the castle, even if they are an honored guest. A bit of a gilded cage, isn't it? They'll also find that any powers they regain cease to work outside of the castle walls (this is also a temporary effect) so flying outside is not an option.

Can my character eventually side against Thorne if I choose to make them an honored guest/can they side with Thorne if I choose to imprison them?
Yes, characters in Scenario 1 will be able to betray Thorne, and characters in Scenario 2 can work themselves into Thorne's good graces.

How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?
This choice will have a major impact on gameplay throughout the first few months of the game, and potentially a bit beyond that depending on where our players guide the plot. 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 both scenarios 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 two 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 a put a character on the TDM if their canon is less than 30 days old?
Yes. For this app round, anything that's at least 30 days old when the game opens on June 12th can be applied from.

Do the apprentice mages have names?
Their names are Jeffrey, Grigory, Noelle, and Jolene.


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nadine_he_loves: (not so sure)

[personal profile] nadine_he_loves 2021-05-31 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah.

[Nadine nods, giving Susan a serious appraising look. There's a touch of respect and empathy in it, the same as in her voice when she speaks.]

I bet you have. But I'll still probably worry, just because I know it can be hard in unusual situations. And it's okay to be worried, and it's okay to be confused and unsure or even scared. This is...it's a scary, confusing thing that's happening. But that's good - don't hesitate if someone seems a little off. A knee to the balls can be a girl's best defense most of the time.

[They're all in a vulnerable position, but a young girl in a dungeon cell is at even worse a disadvantage. Nadine is going to worry, she can't help it. Even kids who know how to take care of themselves can end up in bad trouble.]
girl_at_the_window: (pic#14924644)

[personal profile] girl_at_the_window 2021-05-31 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[Susan nods back, smiling faintly, amused and a little touched. It reminds her of her da, is the thing. Her da, shaking his head and ruffling her hair, telling her how to manage the boys at school. Red thinking pipe between his lips, his kind eyes creasing at the corners.]

[It's a nice reminder, is all.]


When there's no choice, hesitation was ever a fault.

[Her da's old saying comes easily to her tongue. Her smile widens a little, showing just a small shine of teeth.]

I've kneed my fair share o' boys, never ye fear.
nadine_he_loves: (flattered smile)

[personal profile] nadine_he_loves 2021-06-03 07:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Good.

[Something they have in common. It's a small relief, though, the assurance that Susan has no problem standing up for herself. Or kneeing up, as the case may be. Too many young women weren't taught how to defend or stand up for themselves.]

Then I'll try not to worry too much. But if there's anything else I can try and sneak down here for you...
girl_at_the_window: (Satisfy my loneliness)

[personal profile] girl_at_the_window 2021-06-03 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Susan's quiet for a moment, chewing on her lip and looking almost embarrassed.]

...It's a small thing, is all, but I'd give a good deal for hair ribbons. Not even ribbons, just summat to hold it back. It undoes itself so fast, ye ken?
nadine_he_loves: (flattered smile)

[personal profile] nadine_he_loves 2021-06-05 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I can bring you some later.

[Nadine smiles, nodding. It's a simple request and more than easy to fulfill. The little things, as she said, make a difference. Even something like being able to tie your hair back from your face. She can do this small kindness for Susan, in place of something more significantly helpful.

It's hard not to put herself in the girl's place. She remembers still, so painfully clearly, what it was to be a teenager and wanting for even the little things. Alone among strangers in a strange place, unsure of where she stood or what would happen, no power over her own situation or immediate future. How can she not help in any small way she can?]


And maybe a little something more to eat. I'm sure there's something chocolate around here somewhere.
girl_at_the_window: (Perhaps I'll die)

[personal profile] girl_at_the_window 2021-06-06 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
[Susan's brow furrows, and she tilts her head to the side.]

I don't ken chucklit. Should I?
nadine_he_loves: (flattered smile)

[personal profile] nadine_he_loves 2021-06-08 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh!

[Nadine smiles. She can't imagine not having ever even heard of chocolate, but at least it means she can really brighten Susan's day. That's one small balm to her own rather distressed soul.]

It's...really good. I'll bring you some. It's my favorite kind of dessert.
girl_at_the_window: (pic#14924620)

[personal profile] girl_at_the_window 2021-06-09 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Is it a fruit thing, or honey? Or sugar?

[She says sugar with a certain reverence. She can taste sugar in the pastry Nadine gave her - the pastry she now takes another mouthful of, before folding it away and turning to tuck it under the pillow of her bunk - and that's wonder enough, but suddenly she's realising that there might be more of that kind of thing, so readily available.]

[Then she thinks of something, her father's voice needling at the back of her mind, and she scrunches her face up as she turns back to Nadine.]


If it's expensive, I don't know that I oughtta take it. I can't pay 'ee back, and I ain't one for charity.
nadine_he_loves: (smiling pre vegas)

[personal profile] nadine_he_loves 2021-06-09 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not expensive where I come from. At all. It's...everywhere, it's pretty much everybody's favorite dessert flavor back home. And it's got sugar, back home we put sugar in just about everything honestly, even my grandma's tomato sauce recipe has sugar in it. But chocolate comes from the cocoa bean. Do you know coffee? It's kind of like a coffee flavor but really sweet and rich.

[It's the closest Nadine can think to describe chocolate to someone without any sort of context for it. There's a slight bitter under the sweet, and the full flavor is comparable. But it doesn't really give the right impression, not near at all.]

Besides, the people here are just giving us food and drinks and that sort of stuff. I could probably go into the dining hall and just fill up a basket of stuff. If they're gifts, I can do whatever I want with a gift once it's mine. Including share it.
girl_at_the_window: (Spread your wings and take the sky)

[personal profile] girl_at_the_window 2021-06-09 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sweet coffee? That... just sounds odd, really. Sure, some people (Thorin comes immediately to mind) might put honey or even sugar in their coffee, but coffee isn't meant to be sweet. It's meant to be dark and gritty and strong, and drunk from a tin mug while your father puffs on his thinking pipe.]

[Her head tilts a little, both at the idea of sweet coffee, and at the idea of sugar in everything. Sugar in sauces? Gods, what a world!]


I guess if it's free off of the people who're keeping us, there ain't a thing wrong with taking it. [Call it fair pay for being locked in a cell.] Do you really put sugar in sauce where ye're from?