expiationlogs | TEST DRIVE MEME #11

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TEST DRIVE MEME #11

Test Drive Meme #11

Welcome to Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with elements of fantasy, science fiction, and some subtle horror.

THE STORY SO FAR (click to expand!)

Characters have arrived in Expiation, a seemingly idyllic fantasy world where they have been told they will be judged and sentenced for crimes they were charged with upon arrival.

Every two months, several characters are chosen for sentencing, where they’re brought to City Hall and told to perform a task related to their assigned crime.

Their only contact at City Hall is a mysterious and long-suffering man called Jerry.

Over time, characters have begun to realize that not all is as it seems in Expiation: as it turns out, the entire world is a simulation that seems to be run by an artificial intelligence.
This AI claims that its purpose, and thus the purpose of Expiation, is rehabilitating the Chosen after their crimes.

In March 2024, after the destruction of City Hall, the city of Aldrip was forced into an upgrade status. While this upgrade was being implemented, characters were pulled into a false reality where they believed they were natives to the city of Aldrip.

Aldrip has been a bit of a glitchy place for many, many months. However, in Summer 2024, these glitches became difficult to ignore, and pointed at evidence of a catastrophic systems failure. For several months, characters experienced chaotic effects as elements from their worlds and many others were thrown into the setting without warning, even going so far as to import a Gnosia infection.

The AI in charge of Expiation believed that performing a system reset might be the only way to stop the glitches before they could impact the world as a whole.

In September 2024, characters complied with the AI’s request and performed a reset. Although this set the AI back to a default state where it felt more neutral–rather than affectionate–toward the Chosen, several people created a system backup that they hope will return some of the data that has made the AI more sympathetic toward the Chosen.

When Aldrip was reset, City Hall became a Courthouse, and this is the new building where Chosen are now sent for sentencing.

TDM top-levels are open to all, whether you are already in-game or not. New characters, please put TDM in your subject header so we’ll know you’re trying things out! You can also put your top-level in the TDM DIRECTORY at the bottom of the post. New folks are welcome and encouraged to use TDM threads as samples in their application. Current players may use TDM threads as part of their AC proofs.

October's TDM takes place on October 21st.

You can view our CALENDAR to keep important dates in mind. RESERVES open on October 21 and APPLICATIONS will open on October 24. After this, applications will next open in December 2024.

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Arrival

Spooky season has come to Aldrip in full force! City and outskirts gardens are full of pumpkins to harvest, trees begin turning red and orange, and there’s a chill in the air that’d have anyone reaching for a cozy sweater. The wind picks up occasionally, howling through the trees, especially near the forest… While the seasonal weather is welcoming, the locals are anything but: they send disapproving glances and keep a wide distance. Unfortunately, this may only be heightened by the new arrivals to the city…

Newcomers to Aldrip face a rude awakening this month. Strange iron cages have appeared on surfaces all over town, short and tall alike, and this is where new Chosen find themselves upon arrival. The cages themselves aren’t terribly hard to open, honestly; the latch is on the outside, and it’s a bit finicky, but it’s not locked or anything. That said, some of these cages are quite high up. They’re sometimes near ledges and windows, but not always, and some new Chosen might need a helping hand to get down.

Yeah. The optics aren’t great. No wonder the locals are a little nervous!

The fall carnival

On the morning of October 21st, a Fall carnival pops up, seemingly out of nowhere. It hasn’t been well-advertised–maybe a flyer or two around town–but luckily for the Chosen, those who work there don’t seem to have the same opinion of them as the locals do. Costumes are not required for the carnival, but they’re definitely encouraged! There is a large tent near the entrance with lots of costumes to choose from, and changing rooms as well, should the Chosen decide they’d like to give it a try. The tent workers will be so excited to help with this process–but they might find some very unexpected choices for the Chosen!

There are plenty of rides, games, and food stalls, so come on down! Some special attractions the Chosen may take note of include:

The Funhouse
Billed as a standard house of mirrors, the Chosen are encouraged to try to get through the maze as quickly as they can. Push your limits! Test yourself!

Inside the mirror maze, the Chosen will find more of a test than they might have expected, at first. As they go deeper into the maze, the mirror reflections seem to change. At first, it’s just little things: your reflection might look in a different direction, or move when you stand still. But deeper within the maze, these mirrors begin to show things about the Chosen that they might not be ready to admit just yet. Some reflections may try to confess to the character’s crime to anyone who may be in the funhouse, even going into detail about it. Some may even show the crime as it happened, or a warped version of that crime. Anyone present can see and hear these reflections.

The reflections will follow Chosen until they find their way out of the funhouse. Unfortunately, that could take quite a bit longer, since those reflections are so very vocal and distracting.

Pumpkin Pick-up
You know those duck games at a fair where you pick up a rubber duck and the bottom of the toy has a prize written on it? Well, we know better than to pick up a duck in a ~~dungeon~~ carnival here in Expiation, so for extra spooky flair, these are small pumpkins instead, with painted jack-o-lantern faces! Picking up a pumpkin should reveal a prize…but what’s this? It’s a challenge instead? Interesting.

Written on the underside of each pumpkin is a truth-or-dare style directive. Players are free to make up any challenge they want, here! If you’re looking for some ideas, we’ve provided some examples in the details cut below.

Click here for a list of example challenges!

Tell someone your biggest regret
Tell someone about the scariest moment you’ve ever had
Confess your deepest shame to a stranger
Take someone’s shoes
Attempt to pickpocket someone without them noticing
Find a stranger and show off a secret talent
Tell someone about the thing you hate most, deep down
Kiss or hug a stranger
Eat something that doesn’t look like food
Tell someone about the cruelest thing you have ever done
Start dancing in the middle of a crowd, but only if there’s no music playing
Tell a stranger about the worst lie you ever told
Ask a stranger out on a date
Set off a small firework without warning
Give away your shirt and do not replace it
Confess your greatest weakness
Put on an extra silly costume
Exchange clothes with a stranger

You get the idea! Feel free to use these as a jumping off point and make up your own–there are no limits to what the pumpkins might say. Once the task has been completed, Chosen may turn the pumpkins in at one of the prize booths for whatever prize they would like. There’s no visible indication on the pumpkin as to whether the task is done or not, so you’re welcome to try bluffing, if you don’t want to complete it…but somehow, the booth worker always seems to know.

Dueling Potions
One of the stalls is a game of chance: two identical potions sit before you on a table. The carnie claims that one is a luck potion, and that choosing that potion will give you excellent luck for the whole day…but how do you tell which is which? By drinking the potion, of course!

There’s a 50% chance of victory, here. One vial does indeed contain a good luck potion, and if you choose that vial, your luck will be incredible for the next 24 hours. Unfortunately, the other bottle contains a bad luck potion, and that will have the opposite effect: for 24 hours, you’ll be plagued by disaster, bad happenstance, and maybe even some extra clumsiness. Does it seem a bit like you need to have good luck to get good luck, here? What, is this a commentary on something? Hmm.

Fortune Teller
Want some woo in your spooky season? A midnight-blue tent covered in stars seems to invite you in. You’ll find a bonafide fortune teller within, complete with crystal ball and heady incense. How fun! They’ll give you a cursory reading, either by palm or with strange-looking cards. You get the feeling that this reading is fairly accurate, but strangely…it’s hard to recite details later, if you try to tell someone else about what they told you. How odd. Maybe it was the incense.

It’s not just a hazy fortune and a nose full of frankincense that Chosen leave this booth with: they also feel a compulsion to speak their minds more than they might otherwise. Whether this is telling secrets usually kept close to the vest, expressing their opinions more readily, readily admitting to crimes they’ve been charged with or other wrongdoings, or some other manifestation of this effect is up to players!

There are plenty of other games, rides, and booths to explore, many of which have perfectly standard fare for events like these. Characters can use these booths to win tickets and get prizes: many booths offer cute stuffies and kitschy toys, of course, but Chosen can also find useful items like weapons, food, clothing, accessories, and things like that.

Witch hunt

Last year’s Witch Hunt was metaphorical in nature–this year, it’s much more literal. A limited number of witch hats are placed on a table in front of the carnival. As soon as the clock strikes noon, the Chosen may grab one and try to keep it out of the hands of fellow competitors. These hats are first-come, first-served, but it really doesn’t matter who starts out with one–it’s who ends the hunt with one that counts!

It seems to be like a city-wide game of tag. The Chosen’s job is simple: obtain and keep a witch hat on their head until the clock strikes midnight. If a “witch” is caught by another Chosen (by way of being tagged), they must hand over their hat, or they’ll be disqualified.

There’s no official sign-up for the hunt, so characters can join in whenever they’d like, or may decide not to join at all. So, what’s this all for? Anyone who manages to have a witch hat on by the time the clock strikes midnight is guaranteed a prize! OOCly, this prize is any small non-magical item from home, either personal or not; ICly, Chosen will not know what this prize is before entering. How do you obtain this prize? There’s an RNG for those who would like a chance to sign up to win an item. Sign-up is optional, and TDMers are welcome to join in! New items will be delivered at the start of November, so any new applicants who win the hunt will be able to obtain their items as well.

Wildcard Make your own fun! Just because it’s not in the prompts doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Have at it! Go crazy! Try not to break anything (too much)!

♡

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Don't worry, Vincent. You're excuding too strong a Hot Topic vibe for him to think the two of you would do anything more than just have a little jaunt through a restaurant anyway. ]

Oh, a little bit of this, a little of that. I'm not particularly picky. I've been known to be rather worldly.

[ A beat, and a moment of consideration. ]

Though, if you have anything cooked, that would be best. You never know when you're in places like this.

Hm. Good. At times, beggars cannot be choosers.

I'm certain there are some tricks waiting amongst their festivities, but I doubt anything harmful. There are food stalls down that way if you keep walking. [Vincent has already scoped out the carnival grounds as he's pointing in one direction.] Most of them I wouldn't claim are nutritional meals, but as you said, you aren't picky.

In Aldrip itself, there are decent places to go. Despite our situation, it seems that the simulation is programmed to encourage typical bodily functions for us, including hunger. It'd be an impressive detail to respect in a different circumstance, I suppose.

Hm. You know, I keep hearing the words "simulation" and you have to understand that I'm a little concerned with that one.

[ Multiverse? No problem. Time Travel? Sure! Kidnapped and induced into a drugged high? Well, he'd have to go to AA for a few months after, but he'd survive it.

Simulation where he can't affect the world around him despite the extremis nanovirus?

Problematic. ]

So, ah, we know who's in charge of this "simulation" yet? Because... and I know I'm sure you all get this a lot, but... I'd prefer to know if it was personally targeting me or not.

Understandable. I would not anticipate anyone feeling otherwise when told they've woken into virtual reality.

[He gives the barest attempt at a shrug. It doesn't even go up an inch, it's more like a nudge, but that's what happens when you have the weight of so much trauma on your shoulders.]

Everyone refers to Jerry, but frankly I would be surprised if he was the only one. The simulation was degrading for reasons I don't quite understand, and has been recently rebooted.

In any case, you aren't special. You and other "Chosen", myself included, have been selected for rehabilitation for our sins.

Poorly made, if it's degrading.

[ He says, offhand. ]

How long has it been in play? [ And this "Jerry"? Terrible name for a supervillain. ]

This hasn't been my first, but normally they only last a few hours to a few days, but... [ A twitch of his lips. ]

After being here for a few days, I'm starting to think that's not the case.

You can tell Jerry that, if you ever meet him. In any case, we resolved that issue, for better or for worse.

[Vincent sighs and shakes his head.] I haven't been here as long as many. Approximately six months now, for my time.

So you'll find that a few days is paltry in comparison to many others.

Great, six months, and nobody has figured a way out?

[ Can you Sense the slight slip of annoyance from the general attempts to be personable? Every now and then, that mask that he holds up, the one that means he's just like one of everyone else, slips. ]

Sounds like you guys needed me here, then. Simulations are simple, once I find a way in.

[ "In". What. ]

[What an insufferable man. Vincent folds his arms, peering at Tony, looking distinctly unimpressed.]

Find a way in where, exactly?

[ Yes, yes he is. ]

To the simulation's programming, obviously.

[ He smiled, confidently. ]

Your simulation called in the best help that it could find, at least.

[As flatly as possible:] Is that so.

And how long do you suppose it would take someone like you to solve our dilemma here?

Oh... Depending on the make, programming language, and level of technology?

[ He's so insufferable. ]

A week at best, probably a few months at worst.

[ A shrug. ] I'm not considered a brilliant inventor for nothing, you know.

I will merely have to take your word for it, as all I've bore witness to thus far is a braggart.

[Vincent is absolutely not taking his word for it]

I suppose it wouldn't benefit you to know other brilliant inventors and such, capable as you are?

[ He laughs. Ok, Vincent 💖 he likes you. ]

Oh, a gathering of minds is always welcome. They'll at least cut down on the time I have to gather data, and at best we'll be able to work together on getting out of here. I'm not one to cut out resources if I can avoid it. Especially ones that are useful.

[ Those are people, Tony. ]

And maybe they'll even put up with my bragging, when I figure us a way out of here.

I wonder if it would be troublesome for them to introduce you. Hm. [but honestly if anyone can handle this guy, it's probably Spock, so it could be worth it. Maybe.]

I will reach out to them and see if they care to contact you. What is your name?

Fantastic! See, I knew you were the right person to talk to when we started chatting.

[ No, no he didn't, but those kinds of inauthentic compliments really are just natural to him at this point. Normally, people really liked it, but... well. Probably not Vincent. ]

Call me Tony Stark. If there's anyone who's familiar, maybe they'll even come right on over, and make sure to get us started. [ He says. Like he expects it. ]

[sounds fake af man]

Hm. [For a moment, Vincent is quiet as he looks over Tony, tilting his head curiously. Eventually, he lets out a soft snort.]

Peter was too kind in his description of you. Which does not surprise me.

[ This will throw everyone for a loop until he meets Peter, because Tony knows many Peters, but a Peter Parker has been recently, blissfully erased from his mind as someone he knows.

Sure, he's aware of Peter Parker, because the kid's been taking pictures for the Daily Bugle for years. That said, that's all he knows about him. Mostly because when he's from, Peter had just recently sold his marriage ~~and unborn May Parker~~ to Mephisto in exchange for... look, it's bad but we do what we can.

So there is a long, long pause.

Who?

Hm.

[Vincent doesn't even sound troubled by that. When he himself had arrived, only Barret had remembered him; Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith had no memory of Vincent. So this isn't impossible, even if Vincent doesn't quite have the right assumption about it.]

Too troublesome to get into right now. In any case, I know you only from a description from another person. Someone I respect.

Well then. [ He reaches out, as if to pat him on the shoulder. ]

Then I'm sure he's worthy of that respect.

[ He literally doesn't know that guy.

kind of?

It's complicated???? ]

And if he thinks highly of me, well, he clearly has excellent taste.

[There's a look of mild irritation at the gesture, as if he would consider it offensive that Tony would even consider touching him.]

Questionable. He is a gentle soul. One would probably have to do something truly revolting to earn is ire.

...Vincent Valentine. Though I doubt you'll have need of me. [But might as well get the introduction out of the way.]

Huh, I guess alliteration isn't just common in my universe.

[ Sighs. But he curls his lip up in a smile, friendly.

It's that kind of friendly that makes people think they're being looked down on, because it's just that inauthentic. ]

But, don't sell yourself short, huh? I've found that every person can be useful in the right circumstances.

[Vincent just raises a brow at him.] Alliteration isn't that common where I'm from, actually. I suppose I'm just an outlier from my world. [Though now he thinks about it. Peter Parker. Vincent Valentine. That's not an unfair assumption to make!]

My specialties do not lie with technological feats. I provide my aid in other methods, that is true. [But also like he doesn't want to offer it necessarily to Tony, especially with a smile like that.

It honestly makes him think of Shinra.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #11

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