TEST DRIVE MEME #11

[expiationmods]

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.

Full Navigation

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)!

♡

Comments

Zenos Viator Galvus (Final Fantasy XIV) TDM

[lifelessly]

i — arrival.

[ the man is awfully calm for one who awakes to find himself in a cage. he's in no hurry to escape, even though his size and build indicate that he would be able to pry his way out, even without futzing with the latch.

instead, soulless blue eyes scan his surroundings. the cage is bolted to a tree just a few feet off the ground, in sight of some sort of festival. the crispness in the air indicates autumn, and the sounds of far-off laughter would stir anyone with a normal heart.

zenos does not have a normal heart. it only slumbers at such peaceful surroundings. and yet— ]

"You there."

[ a poor passerby gets his curiosity directed at them, greeted by a smile that screams "danger". ]

"Do you know who did this to me?"

[ someone was able to subdue and cage him, and that thought makes the blood pump through his veins more vigorously. he would very much like to meet them. ]

ii — eye on the prize.

[ it's an awfully funny sight. an intimidating man in black, easily seven feet tall, stooped down and looking at the booth quite intently without a word. a competitive game where you compete to see who can pop more balloons with a fake firearm. so commonplace in most universes that it's downright boring, and yet the man is studying it like a piece of fine art.

the employee looks appropriately terrified, of course. the blonde looks not quite emotional enough for his expression to be dejected— bored, more than anything.

the game absolutely requires two players— so says the sign on the booth— and he is only one man. but among the prizes is a sword that shimmers in the sunlight that peeks occasionally through the clouds.

of course, he could simply take it and leave— who would fight him if he did?— but he's in a good mood, for the moment. if only someone would ask to compete with him... ]

iii — witch hunt.

[ the whole game is a bit tacky. it lacks decorum. a proper goal. "win a prize" is far too vague to be compelling, and the demand for fairness and giving in to any who catch you makes things so very pleasant.

if only it were a proper hunt. one where he would have to pry his catch from one's hands, and feel actual adrenaline breathe life into him; one where the strongest would win, rather than the one with the most opportune timing.

still, a hunt is a hunt, and he can't help but crave some sport in this world. there is a rival-shaped hole in his heart.

so, sorry to the holder of the hat that crosses into his field of view— the man is lunging at you on sight. ]

iv — wildcard.

(hello there! totally new to the dreamwidth format and still figuring a lot of stuff out, so please be gentle with me. I'm down to try pretty much anything though! feel free to toss a starter at me if you have an idea or hit me up for plotting. excited to try this out with everyone!)

1. *Zenos*

[endcaller]

[Fandaniel is walking through Aldrip with no real destination in mind, thinking dark thoughts.

Souls here can be lost, he thinks. If the corruption in the AI's data returns, they may all lose their souls and become fully one with this wretched simulation.

....A decent Ascian would destroy the simulation before that could happen, he thinks. Yes, that's--

A voice calls to him from nearby... An achingly familiar voice.

Fandaniel looks up and sees a face peering in his direction through the branches of a tree. For a moment, he weighs his choices, then decides being foolishly reckless is more fun.

He steps forward, fully revealing himself, and smiles up at the face of Zenos viator Galvus.]

My liege!

I must admit, I am surprised that our keeper managed to ensnare a man of your formidable strength.

Do you require assistance getting out of that cage?

Re: 1. *Zenos*

[lifelessly]

[ ah.

he can't hide the way his "smile" drops, suddenly looking bored. he'd had more than enough of this yappy dog of a man by the time they said farewell...

but, at the very least, he could prove useful in actually finding a lead for him. his dear advisor was worth his salt in actually producing results, if nothing else. ]

"As am I. That's why I would like to know who this keeper of yours is."

[ easier than he expected, that. though his eyes flash dangerously at the implication that he would be thwarted by something so trivial.

rather than answer with words, he simply takes two of the bars in his hands, the iron practically crumpling in his hands as he pries open a way out, before locking eyes with the ascian again. ]

[endcaller]

Evidently not.

Ah, where are my manners?

[Fandaniel puts a leg forward and stoops into an elegant bow.]

Welcome to Expiation, my Lord! I certainly hope you were not doing anything too important back home, as you may not see our star again for a long while...

[The star is dead as far as the Ascian knows, anyway.]

You have been brought here by a very nosy AI who feels, strongly I should add, that you are guilty of a crime and must be rehabilitated.

[As he settles back from his bow he gestures around them.]

This world is a simulation or an illusion of sorts. But it has a firm grip on our souls all the same.

[lifelessly]

[ and his court jester advisor doesn't disappoint. he may parade around like a haughty peacock, but he has, at least, learned to get to the point. ]

Anything important...?

[ his gaze grows a bit distant as he remembers where he was last. laying at the edge of the universe, hand outstretched as the last breath of life left him... ]

Hardly. I won't be missed.

[ he quirks an eyebrow at the ascian, looking a little intrigued by the prospect. he doesn't fully understand the explanation, but— ]

A new lease on life, then... interesting.

...I take it you're under the same circumstances?

[endcaller]

[A new lease on life?

...Interesting choice of words. Fandaniel makes a mental note to ask further about that but first:

He twirls in a circle around Zenos and giggles softly.]

Oh, yes, my Lord!

According to our keeper, I have been a very naughty boy and must reconsider my life's choices.

[After completing a full circle he stops where he began and assumes a dancer's pose, one hand on his hip.]

As if something as trivial as having my soul stolen away to another realm could ever be enough for me to abandon my life's work. The nerve of some AIs, mmm?

[lifelessly]

[ His eyes follow the man, as always. He knows better than to let his guard down around him, silly and non-threatening as he pretends to be. ]

I would be lying if I said I wasn't shocked to see you facing consequences. Though your response is less surprising...

[ His resilience and determination is perhaps the only trait of Fandaniel's he envies. ]

So the yappy dog hasn't actually been leashed at all, despite appearing to be? How... interesting.

[ A bit nostalgic, that. ]

[endcaller]

[His grin widens, showing a few too many teeth.]

Unleashed, unbound, and free to live in the moment, my Lord! But I am, as ever, your loyal hound.

In fact, I believe that a certain "project" of ours could be repeated here! That is, if you are willing to begin your great hunt anew?

[There is no Warrior of Light in Expiation but Fandaniel knows of many powerful heroes who could take their place.]

iii - you!!!!

[starringsecond]

[Looking a witch is more like Rita's style, not Yuri's, but he's more interested in the game itself rather than the headwear. It might seem like a silly game, but the young man always had a competitive streak, and it sounded like a fun way to get some exercise during the carnival.

A test of your reflexes, if you will.

So imagine his surprise when he senses a flash of genuine bloodlust coming on from his direction: something he would find on the battlefield or in an assassination attempt, rather than in a friendly game of tag. He doesn't need to even try looking for its source, when the giant hulking figure is charging towards him with a speed unexpected for his size.

Unfortunately for this feral stranger, one of Yuri's merits is of his speed.]

You're gonna have to try harder than that!

[If he suspiciously sounds like you in Japanese, that's just a figment of your imagination. Surely.]

Re: iii - you!!!!

[lifelessly]

[ huh. his voice does seem familiar. but no matter. he has a hunt to see to. ]

A challenge...

[ he practically growls the word, a genuine smile forming upon his lips. this is the very opposite of "unfortunate". ]

Good. Don't hold back.

[ and again he lunges, more feral animal than human, after the smaller man. if he's actually met a match for him, then all the better. ]

tbh the reason yuri can deal with zenos is that he's like level 99 in his game already

[starringsecond]

[Alright huge guy, maybe consider taking a chill pill? Even Yuri thinks you're being way to hot-blooded for this kind of thing. But he can't deny the smile that graves his face upon realizing the force that approaches his way. The purple-haired man could easily tell: this guy is strong.

Here's hoping he would be up for a spar or two after that.

At the meantime, he draws his own sword: still sheathed, for it is not his intention to spill blood, but he needs his weapon to parry this blow away from him and his precious hat. He can't keep dodging forever, after all!

And because Yuri is a brat, he adds to it with a biting taunt:]

Are you sure you're not the one holding back here? Because right now, it doesn't feel like you're trying hard enough.

don't worry he'll catch up. he loves grinding mobs

[lifelessly]

[ What is a "chill pill"? Zenos is rawdogging life with no medication and doing absolutely great about it, thank you. ]

Ahaha...! Yes, Yes!

[ He can't contain the focus that turns to damn-near glee when Yuri is resourceful enough to draw his blade. Oh, how he hopes they might be able to cross them after this.

The smirk only gets wider after being taunted. A hunt must be thrilling, after all. Prey that just rolls over and lets him have it is so boring.

Of course, he should make it fair. Though that's only if you see a man drawing a huge scythe versus a sheathed sword as fair. ]

Are you prepared to die to protect that which you hold so dear, swordsman?

[starringsecond]

[No, Zenos!!! You have to find a therapist and get medication you can't just rawdog it noooooooooooo -

Anyway. Yuri is saying no in his head, but for a completely different reason: There's a guy he knew, you see. Someone who was obsessed with him and relentlessly pursued him in search of of a good fight. Someone who uncomfortably reminded Yuri of himself if he ever lost sight of his ideals. And this guy? Is acting very much like Zagi right now.

So, yeah. Oh No, indeed.]

Geez, dude. It's just a hat. It's not that important.

[And it doesn't help that deep down, he actually likes fighting this guy. Dude, the raw power on him is so strong. Obviously he's not going to hold back if the other warrior is actually willing to pull up a huge damn scythe just to get his prize! Who said that this contest meant he was supposed to deal with a fight to the death?!]

That being said, I very much hate losing, so guess I still have the pride to stop you.

[If big dude has a big scythe, then Yuri is going to pull off the big guns too. He tosses the sheath away, and Second Star's blade gleams against the light.]

ii

[nightwild]

[The girl who approaches next to Zenos is looking him over appraisingly. Her fox ears twitch as she sizes this guy up. He's huge, blonde- And he doesn't look super familiar with these sorts of games, does he?]

I wouldn't bother. These things are usually rigged.

Re: ii

[lifelessly]

[ zenos turns his head to look at the one who approached. he sizes her up as well— small, interesting, miqo'te-like, but certainly brave to even walk up to him, let alone give him guidance.

these kinds of conversations are... worth entertaining, especially in his current circumstance. ]

"Rigged? So even if you win, you won't be granted a prize?"

[ he sounds intrigued, like a child who had never heard of such a concept before. ]

[nightwild]

[God, this guy is huge. But that's all. She doesn't seem particularly impressed by his size or demeanor.]

Nah, if you win, you'll get the prize. They just rig it so you don't win.

[lifelessly]

[ good. he appreciates when people don't treat him with too much reverence. so far— he likes this little thing. ]

"I see..."

[ he sounds unconvinced, though. ]

"Then one could simply keep playing until they're deemed fit to win? Or... until they find a way to overcome this paltry barrier."

[nightwild]

I mean... They usually charge money to try, so. You're welcome to throw all your money away at it, if you want.

[She seems confused by him, really. "Paltry barrier"? Who talks like that?]

[lifelessly]

[ he nods in understanding. so that's what it is. she is awfully helpful. ]

"A scheme to make money, then... Of course. Everything has a price, as always."

[ he sounds annoyed by that fact. and of course he is, because... ]

"...and if I don't have any? Is there any other way I can try to obtain the prize, or must I resort to taking it by force?"