TEST DRIVE MEME #14

[expiationmods]

Test Drive Meme #14

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 the Courthouse (formerly City Hall) and told to perform a task related to their assigned crime. Their only contact at the Courthouse 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 September 2024, that AI needed to be reset as a consequence of some catastrophic systems failures. So far, there has been no downside to this reset–but the AI has also been strangely absent since then.

-In November 2024, a strange event overtook Aldrip and turned it into a week-long eternal night where technology ceased to work. During this time, the simulation that generates Expiation seemed to malfunction, causing a strange crack to appear in the surroundings. Through this crack, characters were able to see some sort of metal enclosure. They could reach a hand in, but little more than that. This crack has disappeared, for now, but what it means for Aldrip's future remains to be seen.

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. Current players may use TDM threads as part of their AC proofs. Applications are open to all this cycle!

You can view our CALENDAR to keep important dates in mind. RESERVES open on April 20th and APPLICATIONS will open on April 23rd. After this, applications will next open in June.

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A TRANQUIL BEACH VACATION... ?

Hmmm… the sun is shining, there’s the sound of waves–

Wait, the sound of waves?

This new batch of Chosen find themselves waking up in what looks like a fishing village. Some of them wake up outside, some of them wake up with their faces in the sand. Others wake up in what seems like an inn? They might not be the only ones in the bed with them, though. There’s not that many spaces! They may find themselves waking up next to another Chosen – or one of the locals, the Naga. They seem like there’s nothing wrong with this though, and even welcome them into their home. Do they want anything to eat? Drink? They can leave the bed even, if they’d like to continue to rest. Whatever the Chosen ask, they’ll give it to them without hesitation. See? Isn’t it so great here? You don’t even want to go to Aldrip right now! Those guys are awful. See what they did to those poor little welcome bots? Some of those Chosen had tried to dismantle or beat them! They’d run to Rumpitur and the Naga – who aren’t amazing with technology, but had been able to patch them up. But they’re very much still just second-rate patched. They can still see where they’ve been taken apart, and some wheels might even be lopsided as they roll around and give out the parchments and tablets.

Those poor, poor, bots.

But! Spring means rebirth, and that means that the Naga are celebrating. They've even been inviting Chosen from Aldrip to come visit! Those merchants they sent over there were inviting them while trying to sell their wares. Watch out though - they may get dragged into helping set up for the party, or help cook and run errands for the festivities to come.

XOXO GOSSIP GIRL

While the appearance of the Chosen in Rumpitur was not expected, the locals seem to take it in stride - and welcome the new arrivals warmly. The small town may not have much to spare, but they will happily share what they have: a bed at the inn, a meal at the restaurant, a couple of fish from the recent haul. The snake people are more than willing to engage in conversation, too, though don't count on them to answer all your questions - they can't tell you what they don't know, after all. Instead, they're likely to steer the conversation in the direction of the other Chosen. They shudder as they speak of them, sighing dramatically as they recount all the reasons why they're not so keen on the newcomers' Aldrip counterparts.

"Have you heard? They've blown up their own city hall three times! How barbaric!"

"I don't understand how the people there put up with them… they have no respect for anything! They even erected statues of themselves without asking for permission!"

"Now I'm not saying they're all like this, but when my neighbor's friend went over to visit, she swore up and down they were sleeping in coffins!"

"I know this might sound crazy, but my mother has seen them wear socks with sandals!"

"Apparently some of them go missing on a regular basis. I'm not saying they're responsible, but one has to wonder what happens to them…"

… And so on and so forth. The Rumpitur residents are eager to share all the gossip, no matter how ridiculous or improbable, and will continue to do so even after the aforementioned Chosen from Aldrip arrive at their town. They advise the newcomers should stay on guard around them, and don't believe what they say easily. The question is, do you believe them?

Oh, and there is one more topic that seems prevalent among the rumors - the villagers whisper about the visitors from faraway lands finally deciding to end their isolation and reestablish friendly relations with the mainland. What could that be about…?



OOC:
Is there any specific gossip you'd like the people of Rumpitur to spread, real or fake? Feel free to comment here, so the players can use it in their threads if they want! If you'd like to submit a gossip about another character, please make sure the player is okay with it first!

AREN'T YOU EGG-STATIC?

It’s Spring time! It’s time to celebrate the new budding leaves in the trees, many with their blossoms on full display. There are birds singing in the trees, an energy in the little animals that inhabited around and in this fair city.

The merchants of Rumpitur are also here to not only sell their resources for a steep price, but as a show of good faith and to attempt to build bonds, they have offered to celebrate the annual tradition of egg hunting within and around the village! There are eggs that are very particular with chromic shells scattered around town, and they are meant to start off the Spring hope of a good year for commerce, friendship, and prosperity.

Never mind that pesky stereotype that snakes eat eggs. These are traditional and celebratory events only!

Everyone is encouraged to celebrate this fun and light-hearted tradition of find and seek! When the event kicks off, the Rumpitur merchants explain that the eggs are meant to be cracked open to reveal a prize inside! Their chromic shells can be cracked and then peeled or they can be smashed (you heathens) to reveal their contents. The chromic egg shell colours do not correspond to a particular prize either, so it’s all fun and games until someone turns into a snake. What? No, nevermind.

Run free and have fun, Chosen! Share your eggs or horde them for yourself!

Edible Effects:(click to expand!)

Milk Chocolate Egg - Nothing! It’s just delicious! Or is it…?


White Chocolate Egg - Characters will manifest angelic qualities such as wings or a halo or white clothing. They are compelled to help others in need and to avoid causing crime! They will even go so far as to stop a crime from happening at all costs… even self sacrifice! These effects will last 24 hours; this effect can be prolonged with repeatedly consuming this type of egg.


Dark Chocolate Egg - Characters will manifest demonic qualities such as horns, barbed tail, red skin, sharp teeth and even leathery wings. They are compelled to encourage and entice other characters to commit crime (do the Chosen really need help with this? No.). These effects will last 24 hours; this effect can have a prolonged duration with repeatedly consuming this type of egg.


Chocolate Peanut Butter-filled Egg - Characters will suddenly be attached to the first person that they see. They are tethered to within 3 feet from this other person. Your new partner for the next 8 hours? Yeah, they can walk away from you, and you have to follow or be dragged along. And yes, if multiple Chosen eat one of these, there can be multiple teethers. What a great bonding experience!


Chocolate and Caramel Egg - Characters can only tell the truth; alternatively, characters can only tell lies. This is not a compulsion so much as their words will change and warp as they leave their mouths depending on the effect they are under. They can resist, but to no avail. Give in and speak your truth/untruths! This effect will last 6 hours.


White Chocolate with Strawberry-filling Egg - Characters under this effect face an escalating compulsion to share a secret, a crime, or a regret about their lives. The longer they hold out, the more painful the experience becomes. They must tell another Chosen; talking to the trees or the Rumpitur natives doesn’t count. This compulsion lasts for 4 hours or dissipates after the compulsion has been fulfilled.


Chocolate with Lemon-filling Egg - Characters experience aphrodisiac effects. They are overcome with the urge to cuddle anyone around them or… you know. On this effect, characters can either be charming or sassy, so they are ready and able to lay down some smooth moves or encourage a little rough play. This effect lasts 12 hours and can be prolonged with repeated consumption.


Chocolate Nougat Egg - Characters are suddenly very drunk or high or hyper-active. They will probably make a nuisance of themselves or at least need help to find somewhere safe. Let all your drunk/high/hyper dreams come true and try not to puke in someone’s flower pots, okay? This effect will last for 8 hours; it can have its effects prolonged or stacked with repeated consumption.


Rotten egg - Seems like you got pranked. Not only does it taste bad but it seems like it will plague a character who eats it with the worst luck possible.

Non-Edible Effects:(click to expand!)

Small useful item - Use is all in the eye of the beholder of course, but these items are something that can find a place. Examples: mini-binoculars, compass, swiss-army knife, engagement ring (looking at you Vi/Cait & Scott/Kotone), etc. Player discretion encouraged.


Small useless item - This is a small item like a toy, a part, or something that may be fun but have little to no use. Examples are glitter, a mini-puzzle, toy car, magic 8-ball, chinese finger-trap, etc. Player discretion encouraged.


Pet - It can be any kind of animal and not just ones born out of eggs. It can only grow to the size of a medium-sized dog, so no horses or elephants unless they are very miniature. Mystical or animals from a Chosen’s home are fine.


Fuzzy hand-cuffs - Do you need more explanation? The fur can be any colour or pattern that a player wishes. These make great gifts for people you like or don’t.


Magical Bullshit McGuffin - Effects unknown. Only one egg has this ominously glowing orb. Leave a comment if your character wants this and it will be RNG, with the results in the next SOTG. No world-ending skybeams will be included.

IS THAT A SIDEQUEST?

The Naga will also offer quests in exchange for food, and favors. Veteran Chosen may find that if they complete them, the attitudes towards them will soften. New Chosen will find the same thing, that the attitudes seem to cool down towards the old ones the more they’re completed.

There’s a snake in a tree!

A baby Naga is stuck in a tree… somehow? It isn’t sure how to get down though, and is screaming and crying. The parents are at the base of it, pleading for the child to come down, and unable to go up there themselves. Help?

Time to fish!

There’s a fish caught in a net off the docks that the Naga just can’t seem to pull up and onto it. This will require a small group of two or more characters to pull it up and onto the dock. But watch out! The more they tug, the more the fish thrashes. While it won’t hurt Chosen that fall into the water, it might be very likely that they get pulled in.

Fetch!

Could you help some of the cooks around the town? They’re kind of busy cooking for all of these newcomers, so they’re going to ask some groups of Chosen to go gather food from the forest. Be careful though, because there’s monsters out there.

Hey, you!

A Naga might try to get the attention of the Chosen and wave them over, saying that they need help building their new home. They’ll teach Chosen how to use the tools, and hopefully you get someone else with the building. Some of this stuff’s heavy.

OOC:
For old and new players (pending acceptance into the game), there will be a reward for helping out these guys in the SOTG. Quests are not limited to these four, and some may be made up by you if you wish! Just remember that they’re supposed to be positive in spirit, and contribute to Rumpitur in some way. Also, feel free to assume that the player submissions on the bestiary portion do show up in the game as we start to overhaul that page again!

ALL GOOD (?) THINGS COME TO AN END

After about a week, it seems like all the festivities are winding down. The older Chosen are starting to get shooed out of the village, and while they won’t completely kick out the newer ones… they’re going to heavily imply that they don’t have enough space for them all to live with them. Some can stay if they really want to, but they may be told they’re going to end up in Aldrip eventually. They all do, at one time or another, end up in the “home city” of the cycle.

Whatever that means!

But that’s just fine though, it’s not like they haven’t been subject to hearing gossip for a week straight. Just fine.

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

ii-B... or not ii-b, etc etc

[chimericalclaw]

[The first thought that Altius has upon seeing Rodya is—why does this woman look familiar? And then, before he even registers the familiar style of her coat, he remembers Dante's dream.

Ah. Of course.

Then she's gesturing, bringing him out of his thoughts, and what he's been hearing catches up to his awareness. Hum, how lucky for him to come across this particular conversation...

A distinguished-looking man in outfit suited for hiking steps over casually from where he's been chatting up a few of the naga himself.]

Which story do you think is the more interesting one?

[axethrows]

[Good, she got noticed! Rodya tilts her head as she looks over this particular man. The outfit gives off an impression that he enjoys the outdoors or he has a job related to such work.]

More interesting? Probably the casino one if ya ask me, but if you wanna hear the story about the woods, I guess I can give you a rundown. [She flashes a tiny smile.] Can't give out every detail, but if anyone can make a story interesting, leave it to me!

[She knows better than to spill some company secrets openly.]

[chimericalclaw]

[He wants both stories, of course—but his typical charming facade directs him a particular way with a small smile of his own:]

I'll gladly trust your judgment, madam. A jackpot does sound exciting.

[His head is tilted with some interest as his focus remains on her, and the Naga nearby listen with their own curiosity.]

[axethrows]

You got it! Alrighty, everyone get settled in~ Let me place the setting on you and ya'll do your best to get the images in your heads.

[She clears her throat before she starts to move her hands, tracing a large circle in the air with her index fingers. She will move her hands accordingly to give a sense of shape to her story.]

In a dangerous city of twenty-six districts lies the tenth district, where our story will be taking place! Bright lights, towers of cars stacked on top of each other, casinos everywhere you look- Those that want to take the risk to make it big or lose it all, there is truly one place to make it happen!

[She's going to do her best to keep the graphic details omitted or on the lightest version she can get as she doesn't want to ruin the mood around her. The City isn't exactly the nicest place to be after all.]

Due to work-related business, my clock-headed individual along with myself and the rest of our little group ends up at one of these casinos. It was their first time at a casino so of course they had to check things out! The first slot machine they approached, even if it's clear that those machines are rigged, they still end up winning the jackpot on the first play. It got very chaotic with security and other players scrambling with chips flying everywhere. They couldn't gather the entire winnings together in the madness, but since I was there, I managed to pocket a good chunk of chips so the team and I could grab dinner later~

[While it's a summary, it should cover enough. The snake people are in awe over her words.]

[chimericalclaw]

[Well, then. The story is suspiciously absent of details, but no more so than the ones he's gotten out of Dante, so he can't say he's surprised by that much. Still, his eyebrows rise at the description of the unexpected win.]

The first? That's certainly a stroke of luck—though I wonder if it was good or bad, if they couldn't even enjoy their prize.

[One of the Naga mutters to another: Actually, didn't I hear about that clock-head haunting the casino in Aldrip too? — Do you think clocks are just drawn to casinos? Altius's apparent good humor falters slightly with a vaguely annoyed tension to his gaze before he turns back to Rodya, the momentary change gone from his expression.]

They must have all appreciated your thoughtfulness, though—Miss...?

[axethrows]

If we tried to grab everything, we probably wouldn't make it out alive~ Most folks go crazy when money is flying everywhere. Can't blame them one bit. I get it.

[The casinos in J Corp are greatly rigged to begin with and the staff wouldn't let any big winners escape freely. Rodya looks towards the Naga that speaks and gives her a small shrug before looking back at the man in front of her.]

I'm part of a crazy bunch, but I like to think they did in their own ways. [She totally did not get appreciated enough back there. Being her own hype man is exhausting, but like she would show that openly.] Call me Rodya! Got a name I can match with your face, buddy?

[Could be real, could be fake, a name is a name and she still might give him a nickname.]

[chimericalclaw]

[The instinct to question and express concern over their safety is squashed fairly resolutely by his knowledge of what he knows of their City—after all, she'd just described it as dangerous, which he knew was already an understatement.

Instead he simply nods in reply and offers a hand to shake along with his name.]

Call me Altius, Ms. Rodya. A pleasure to meet you.

[As long as she doesn't call him "old man" like all the teenagers around here have apparently decided upon, he'll be just fine with it.]

Most people don't chat up the locals so casually when they first arrive. [Typically there's a lot more panicking and demands involved. But he says it as if he's a little impressed, a little curious.]

[axethrows]

[Handshakes aren't something she's used to since she's very informal and raised in the slums, but this guy seems alright so she will bite the bullet and give his hand a quick yet small shake before letting it go and pulling her arm back towards her.]

Nice to meet ya. Nothing is wrong with a little socializing, especially when you wake up in a random place.

[Let's not mention her dislike of snakes around the snake people, especially when they have been mostly kind and not-shady towards her. There is always a part of her that is on guard as a built-in precaution, but she's taking things in a chill stride.]

Could've been worse. Most folks that get taken when I am from don't exactly end up in a nice place like this. A nice change of pace~

[chimericalclaw]

[He looks around the relatively calm surroundings, Naga going about their daily business and enjoying their celebrations.]

I suppose it must seem nice here, if your city is as dangerous as I'm thinking. It is a more pleasant introduction than the cage I found myself in.

[He can't say he would have been pleased to find others in cages, but it certainly gave him a level of caution about this whole situation he's found to be appropriate.]