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

[decussate]

[ Vague, but sufficient. She'll have to take him at his word. She nods with an air of finality. ]

Good. Then that leaves the matter of whatever is binding us.

[ She joins him in looking at their wrists. Hmm. As tempting as it is to simply address the problem with brute force, she has to acknowledge that she doesn't yet know the rules of this world. As this boy is technically her senior, she may as well lean on his knowledge. ]

What do you know of this?

[laserguy]

[Straight to business, Scott can appreciate that. Especially right now, when he's still shaking off the last of the illusion that he just dealt with. It's really just him and the newcomer, no Professor. No one that he needs to directly confront yet. With one last exhale, he can feel a certain calm come to him-- along with a focus as he raises his wrist and tries to examine it for anything.

Hmm, he doesn't see any special marks.]

This is the first time this has happened to me, but it's also nothing too extraordinary when it comes to this world. [At least no one has transformed into a monster again.] I know that I ate one of those chocolate eggs that have been lying around the village. That would be my guess.

[So... does that mean they need to eat another egg to make this go away?]

[decussate]

[ "I ate one of those chocolate eggs that have been lying around" is such a dire sentence. There's a brief but significant silence in which Arlecchino impassively stares at Scott before looking away again. Unsupervised children...... ]

I believe you told me you've made no poor dietary choices. It seems we'll need to revisit that assertion sooner than we'd think.

[ Her tone is without bite, and yet... Well, either way she begins to walk, targeting some friendly Naga she recognizes at a distance. ]

Come along. Let us interrogate the locals.

[laserguy]

[That sure is a look he's receiving. And what-- hey!!!]

They're meant to be eaten! [Just a tad defensive if maybe slightly embarrassed.] That's part of this whole event they have going on right now-- you find the eggs lying around the ground and eat them.

[TOTALLY SUPPORTING HIS CASE HERE... nothing worrying about this at all. And Scott has no choice to follow her, legs moving so that he's not just tugged along by the invisible rope. He keeps pace, the teen looking at Arlecchino with that same defensiveness-- and not being pouty at all. Really.] You never went on an Easter egg hunt? This is basically the same thing.

[decussate]

[ Teens are prone to pouting and defensiveness. Arlecchino knows this, and so carries on without overly minding Scott's mood. She's on the tall side, even taller on her severe high heels, but her leisurely stride slows her enough that Scott shouldn't have much trouble keeping up with her. ]

As it so happens, I'm unfamiliar with these "Easter egg hunts." Do enlighten me.

[ She'll judge whether or not these hunts justify children ceremoniously eating floor food. ]

[laserguy]

[After a few more steps, he walks by her side, pace matching hers without a problem.]

Really never been on one? Wow, okay. [It's up to him once again to explain normal things to people. Give him a medal.]

I mean, they're usually for children. [Wait a second--] But this one's aimed for everyone. Basically you search around an area, in this case the whole town, looking for eggs. Usually there's chocolate or some kind of toy in there as a reward for finding them.

[This is a totally different side effect. Shouldn't be allowed at all.]

I never heard of an egg that ties people together. [But at the same time, Scott really doesn't sound surprised. This might as well be his life after all. Should've he been more careful? Maybe, but it was chocolate!] Perhaps that's the Naga's spinning their own tradition into this. Even though that should be saved for Halloween shit.

[decussate]

I see... An activity to hone the children's hunting skills.

[ Put that way, she doesn't dislike it. The children of the Hearth would enjoy such a game, though they would enjoy any excuse to play together. With the prizes properly curated, she could see it even being an excellent activity...

So it's the Naga specifically to blame. As if sensing something, the Naga Arlecchino was walking at begins to nervously slither away. ]

Hm. [ Coward. Anyway. ] Dare I ask about this "Halloween"?

[laserguy]

[Sure, they'll go with that. She's not technically wrong.]

Haven't even experienced Halloween? Okay, now it's officially sad. [Scott she probably just comes from a different world than you... a fact that he is aware of, but of course he still has to act like this while being maybe a little helpful. At least this is better than talking about all those hallucinations he's been having.

Avoiding that for sure.]

It's when kids go around the neighborhood dressed in costumes and knocking on doors and saying 'trick-or-treat' to get candy in return. [Or fruit, but that only happens with the worst houses that entirely misses the point.] But some people get really elaborate with Halloween and they try to scare them at the same time. It's fun.

[decussate]

Ah.

[ A mild but genuine sound of surprise. ]

We have a similar tradition in my homeland called the Fontinalia Festival. The children will instead say "trial or treat," but they will receive their due sweets. Though I suppose some traditionalists will insist on handing out pure water instead...

[ Her tone darkens slightly. Judging. But the feeling is quickly set aside, lightening. ]

It's quite the delightful custom. Children can be so easily pleased.

[laserguy]

[Oh good, so she isn't entirely unfamiliar with this sort of thing. He's never heard of that festival before, but it's definitely close enough. Less explaining on his end, which is always nice. Kind of interesting how some traditions span across different worlds, even if they're called something else.

Guess the galaxy can be kind of neat like that.]

Don't tell me that you're one of those that give out water during that time.

[Is he judging? Maybe just a little.] Where are you from anyway? I'm from Earth.

[decussate]

[ A small scoff. ]

Even if I were inclined to give out water, I would hardly dare. Disappointed children easily become vengeful children. I try not to invite chicanery onto my doorstep.

[ But mostly, she'd just prefer to see the children happy... ]

I am from Teyvat. I don't know of any place called Earth, but it would seem that Chosen hail from many different worlds, yes?