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test drive meme
Hello, and welcome to Vella's TDM! As a reminder, this game is invite-only and open to anyone on the mods' timelines: Cocoamplitude , Avery
- A Mysterious Gift
Good morning! Today’s shaping up to be a bright, sunny day on the island. The weather is balmy but not too hot, and there’s a gentle, cool breeze. It’s as idyllic and perfect as you could want… but there seems to be something being carried by the wind. It won’t take you long to notice because it’s so out of place - it’s bright and colorful and definitely not something normal. It’s a balloon floating towards the island at a leisurely pace, and hanging from the balloon is what looks to be a… wrapped present? It’s a white box with a red ribbon, and it doesn’t seem to be weighing down the balloon at all. How odd...
If you happen to be armed with a slingshot, you can use it to pop the balloon. When the balloon is popped, the present will fall to the ground - but be careful where you’re shooting! There’s a river running through the island, and your gift could easily end up swept away if it falls just above the water… And if you don’t have a slingshot, feel free to get creative! Or you can make one and be ready for the next mysterious package - because there will be one just a few minutes later, drifting along.
Should you choose to unwrap the present, one of two things will happen: Maybe you'll get something small in size but no less valuable: a shiny, pristine crown that looks like it might cost a fortune. Whether or not you take care of it is up to you, but hey, you run this island now! (Not really.) Alternatively, you might get a very large red double sofa; when you unwrap the present, it suddenly springs out and lands with a loud thunk onto the ground. Pray that it doesn't smash your toes! How something so big squeezed inside a box so small is a mystery, but hey...congrats?
Gotta Catch 'em All (cw: Scorpions)
The island has tons of natural resources. There are the apple fruit trees dotted around the island and plenty of flowers that you can see up on the cliffs, but beyond that are the rivers threading through the island and the beaches themselves. They seem to be filled to bursting with fish - you can see their dark shadows in the water clear as day, and the fish seem to come in a variety of sizes. Make yourself a fishing pole and go for it! The fish are not only good for cooking and eating, but you can also sell them off for bells. Or keep them as pets, that’s fine too.
But if you’re not a fan of fishing, there’s still plenty to catch. The island is also completely filled with… Well. Bugs. The island is filled with bugs. Butterflies flutter around, and you can get some bells for selling them off...and don't count out the dragonflies, grasshoppers, and mantises, either! You'll need a bug net to nab these critters, but once they're yours, you're free to do what you'd like with them.
When it gets dark, though, be careful! That’s when scorpions come out, and they’re known for their sting. They're far and few between, but when you find them, try not to panic. If you don't have your net out, they'll leave you alone and stay at the edges of your general vicinity. If you bring your net out, though, they'll raise their legs and shake their tails defensively at you. Get too close too fast, and they'll chase after you. They're fast.
Henry's Quest
Henry the frog has been living on the island with you, and today he has a request! He wants to make some hedges to put around his house (or maybe he just wants to tidy up the island), and for that he needs weeds. Twenty of them, in fact. More is fine, but less is just unacceptable. If you choose to accept the task, he’ll give you a reward for helping him: ten iron nuggets! It’s all he has though, so whether you choose to do this solo or with some friends, you’re only getting ten iron nuggets total. Still, while it’s not exactly a rare resource, it’s certainly a limited one, so you may find the reward enticing. Or perhaps you just want to help him out of sheer kindness. Whatever the reason may be, it’s time to get to work.
The island has plenty of weeds, so it shouldn’t be too hard to pick the ones you need. If someone happens to be plucking in the same spot as you, maybe you can work together! After all, more hands means more weeding, which means you can all make Henry happy even faster.
For those who are less teamwork-oriented, you’re free to do this solo, but where’s the fun in that? … Ah, you’re thinking of hogging all of the nuggets for yourself, aren’t you? Well in that case, maybe you should consider sabotaging the competition...though do you really want to draw the ire of the people you’ll be spending at least the next few weeks with?
(OOC Note: We will not be NPCing Henry on this TDM.)
Winding Down
Another day at the island has come and gone. The night sky is clear and the stars are out -- the perfect way to wind down after a day’s worth of hard work. Someone - maybe you! - has built a campfire on the beach, and it’s as good a time as any to get to know the people you’re living with. You’re stuck here, after all.
Sit around, chat, maybe tell some spooky (or not so spooky) stories. Enjoy yourself! You’ve got many more days ahead of you, but for tonight you can just rest and enjoy the peace of the island you now get to call home.
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...Well, she does suppose that it is a quest. A request, but still one. Even so, Deirdre finds herself smiling none the less, gesturing for him to join her in the weed patch.]
I have, yes. Henry must need quite a few of these hedges if he is asking so many of us for help...
[Though, at the question...Deirdre tilts her head a bit.]
...I am well versed in gathering, if that is what you're asking. I usually do not bother with weeds. [She's not insulted, just kind of ????? But it's fine, probably.] Are you unfamiliar with such a thing?
[...Honey.]
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[...maybe don't sound so proud of that, faris...]
I am Prince Faris of the sultanate of Gallopolis! Our grand city is located in the desert, so I have not been given tasks quite like this before.
[Thankfully, he's already got the rundown that no one is going to recognize who he is or even Gallopolis, which is honestly great as far as he's concerned. He moves to join Deirdre easily, and though he's definitely very unaccustomed to this (pulling weeds is harder than he assumed!!) he goes at it with entirely too much exuberance.]
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Deirdre finds herself smiling, hiding it behind her hand a little as he comes to join her. He's...certainly enthusiastic, to say the least--]
Pleasure to meet you, Prince Faris. You are doing very good, for someone with no prior experience.
[Look at him go!! Deirdre's rather used to the pulling herself, even if she's not quite going at it as fast as Faris is. When you're strength stat is this low you gotta go slow, okay!!]
The desert...I have heard of it in stories. But I have never journeyed far outside of the forest. [Deirdre tilts her head a bit.] Will you tell me about where you come from? I am curious. It must be a beautiful place.
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[It's partially genuinely modest, and partially a show because that's more or less exactly what he's always done. There is something genuinely nice about being able to do something so simple, though.
He pauses and sits back a bit as he considers Deidre's words.]
Erdrea is a land full of many different terrains. Gallopolis is in the desert, but the other kingdoms exist in entirely different environments. I've heard that Sniflheim is so cold that it is always snowing! But I have not been there, so I don't know if there is any truth to such stories.
[Oh, right, the point—]
The desert is a harsh and unforgiving place. Even just outside the city there are monsters to worry about and traversing the sands is not easy. To the north of us are the Celestial Sands, where a... t-terrifying monster is said to roam.
[R-Right, he really doesn't want to think about that right now, so moving on!!]
Despite these hardships, Gallopolis has flourished under my family's rule. My father is the greatest sultan we have ever had! [...that's just his opinion.] It is my hope - and duty! - to follow in his footsteps and continue to provide for my fellow Gallopolitans.
[...Did that actually explain anything. Regardless, he seems very passionate about it.]
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Even if Faris definitely goes off on a few tangents (some more concerning than others), Deirdre listens very intently to all of that--she's always been a sponge for knowledge, and this is no different.]
So long as you remain steadfast...as long as you never lose sight of that, I am sure that you will grow to be a fine sultan. That is what I believe.
[It doesn't explain much, but Deirdre seems determined when she says that. Like she believes it entirely, because there's nothing else telling her otherwise!! King Gallopolis must be a good dude if Faris has turned out like this, after all.]
I can sympathize with your plight...with monsters. The Spirit Forest's animals can be rather...difficult, to deal with when they attempt to come into our town. But to deal with such a fearsome creature elsewhere as well...I can sympathize.
[...On one hand, Deirdre wants to ask about. Because she is nothing if not curious. On the other hand, she doesn't want to bring the mood down. She has enough tact for that much, and she'd rather not talk about the Loptous Sect.]
Please, tell me more of Gallopolis. It's people must live wonderful lives, yes?
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[It's the sort of reassurance that he's heard hundreds of times before, but it's different when it's coming from someone who doesn't know him at all and has no reason to tell him exactly what he wants to hear. The rest of it gets a nod, and Faris pauses like he's tempted to ask - the Spirit Forest does sound like an interesting place, after all - but ultimately Deirdre gets there first and Faris nods.]
Indeed! Why, just recently we held this year's Sand National - the greatest horse racing event in all Erdrea! As it was the year of my coming of age, I participated as well.
[...kiiiinda. Anyway!!]
My people are very fond of these races and the parties that come afterwards. My father certainly does know how to gather our people together! Ah, but we are not the only ones who are capable of holding a crowd; there is a circus in town currently as well, and they have an exceptionally talented man called The Great Sylvando. I have little interest in such things, [that's debatable] but his act truly was impressive.
While our surroundings may be harsh, Gallopolis is a jewel in the desert, and travelers do come through every so often despite the danger! That's how I met my... friends.
[Sure, that's one description for them.]
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That is...incredible. I have only heard of festivals and the like in stories. And I have never heard of a circus before. Such grand parties never happen, where I come from. But to know that the people enjoy them, and that your father can gather so many people to take part...
I imagine that it must have been wonderful, for you. A grand way to celebrate your coming of age.
[Deirdre's smile is soft, almost envious in a way.]
Please, will you tell me more? About these friends--they must be strong ones, to come all that way. Or perhaps about this circus, as well.
[i am so sorry that this is nothing but five million questions DEIRDRE HONESTLY LOOKS IN BORDERLINE AWE? Like. Very, very subdued awe, because she's not great at expressing it, but there's definitely a spark in her eyes of interest and intrigue.]
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[Faris trails off there, expression shifting a bit like he can't quite decide how to feel about that before he suddenly laughs.]
Yes, of course! It was a grand festival befitting of my coming of age! I am the only prince of Gallopolis, and my father went all out with the celebration!
[There's way more to it than that, but he certainly does seem to be trying to be sincere about it. Anyway!!]
Allow me to start with the circus. I'm a bit surprised you haven't experienced celebrations like this, but it was my mistake to assume that you were familiar with the circus! It is a rather over-the-top display of acrobatics and feats; sometimes they involve sleight of hand - something that looks like magic, but is not - and other times they involve animals. Taming lions, and such. Feats that seem impossible, but are performed in such a way that they look easy and grand! The Great Sylvando put on a show with juggling knives and breathing fire, all without injury to himself or anyone else.
These shows are a bit childish, I must admit. They are impressive displays, of course, but typically children prefer them.
[...he's sixteen, which explains everything you need to know about faris tbh.]
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Well, I guess we're moving on. Either way, Deirdre listens with rapt attention as usual, though her eyes go wide with surprise as Faris describes the circus. That's...]
That is--that is incredible...! [Like, where does she even begin???] To see such impossible feats performed...ah, what I would not give to be years younger. Or perhaps even to see such acts at my age. They sound truly awe inspiring. Taming such vicious creatures, performing such tricks...ah, to even see such dangerous things performed.
I do not think there is anything wrong, with finding awe in such things.
[live a little, boy!! she's only like, a year older and this sounds so cool!!]
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Well, I suppose there is no harm in finding wonder in such things, particularly if one has not seen them before. I don't have the skills required to recreate any such acts, but perhaps I can bring you to Gallopolis when all of this is over, at least for long enough for you to see the show.
[Though going home is kind of a difficult subject... Well, it'll be fine!! Surely there's no reason to worry about any of that now, anyway. And it might not even be possible to travel to other worlds or whatever, and maybe they can't even return home to begin with. So it's fine!!]
Ah, but I have spoken far too much about myself and Gallopolis! [Not that it's really a problem, but!] Please, tell me about the place you come from.
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Ah--perhaps...perhaps if that is possible, I...would not mind.
[Deirdre...honestly sounds both kind of struck and kind of conflicted about that. She's not very good at hiding what she feels, but she finds herself looking away, a bit sheepish. It had already been bad enough that she went into town, and she met that blue haired man she can't get out of her mind--
Oh. She wasn't expecting the spotlight to be back on her, but...well...]
...There is not much to speak of, about the place that I come from. It is not out of bitterness, [well, not entirely] but...the Spirit Forest is a small village, that is rather isolated from human contact. The people who live there have most always lived there for the entirety of their lives. We do not have much, outside of what we can gather in the forest itself, or on occasion, in the city closest to us.
And...we are usually forbidden from leaving the forest, outside of that.
[Deirdre's calm the entire time she speaks, but her look's gone downward. The weeds are very interesting, you see. There's a lot she's leaving out, but that should give Faris a basic idea.]
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Anyway, Deirdre moves on and Faris is silently thankful for it.]
Truly? So you are forced to remain within the confines of the forest, with very little outside contact?
[No wonder she's so fascinated by the things he takes for granted. Although to be fair, he's pretty fascinated by the idea of forests as well, so at least that much he gets.]
What of the forest itself? I have heard that there are a great many animals and plants there - far more than are present in the desert!
[Is... is this a more acceptable topic...??]
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Though, when Faris asks about the forest itself--well, Deirdre's look goes back up to him all too easily, something bright in her gaze as she starts to speak up again with confidence.]
Yes. Yes, there are a great many of them--I have seen a great many of them throughout my life. Whether it's the birds that come to greet me every morning, or the squirrels who go about their days near my house...oh, there's even deer that sometimes come by. They're incredibly skittish, however, and most typically run at the first sign of trouble. But they're very lovely creatures.
And plant-life...there are many different kinds of plants in the forest. Some are quite helpful, like mushrooms and berries, but there are some that can be quite poisonous. You have to be careful, and know just what you are dealing with before handling them...but the ones that can be handled are delicious, like blackberries and raspberries.
I could truly go on all day, about such things. [Deirdre laughs a little bit, though she seems more delighted than anything.] Is there anything you would like to know more about?
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[Because the desert is hot and gross and it sucks, tbh.]
It all sounds incredible, truly. Do you prefer being out in the forest instead of being in your village?
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[Deirdre would have figured that he'd know a little bit, but he moves on pretty quickly to the next question--Deirdre is happy to move on in kind, nodding her head all too easily.]
Sometimes I do. I find that the company of the animals, and the quiet of the forest...they speak to me far more. It is there that I feel most at home, and even at peace, but...
Not all the time. [Deirdre's smile goes soft, serene.] I find that being in the company of the right people...it brings me joy.
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Tell me about them - the people who are very important to you.
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I have a few friends in the village, as well as my adoptive grandmother. They are all so very kind to me. They tend to look out for me, and make sure that I do not get into too much trouble.
[...]
There is also a man who helped me, who is very dear to me. Lord Sigurd...he was able to stop a bandit who had been attempting to harass me. He was every bit as kind as the people of Marpha said he was.
He is very dear to me.
[let's just ignore the fact she's met him once and she's talking like she's know him her whole life, it's fiiiine]
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Ah, Lord Sigurd does sound like quite the upstanding man! Is he a knight?
[He absolutely sounds like a knight, and you know what Faris is here for? Knights. They're so cool.......]
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He is. He is one of the knights of Grannvale; they are dedicated to the people, fighting for their justice and freedom. Their fighters are said to be some of the strongest people in the land, and the most devoted as well...
[though it's mostly their access to horses. almost everyone gets a horse in genealogy of the holy war, and if you're names not lewyn, you suck because you don't have one]
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How wonderful! While I doubt they have the same Knight's Pledge we do, they sound very similar to some of the greatest knights Erdrea has ever seen! My dream is to one day follow Sir Hendrik's guidance...
Lord Sigurd sounds like just as much of a noble hero! Is Grannvale the kingdom he serves?
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It is, yes. Grannvale is a large kingdom that has heavy dominion over a sizable portion of Jugdral. Enough so that it has several duchies within it as well.
[Ah, but--]
Will you tell me about Sir Hendrik? He is one of the great knights of Erdrea, yes?
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Of course! He is called "the Hero of Heliodor" and I can imagine no title more fitting! He is a knight of Heliodor - one of the other kingdoms - and it is his duty to guard the king. It is said that during the fall of Dundrasil over a decade ago, Sir Hendrik was able to get the king out of there safely! His heroics are known throughout Erdrea and many knight wishes they could be just like him! He is said to be stern and steadfast, embodying all the ideals of knighthood and everything the Pledge states.
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What a guy, that Hendrik.]
He sounds like an incredible man. I can see why he is an inspiration to all. His heroics are incredible, and I'm certain that any knight from Jugdral would be just as inspired by his actions...what a brave, brave man.
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[...he will actually get to meet hendrik! for like five minutes.]
Ah, but please, tell me more about Lord Sigurd! You said he saved you from a bandit?