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Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] countryclub2022-04-27 07:28 pm
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APRIL 2022 TEST DRIVE MEME

APRIL 2022 TEST DRIVE MEME
Another month, another test drive meme! Our test drive memes are open to anyone interested - regardless of whether or not you join our game!

All Test Drive Memes are game canon. Players can choose to keep their TDM threads canon or not. TDM threads can be used for AC and can be used as your writing sample for your application.

Our TDMs serve as a way to build into the actual lore and worldbuilding of Deer Country and we strongly encourage everyone to enjoy and participate! Current players are always welcome to pull prompts from the TDM to reference on the Network or bring into logs as well as tag out to new characters top-leveling on the TDM itself.

Characters will always be able to actively die during TDMs as this is an extremely dangerous world. You can still have this be game canon! Check out how character death in Deer Country works here.

If you have any questions about the TDM, please ask down below!

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: Delicious, Gelatinous Fruit Treats]
[Image Two: Women in white dancing around a May Pole (Animated)]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A woman turning away from a mirror. ]
[Image Two: A woman trapped inside a mirror with disembodied hands grabbing at her. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A Forked Trail on a Wooded Path]
[Image Two: The Grim Reaper at the end of a sewer tunnel]

A MOSTLY PLEASANT ARRIVAL
WHEN: May
WHERE: The Farther Shores/The Boardwalk
CONTENT WARNINGS: Forced honesty, personality changes, physical changes.


Congratulations, sleeper! You're one of the lucky ones to arrive in a month that is not awful to come ashore. The transformational process is almost alarmingly quick and painless. In fact, it is so quick that it is deceptively easy to change back into a squid and do it all over again! Partial transformations are not uncommon during this month for the first twenty-four hours after arriving, and even brief transformations of minor facial features like hair color, eye color, height, weight and a few more extreme possibilities have been known to happen. Don't worry, because the transformations are all temporary and none are inherently monstrous (Unless you already are a monster, in which case good luck with that!). Greeters are present in force to help accommodate you as you make your way, your welcome backpack and items all freshly and neatly cleaned and ready for you as they put the robe on. Everything is so welcoming and inviting that it almost seems like they're having a party.

This is, in fact, because they are. The Wild Moon is about and festivities are in full swing throughout the month of Bauphomette. May poles are set up and it is possible to dance around one if you should wish. Doing so can help to ground oneself in their current form, which may help new arrivals settle in a bit better. Even ignoring that, it feels good to sing and dance, and everyone is very friendly. Even the usually grim Hunters who guard the roads and entries to the shores seem to have less stern smiles on their faces, though their eyes are ever watchful to keep the peace of the festivities.

SEASONAL DETAILS ON THE BOARDWALK

Decorations this month are decidedly floral in nature. Everyone is dressed in white, regardless of their usual preferences. Flowers adorn many of the people of Trench and the weather throughout the first week of May is pleasant. Even if it rains, it is a refreshing, light and pleasant rain, and there are many awnings and umbrellas to take shelter underneath.

And of course, there's refreshments. What festival in Trench would be without them? The foods this month have a very floral theme to them. Edible flowers have been grown and prepared especially for this time of year. They've been used to help create infused and gelatinous sweets, Floral spring rolls and edible flower cookies and the like, along with floral teas that are meant to calm the mind. Additionally, the people of Trench will note that any of the foods present can have a beneficial, albeit transformative effect on the mind and body. They promise it won't last long, but if you're really concerned there is hard tack and water available that's quite filling.

Changes from Food will last a few hours at most. There are several options available among the drinks and foods. These may be combined as the player sees fit. Drinks have mental effects, while Treats have physical ones, the Trenchies will inform:

Pomegranate Juice: Sweet and tart, anyone who drinks it or has some of the fresh pomegranate and seeds will feel compelled to speak nothing but the truth. Pomegranates are found littering makeshift shrines to Bauphomette throughout the party, and Trenchies insist they are free to take.
Petal Infused Hot Tea: Pungent and aromatic, it is relaxing. The heat gives a warmth and vibrancy that fills a person with confidence, to the point of arrogance and fearlessness, leading the emboldened to try something that they might not otherwise do, even if it's very risky!
Floral Iced Tea: While refreshing, it feels like there's something just a little lacking, and anyone who drinks some will feel that they need more but not what they need more of at first, making them clingy and affectionate towards other people, especially strangers.
Iced Water: It's not the tastiest, but has a way of washing things away. Water can cleanse and remove the effects of other drinks, though it leaves the person feeling emotionally drained if it is used this way.

Floral Spring Rolls: Trying one of these surprisingly edible treats will have the added effect of giving a person plant traits temporarily. Hair may convert into tresses of ivy or carefully manicured moss, or perhaps a mushroom cap! Skin might become bark-like or chlorophyl green. The more that one eats, the more that they change.
Gelatinous Sweets: These curiosities come with a note. “Have you ever wondered what it is like to walk in someone's shoes?” Eating one has a profound physical effect, causing a person's appearance to transform into that of another person in Trench! It may not even be someone they've met, or seen yet! It would be awkward to meet someone, not looking the way you're supposed to, or worse? Looking like them!
Edible Flower Cookies: They come with lovely notes saying “Eat Me!” What could be sweeter? Well, like something out of Alice and Wonderland, eating one can cause a person to grow or shrink by a foot. More cookies can cause the height difference to become worse and worse, though if you're only a foot tall, it's a good way to end up an inch tall! So, maybe eating more to fix the problem is risky.
Hard Tack: Like the water, it can fill the stomach and remove prematurely any physical effects, though if it does so, removing a physical change physically drains the character.

A DIM REFLECTION
WHEN: May
WHERE: Throughout Trench
CONTENT WARNINGS: Paranoia, existential dread, hallucinations, possession-related horror.


They warned you about mirrors. Every once in a while, one of the locals in Trench might have whispered it, made a sign of warding when they passed by mirrors, but nothing seemed out of place. They told you that you might see yourself in it, and you would never be the same. However, every time you've looked it's been fine. So, maybe they were being superstitious about something? It certainly wouldn't have been the first time someone had gotten paranoid about nothing in Trench, would it?

How wrong you were. Maybe it was when you were looking down at a puddle rippling in a light breeze. It might have been a formerly polished piece of bronze covered in tarnish that adorned a building. Perhaps it was that lovely bit of obsidian in the shop where you caught your reflection garbled by the shape. It happens only when a reflection is seen in a distorted surface, especially those that are naturally occurring, though occasionally damaged and weathered surfaces that were polished will work. When you were looking at the image, it seemed to look back at you and something was wrong, distorted, imperfect. By then it was too late.

The natives were right. You saw some part of yourself there in the mirror. It might be something that you've hidden from others for a long time, or it might be an exaggeration of a single part of yourself that you aren't proud about. What it is, is a distorted and incomplete part of yourself, something that you try to keep controlled and in check, and it was there, smiling at you and winking. The moment it winked, it was like you were riding in your own skin, watching and unable to act as you changed into a self that reflected that distorted, unnatural and incomplete side of yourself. What shadows do you hide from yourself?

This effect lasts for, at most, one solar cycle. From the rising of the sun to its setting, or the moon to its setting, the effect can last no longer than that. Especially strong-willed people, particularly palebloods, can end this effect sooner through force of will, though it usually lasts at minimum an hour. The character is, for the duration of this effect, changed in personality to behave in accordance with some singular aspect (of the player's choice) of their personality that they do not usually focus on in their day to day behavior. This change can be subtle, or it can be drastic and even dangerous. Its goal is to make sure that everyone sees and witnesses this change, and goes out of its way to impact others in a memorable fact, making sure that they see there is more to the character than what they are revealing. This could be relatively innocuous or extremely dangerous, depending on the person, and the whole while the dominant personality is riding inside their skin, forced to watch what is happening.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
WHEN: May
WHERE: Dream worlds
CONTENT WARNINGS: Existential dread, disturbing visions


It happens when you are asleep one night. There is no warning for this effect, and it comes without apparent cause. One night, you go to sleep, and then suddenly you find yourself in a dreamscape, on a path. You can sense eyes on you the whole time that you are present in this field, and though they have a sense of benevolence to them, there is a deeply alien element to the experiment, almost like you are being observed by a scientist through a microscope. You are not alone on the path, either. One, or possibly more than one, other people that you may know or not know, they seem to have entered the same dreamscape. Behind you is nothing but shadow, and before you is a path. Might as well get going if you want to wake up, right? That's how these things work.

Introductions and questions aside, there's nothing but the path and dense, impenetrable woods on both sides, so eventually you and your companion start walking. As you do, shortly you see a branch in the path ahead of you. The fork has two paths, one of which shows the traffic of many feet, footprints grooved well into the worn cobblestones and mud. One of you will somehow recognize that the footprints are their own, and will notice that the other path has no footprints or very few. That is when the compulsion hits. It is inexorable and impossible to deny, the curiosity to see what is down the path that those footprints do not travel.

Travel, walk and taking that path, you will be treated to a vision. It is a moment in the dreamer's life, where they see something that happened in their life, which involved a choice. Did they go left or right? Did they say yes, or no? A choice they made, even one that seemed immaterial at the time, had some profound effect, and now you and they watch as the other choice was taken. And, within the hour, you will see the results, to your horror. Something terrible will happen to them. It could be anything, but it will be life-shattering, perspective altering and ghastly. They might even die from the experience or see a loved one die. The horror of it will still be in your hearts as you stand there for a moment, trapped in the sight of the aftermath, trying to come to terms with what you have just seen, and just at this moment, after a few parting words are said, both will wake up in a cold sweat.

The event that plays out can be from either character. Close CR is not required. Bauphomette has summoned the characters into the dream directly, and is sharing a distorted mirror of an opposite choice that could have been made. Actual “What if” canon events such as alternate timelines in Supernatural could be used for this, or the entire event can be concocted for this scene. The characters themselves are witnesses, and cannot be personally harmed in any physical way, but the horrific ending for the 'vision' version of the one whose dream this can be as awful as desired and take any form wished so long as it is unpleasant. Please be aware and mindful of each other's Content Warning Preferences in setting these scenes up.

CODING
luminaryofbelief: (let me play)

[personal profile] luminaryofbelief 2022-05-02 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
If you think like that, then sure, we'll definitely find something along those lines. But, you gotta think positive! If all you ever look for is bad things, then that's all you're gonna see! Y'gotta keep reachin' for the stars even when you can't see 'em!

[Kaito shakes his head.]

I don't know anything about magic games, but I know what happens when people give in to despair! And I'm not gonna be one of 'em!
checkmater: (I'll be gone again)

1/2

[personal profile] checkmater 2022-05-02 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Battler's almost knocked off guard. Either this guy has some strong optimism and he's been through a lot, or he's a naïve moron.

Either way, definitely not the worst person to get trapped in this situation with. Beato would probably be exhausted already.]


Ihihihi! You've got some strong optimism, huh? I like it! [It's an odd reflection of himself in the first game...] Let's hope for something good, then! Maybe if we're lucky, this'll be some kind of portal to an island of busty nee-chans!!! That's something to hope for!

[No, Battler. But he's gotten himself hyped up. He keeps moving forward, and...]
checkmater: (Keep on fooling yourself)

2/2

[personal profile] checkmater 2022-05-02 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
[They're suddenly in the middle of...a school? Battler blinks.]

Where's the nee-chans? Oi, oi, I thought you said if we hoped enough, something good would happen? This place looks dark and gloomy. What gives?

[He is pretty sure he hoped pretty hard for the nee-chans. Finally, the jokey exterior fades away.]

Is this place familiar to you? I've got no idea where we are.
luminaryofbelief: (all i worship and adore)

[personal profile] luminaryofbelief 2022-05-02 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
[He'd almost remarked that it wasn't just optimism, but...

They weren't on a road anymore. In fact, they were in very familiar surroundings. Kaito blinked at the walls he never thought he'd see again. But, very quickly, he remembered other things he thought he'd never see again.]


Shuichi! Maki!

[His feet were in front of him before he even realized he was running.]
checkmater: (I want you and only you now)

[personal profile] checkmater 2022-05-02 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
[So, that was very quick confirmation that his companion was very aware as to where this was. Because he just went charging off.]

Hey, wait--!! Don't leave me behind!!! OI, OI!!!

[Searching around the school would prove fruitless until...

Battler was the first to come across all of them. A group of people around his age, dressed all in odd clothing - a few of them in particular stood out. A boy wearing a black cap. A girl with blonde hair in a pink sweatervest. A short, purple-haired boy with a checkered bandanna. He cleared his throat, stepping into the group.]


Yo.

[Kokichi, of course, was the first to notice - "...And just who are you? Have you been here the whole time? Where's Kaito?"

Battler easily put on a smile.]


Why are you asking so many questions? Who is the owner of this sassy lost child?

[Cue Battler being kicked in the shin. "I'm the Ultimate Supreme Leader, you tomato-haired jackass! Who! Are! You!"

Another small pause. And then he introduced himself in a way that would amuse only himself - pointing forward dramatically, just as Kaito showed up.]


Hi, pleased to meet you! I am Ushiromiya Battler, the Ultimate Affluent Progeny! I may be an uninvited guest, but please, welcome me!! I am the visitor, the 17th student in this academy!

[Absolutely no one else could see it, but the words Battler spoke appeared in front of him, written in blue kanji. When this went unchallenged, the words seemed to fade, and then he hummed to himself. Finally, he glanced back.]

Aaah, Kaito. You're late.

[And he's so casual about it.]
luminaryofbelief: (let me see what spring is like)

[personal profile] luminaryofbelief 2022-05-02 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
[It took him awhile, but...

There they all were. All of them. Not just Maki and Shuichi. Not just Kiibo and Himiko and Tsumugi. Every single one of them. Kaito looked a little flabbergasted, caught somewhere between disbelief, a small strike of fear that they were haunting him or something, and hope that everything somehow was okay.

But, he couldn't remain quiet forever. Kaito rubbed the back of his neck, sighing as he regained his composure.]


Uh, yea, sorry... Got kinda lost. Place is huge, y'know?

[Was this... before everything...?]
checkmater: (Oh it hurts oh how it hurts)

[personal profile] checkmater 2022-05-02 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
You should've followed me. Tch. That's what happens when you run off!

[And no, there wasn't every single one of them. One person was missing - one that Battler had picked up on the name of before he'd made his presence apparent to the group, though little whispers and talking.

Rantaro Amami.

They were standing in front of the elevator. This was before the first trial. The elevator door opened, and they all began to file in.

"Well, whatever." Kokichi said, shrugging. "At least you both made it at all." And then he got onto the elevator.

Battler shrugged, filing on as well.]


C'mon, c'mon. We won't get--....where are we going again? I forgot.
luminaryofbelief: (and let me sing forever more)

[personal profile] luminaryofbelief 2022-05-02 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Rantaro... The elevator... Shit. It was the trial. His eyes flickered over to where Kaede and Shuichi were.

He had to do something! He couldn't let this all play out the same!

Kaito leaned over to Battler and spoke in a hushed voice.]


It's a trial... They're tryin' to figure out who killed Rantaro. But... I already know who we convicted, the first time. But I can't play along again and let the Mastermind win! You're, like, a detective, right? Can you help?
checkmater: (into something more a pleasure)

[personal profile] checkmater 2022-05-02 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Battler blinked, his voice lowered.]

I...yeah. I can try. So it's finding out a culprit, huh... [He might not be a detective, exactly, but if he were in this game he could possibly invoke the laws of a normal game. It's less good than a normal game, because he can't just prove that it wasn't done by magic. He has to let onto who did it. Mmm.] This is your dreamscape, though, so you may have to back me up. We're a team in this.

[Once the elevator arrived, the trial room was soon in front of them. Awkwardly, as if the world itself had adjusted to fit Battler into it, there were now 17 podiums instead of 16 - one of them awkwardly placed inbetween Kaito and Shuichi.]

Ne. Sorry, Hat-sa...what was your name again? [He asked, glancing to Shuichi.

"...Saihara Shuichi. Ultimate Detective. You're the...Ultimate Affluent Progeny?"]


Mhm. Yup. I know what that means.

[He did not, but his eyes lit up at the mention of his Ultimate title.]

Alright, Saihara-san. You, me, and my new friend over here will be at the center of this. You're the detective, so you have the most authority in this case. Got it?

["I--I don't know if I--"]

Detective role is crucial. Knox's 7th: It is forbidden for the detective to be the culprit. You're our innocent. Sorry about the crowded space, was my original intention though.

["Just because he's a detective, you think he's innocent?" Kokichi had butted his way into the conversation. Battler pushed him aside as they began to walk out.]

He has the Detective's Authority, pipsqueak. That's enough.