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Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] countryclub2022-07-25 10:37 pm
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July Test Drive Meme!

JULY 2022 TDM
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: Colorful paper lanterns shaped like jellyfish lit up and hovering in the air. ]
[Image Two: A person with long hair wearing a crown dedicated with shells and rocks. ]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A GIF of waves breaking roughly out in the middle of the ocean. ]
[Image Two: Strong waves crashing into a lighthouse and rocks. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A large Ningen (a sea creature that is half human, half monster, and has no face except for a large slit for a mouth) towering over a deep sea diver. ]
[Image Two: A person standing out on the rocks with their arms out stretched as the tentacles of a large sea monster wave in the air above the ocean. ]

STANDARD ARRIVAL
WHEN: August
WHERE: The Farther Shores/The Boardwalk
CONTENT WARNINGS: N/A


You're one of the lucky ones. Your journey is smooth sailing and you wind up exactly where you're supposed to: on the Farther Shores. You grow out of your squid body without a hitch, either with the help of another Sleeper or one of the Wakers, and you get to discover this new world. All new Sleepers might take some time to find their bearings. It might be tricky to remember how to use your body parts the way you're supposed to. You might stumble around the beach or forget how to talk - but don't worry! It'll come back to you sooner or later.

Hopefully, you've found something to wear, either in your Welcoming Bag or otherwise, and can start familiarizing yourself with your surroundings. Maybe you help some other squids out on the beach. Waking up sucks! You feel for the little guys. And hey, maybe you're hoping one of those squids is a good friend...Stranger things have happened.

SEASONAL DETAILS ON THE BOARDWALK

This month has an entire festival dedicated to Mariana. The people of Trench seem to be quite enamoured with her, despite her often cruel and unpredictable behaviors. The festival has gone all out with decorations. The boardwalk will be lined with lanterns in the shape of various sea creatures, such as jellyfish, dolphins, seahorses, and (of course) squids! These lanterns will be lit every night throughout the month and will burn through the night. They are bright beacons to a month that is otherwise becoming more and more gray and chilly as time passes.

The people of Trench are also decked out for the occasion. Blues and greens are the popular color choices for outfits, and many people will even decorate their hair with pieces from the ocean. Whether it's with full headpieces that are worthy enough for mermaids or just something as simple as weaving shells into a braid, everyone seems to have something on them that ties them to the sea. There are stalls set up to help newcomers (or oldies who just want to have some fun) decorate their hair as well and face paint for those who want to go the extra mile.

The festival comes with all sorts of celebrations that can be partaken in at absolutely no cost. There are food vendors, though they seem to be short on seafood this month. Likely it's due to the rough seas with waves so treacherous that not even the most skilled of sailors seems to be able to get out into them. They'll remark on how difficult is must have been to swim to shore in those awful waves. So instead of fish and shrimp, there are other sea-dedicated dishes: seaweed salad, noodle dishes made with seaweed broth, caramelized chicken in a fish and ginger sauce, etc. There are also ocean themed desserts, such as cupcakes with blue frosting shaped to look like a great wave. There are games such as dunk tanks, dart balloons, ring tosses, and other typical carnival entertainment. If you can think of it, it's probably there. At the end of the night, there's often a fireworks display over the rolling waves.

rough seas and high winds
WHEN: Last Week of July, First Week of AugustT
WHERE: Beach and Nearby Oceans
CONTENT WARNINGS: Threat of drowning, severe weather phenomena, Environmental hazards, possible death


For some reason, Mariana is particularly wrathful even as the month begins. Even leaking into the end of the month of July, the sea begins to foam and rage in ways that are almost impossible to imagine. As you stare out int the beachheads, you may see vast waves and surf that would daunt the most professional of surfers. Water crashes into each other in colossal spouts. Waterspouts can be seen as storms occasionally buffet the coastline and just out into the ocean itself. However, the one thing about this chaotic energy is that it is just that, chaotic. One moment the sea may be calm, and the next it is a roiling, seething force out to destroy everyone.

This is, naturally, dangerous for those who are just hapless squids trying to reach shore. They may find themselves inexorably being flung towards sharp rocks and shoals, threatened with being dashed upon the stone near to the coast, or they may find themselves constantly swirling in eddies and whirlpools to the point of near exhaustion. However, they are not the only ones so threatened. Even those on the coast are in near constant danger of being washed right back out to see by an unexpected wave and sudden rip-tide. There are wood planks and other detritus to grab hold of, but it is very much a battle for one's life out there!

The sea's rage, the locals say, is because Mariana is particularly incensed over something that occurred. They do not know what exactly, but many have said that sleepers have felt a particular brunt of this ire lately. For now, it is a game of survival and a constant battle to bring people in safely.

Notes:
-Any natural weather occurrence is possible in the first week of August and last of July. Seemingly impossible combinations may occur (A waterspout in the middle of the eye of a hurricane, almost anything.
-These threats will be upon anyone who is not far enough inland to enjoy the festivities. The beach is not truly safe and sleepers are hustled inland quickly.
-Death is possible, though sleepers who die in the ocean find themselves returning very quickly as squids for some reason, within 24 hours, only to be threatened again before they eventually find shore.

of monsters in the water
WHEN: Throughout August
WHERE: The coast and waterways
CONTENT WARNINGS: Monster Horror, Possibly Getting Eaten, Threat of bodily harm, Unnatural Physiology, Existential Dread


Something has been dredged up from the deep by the storms that rage. It is said that Mariana not only presides over the oceans, but also the most powerful monsters that dwell within the deep. Some of these, it is believed, may be the remains of Pthumerians whose minds and lives were lost during the hard times before, or the spawn of their mating with things other than humans. Whether these rumors are true, eldritch things have begun to emerge from the depths and darkness, things best left unseen.

Throughout the month of August, it is possible to encounter creatures that can only be described as monsters emerging from the water. With every passing storm, another emerges. Some are as large as small kaiju, while others are closer to human size, and each shares very little in common with the others, save for two particular details. The first of these is that they are all aquatic in nature and bear at least a passing similarity to sea monsters of ancient legend or particularly large and dangerous aquatic animals. Giant cuttlefish, Megalodons, Plesiosaurs, Octopi, Sea Cucumbers, Whales, or any of a number of other sea creatures appear to be their basis. The other similarity, however, is that all are hideously and grotesquely deformed. Tentacles, second rows of teeth, great clawed hands and feet enabling them to walk on dry ground, a thousand eyes all over the hump of a hunchback whale all shooting laser beams in the full moon, almost anything seems to be possible, though the changes are all chtonically horrendous in nature.

These creatures are violent, dangerous, and horrifying to behold. Just looking at them jars the mind and threatens to damage one's psyche while they try to understand what they are seeing. Bones are in seemingly impossible angles, bodies moving in ways that they shouldn't. Just looking at them can cause nausea, vertigo or mental breaks, though the danger does not stop there. They are agents of chaos, seeking to destroy mind or body, on a rampage whenever they reach ground, though they do not delve far into Trench beyond the waterways and beach, almost as if they are prevented by something. When one strays too close, an ominous light glows from the tops of the tallest spires in the city and they are inevitably repelled, but until they are killed or sent back to the deep from whence they came, they remain a threat outside of the city.

CODING
underbluesky: (pic#15731938)

[personal profile] underbluesky 2022-07-27 07:16 am (UTC)(link)
[His smiles with children are always a touch brighter and more real than they are with others; a ghost of the emotion he'd like to be there in place of the emptiness. He bends to ruffle her hair as she reaches out to the elephant, and he pushes the toy further into her hands.]

I wouldn't have anywhere to keep it. I'm sure you'll be able to give him a much nicer home, huh?
melodyofsilence: (and I'll think of you each time)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-07-28 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hair ruffles! Hotaru accepts the elephant that's gently pushed into her hands, smiling up at him in return for the one he gives her. ]

I'm sure you could find one, but thank you. I'll take good care of him.

[ A thoughtful pause. ]

How about I play you a song later in return?
underbluesky: (pic#15841295)

[personal profile] underbluesky 2022-07-29 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
[He very much does not as he has yet to find a place to live ahaha...ha ...ha. But luckily Hotaru doesn't press the issue and he is delighted when not only does she take it but she offers to play him a song in return. He loves music, this is great.]

I would love that. What instrument do you play?
melodyofsilence: (the stars - the moon)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-07-30 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He can find a place easily here, luckily. The man was kind enough to play the game and give his prize out, Hotaru would be rude to turn it down. Yes, good, accept the gift of music! ]

The violin. Mama Michiru has been teaching me and my case showed up in my bag when I did.
underbluesky: (pic#15841430)

[personal profile] underbluesky 2022-08-05 10:21 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, that's lucky! I'm sure Mama Michiru will be glad you'll be able to continue to practice. I can't wait to hear what you play.

[Lead the way cute child, he is ready to be wowed!!]
melodyofsilence: (farewell and godspeed)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-08-07 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I want to be able to show her how good I've gotten when I see her again. Come on!

[ She holds out a hand for him to take so Hotaru can lead him to a less crowded place. Once her violin is shouldered, there's no hesitation to begin playing as if she's been practicing her whole life. Which is mostly true. ]
underbluesky: (pic#15841295)

[personal profile] underbluesky 2022-08-11 12:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[He easily allows himself to be dragged by the small child here, and he settles comfortably on the nearest bench before she starts to play. It's a beautiful tune; sometimes bars and cafes have live entertainment, which he always enjoys, but there's something particularly charming about a small child being the one to play for him. He would've clapped for her no matter what, but his applause is especially enthusiastic when she's finished because she really is incredibly skilled.]

That was amazing! How long have you been playing?
melodyofsilence: (and galaxies ignite)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-08-11 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Once the song is over and he applauds, Hotaru curtsies just like her mama taught her. Then puts her violin back in the case so it doesn't get damaged on accident. She makes her way over to the bench and hops up to sit next to him. ]

Since I could hold a violin. [ Very ambiguous, but how does one say "before I was six months old" and not get looked at oddly? ] Before that, mama taught me how to read music.
underbluesky: (pic#15841407)

slides back in two weeks late with starbucks

[personal profile] underbluesky 2022-08-28 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
[It's all very charming, and he sits patiently as she puts her instrument away before continuing the conversation.]

That's wonderful. Is it your dream to be a musician?
melodyofsilence: (and I'll think of you each time)

late? what's that? /sips drink

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-09-17 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She latches the case closed, not wanting to have her instrument ruined with all these people around. Strings can be replaced, but she doesn't know if there's a violin shop or anything here. ]

Hm... not really. I just like playing. It's nice to be able to play with my mama as a duet.