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countryclub2022-07-25 10:37 pm
reddosmod) wrote in countryclub2022-07-25 10:37 pm
Entry tags:
July Test Drive Meme!
JULY 2022 TDM
STANDARD ARRIVAL
rough seas and high winds
of monsters in the water
CODING
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. ]
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!
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. ]
WHEN: August
WHERE: The Farther Shores/The Boardwalk
CONTENT WARNINGS: N/A
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
WHEN: Throughout August
WHERE: The coast and waterways
CONTENT WARNINGS: Monster Horror, Possibly Getting Eaten, Threat of bodily harm, Unnatural Physiology, Existential Dread
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.
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.
no subject
"This one is all food in some sort of... strange paper."
He does not have time to marvel at the art upon something labeled Extreme Salt & Vinegar. He tosses the whole bag with the sound of crinkling plastic towards Maria to inspect and reaches for another.
"...These are mine." He knows it with the first brush of calloused fingers on linen. He tugs a piece of travel-dusted white robe edged with black embroidery halfway out of the bag and fully looks up at Maria, brows knitting, troubled.
"You did not specifically pack our things to escape the ship, did you? I have no memory of this."
She has proven herself an ally, so it is not that which is in question. Only the rest of this entire situation.
no subject
The retrieval of his things pulls a brief, tight smile to her face that's gone in a moment. After years spent concealing herself as a man and then serving among the Crusaders, Maria is not offended by male nudity, but nor does she blame him for wanting to cover up. It's not as though she had any desire to expose herself either.
Speaking of which. Her tunic may cover more of her body than the borrowed robe covers his, but it's hardly enough for her preference. "I did not." She pulls her trousers from the bag and begins to finish dressing, quickly and efficiently.
"It was nearly the same for me. I woke up here on the shore, not long before I saw you in the water, with no recollection of how I got there." Trousers on, she reaches up to squeeze excess water from her saturated hair. It won't make much difference — her tunic is still soaked from the impromptu rescue — but she has to at least try. She hesitates before continuing, unsure how to convey information she still doesn't really understand. "There are...people here, waiting as if they knew to expect this."
no subject
"A strong, reliable current that carries people and things to shore. The people of this land have come to expect it," he guesses as he fixes his leathers in place and slings the bag over his shoulder. This exceptional bag kept everything in it dry and sand-free. Another mystery that must be shelved in the name of survival.
"There is still the matter of my blades, save for this one." He lifts his left arm slightly; his left bracer contains the Hidden Blade. Maria will know it, having seen it pointed at her. "And anything of yours that is missing... If they have not been stolen already."
He casts a baleful glance up and down the beach before finally tugging his trademark hood over his short, damp hair to cloak his face back in mystery for anyone who does not already know him.
no subject
"My sword," she says. So much else has washed up with them, it may yet be found among the detritus. It's a good sword, a parting 'gift' from those she once called brothers, so she at least wants to check. And she'll feel better with a blade close to hand; as it is, she feels a little naked even now that she's got clothes on again. The appeal of a hidden blade is suddenly that much more apparent.
Altaïr's hood goes up and Maria feels a strange pang in her chest. It's not the first time she's seen his actual head, but he looks so different when his face isn't half-concealed. Younger, maybe; definitely less imposing. More a person, less a predator.
She sets the thought aside. "I should like to get a name for this land," she says. "And see where it is on a map. I'm no sailor but I'm certain this isn't anywhere it makes sense for us to have been swept to."
no subject
"You without a sword is a strange thing." It's the context in which he's always known her.
They should split up a little, cover more ground... He wants to keep her close. He is hesitant to be more than a few feet from her. This place is strange; he does not want to lose sight of Maria. Then it occurs to him that it is he who is vulnerable here. She may not have her sword, but she can defend herself bodily. Altaïr is still getting the knack of walking. He doesn't like being vulnerable; it is a state he tries not to think about often, so when it happens, it leaves him at a loss.
He digs something out of the satchel he has claimed: a leather-bound sheaf of papers.
"--It is blank. No information--but here is a map." He pulls it out from where it was tucked between the pages and unfolds it. He steps close (one foot in front of the other, come on now) so she may inspect.
"Just the city, and the land surrounding it. Trench, Deer Country... I do not know it." This troubles him, for he counts himself well-educated on the locations of the known world.
no subject
He's right, though. It feels strange to be without a sword. She peers at the dark shoreline, on the lookout for any sign of hers, but doesn't move to leave Altaïr's side. There's been no indication of danger beyond that presented by the water itself, but it seems natural to stay together and continue watch out for one another, as they had finally done in Limassol.
The map pulls her attention from the beach. Maria leans in, inspecting and then frowning at what they see. "Neither do I." She takes the other side of the map, pulling it closer, as if that will change what is already clear on the page. Deer Country. Trench. Landscapes that she does not recognize but is certain do not exist anywhere close to the Holy Land. It confirms some of what she's already guessed, but it's still unsettling to see it recorded on paper.
"Well." She doesn't know what to make of this. "I know I said that I intended to travel, but this isn't exactly what I had in mind."
no subject
His mouth twitches in a sudden half-smile that surprises him. It is something he is still getting used to, Maria's humor breaking through like a head above waves. She saves him from drowning in more than one way, and he does not realize it. He chooses his friends carefully, but sometimes he is unaware of just how much the choosing affects him. He hasn't had friends in a while due to his arrogance in the past; he only recently patched things up with Malik.
"I will find your sword, and mine as well," he says with more surety than he has cause to have. As he notes a few
fast travel pointsthings on the map to explore later, he lets go of it if she wishes to continue perusing it. He begins to walk on the sand, slowly at first to invite her to walk together, stopping every once in a while to stare at the beach with unusual intensity.no subject
Once she's memorized as much as she can, she folds the map and tucks it into her bag, briefly watching Altaïr from behind before moving to join him. He's walking better — good. The curiously focused expression, at least, isn't new. Perhaps he's feeling more himself.
"If you can find it, I may consider our score settled regarding past indignities," she says, a faint hint of amusement in her tone perhaps enough to balance the fact that, while they may be friends now and she can't bring herself to regret the events of recent weeks, she also hasn't forgotten what it was like to be trussed up like a game bird. "Whatever we may encounter here, I'd feel better knowing I could fight."
no subject
"And I would feel better with full use of my limbs," he agrees, wings just as clipped as hers--for now.
They will pool their knowledge together in these early days. What one learns, the other will know. That is the way of fighters--allies--who have found themselves in a strange land. After examining their strange collection of items, speaking to the locals, and discovering the wonders of salt-and-vinegar chips and cupcakes with shaped frosting, Altaïr means to peel himself from Maria to start scouting high vantage points. What he finds out from those will garner more questions and more places to explore.