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Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] countryclub2022-09-25 09:57 pm
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SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME!

SEPTEMBER 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: Bread Cornucopia filled with fruits and veggies]
[Image Two: Creepy glass eye embedded in sand]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A Lone Lighthouse by night]
[Image Two: Ghost Ship in dilapidated condition]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Wasps, Wasp Nest made from human Mask screaming terror, swirling eddies in wasp Nest]
[Image Two: Horribly mutilated Cenobite in Latex gear with exposed teeth]

STANDARD ARRIVAL
WHEN: First Week of September
WHERE: The Farther Shores/The Boardwalk, Koz's Orphanage
CONTENT WARNINGS: Creepy Prosthetics buried in the sand


On some level, you are one of the fortunate ones. The storms of August are now a distant memory. It is the waning of the Blood Moon and the tempestuous state of the Beast Moon this year is fading finally while the harvest is being collected. Sleepers arriving find no particular difficulty in actually reaching the shores for the most part, and transformations back into their natural state of being are relatively easy. They are met by happy Trenchies and fellow Sleepers with robes of white and their bags as normal, and motioned towards the waiting tents set up along the

What is strange, however, is that when Sleepers arrive, they may find their eyes drawn to something disturbing amongst the sand. Water washes with the waves and tide, and reveals a body part! They are always prosthetics of some variety, and many are glass eyes that eerily stare at the person. They can be retrieved with some ease, though they're in bad need of cleaning. Perhaps they belong to someone in town? If not, however, asking around will get a suggestion to bring those to Koz's Orphange in Crenshaw. They have a Lost and Found there, and it is the season of finding what and who is lost. If they do, they might catch a glimpse of Koz floating mournfully through the area, and one of the children will gratefully take the item, saying that they will add it to the rest of the Lost and Found, before coming back with a photo in hand. "Here, I found this, and I think it might be yours?" The photo is, indeed, of the giver and someone from their past. Perhaps it is an actual photo taken, or one they cannot remember having been taken. Regardless, it is offered to them in a cheap wooden frame. How it got there, the orphan does not know. It was probably there when they arrived.

SEASONAL DETAILS ON THE BOARDWALK

The Boardwalk is quite the spectacle this time of year, and those who were here the prior year will remember many of the decorations and festivities. Pumpkins have been stacked on spikes lining the Boardwalk with grotesquely realistic carvings of faces decorated on them. Massive white linen has been hung in the air to look like ghosts floating back and forth against the ocean wind.

Delicious smells waft from the Boardwalk as fresh donuts, candied apples, and hot apple cider are sold at every other booth, along with complementary cornucopias given to each new Sleeper made out of bread that has fruits of all varieties but always seems to have a small jar of the favorite fruit, seed, vegetable (or even meat) of the person receiving it. If asked where it is from, the Sleepers shrug and say "The Orphans took up a collection to give a welcoming gift to new arrivals." If what is in the jar is eaten by the person given it, it will help to ease their mind and give them a calm that can last up to a week as they acclimate.

Preparations are in order for this year's Black Parade. An annual celebration, it is promoted among the excited locals as something that people can participate in. Face Painting booths and costumes are available to those who wish them, with the statement by the Trenchies, "We do it to disguise ourselves from roaming spirits and hungry beasts."
A FADED MEMORY
WHEN: Mid October
WHERE: In Swimming distance (Barely) of the Farther Shores
CONTENT WARNINGS: Ghostly Ship & Lighthouse, Threat of Corruption, Remains of Ghastly Murder and Dismembered Corpse


It is by accident that your eyes chance to look towards the Farther Shores. There, you happen to see a lighthouse, but you know for certain that it cannot be the lighthouse that is normally there and manned by the fishermen. You can't usually see that from this angle. The moment that you see it, a feeling of mounting dread falls upon you, and you realize that there is no light in the lighthouse. Though the compulsion to investigate can be resisted, there is an almost overwhelming urge to go, to investigate, to re-ignite the flame before it is too late!

The question is getting out there. The fishermen, when the lighthouse is mentioned, will make warding gestures and look terrified. All will resolutely refuse to sail out, muttering incomprehensible curses and lashing their boats securely to the shore. There will be no fishing tonight. The lighthouse, from the docks and shores, is out in the water on a rocky outcrop that nobody remembers being there, though any Trenchy asked will pale at the mention. The only way to get out there is to swim. It is a hard, dangerous swim, but the tide is coming in, rather than going out, so the riptide is not pulling down. It can be done, or a raft can be hastily made. When clambering up the stone steps to the lone lighthouse, it is apparent its door is ajar. And within? Horror awaits.

The insides of the tower are caked in viscuous, green blood. The Lighthouse itself is barely standing. It looks as if a thunderous, colossal fist has battered it repeatedly, the building nearly collapsing at every step. It does not actually break apart, but those who ascend the steps find themselves fighting not to slip on old, caked and thick blood that smells of roses. The contact with the blood isn't doing anything good to the person's sanity and hallucinations of the screams of the dying can be heard, along with shrieks of "What is it?" at the top of someone's voice. An increase in corruption is possible here, though not required. The more one contacts the blood, the greater the risk is. In the top of the lighthouse, dismembered, skeletal remains lay in gobs of what may once have been flesh. One of them holds desperately a torch in their hand, and there is a lighter present. One look out into the night will see a great vessel approaching, broken, its sails tattered and ruined. there is little time, and hopefully the lighter works!

The moment the torch lights the lamp in the lighthouse, the ship veers away from a collision course that would have destroyed the lighthouse and likely the flimsy rock outcropping on which it stood. Shades of dead sailors stare in horror at those who man the lighthouse today, the ship sailing away into the night. All are pointing beyond, and if you look over your shoulder, you can barely see a collosal figure in shadow walking into the town beyond, seemingly confused and wailing. Nothing further happens, and when the people in the lighthouse reach shore again, they will find upon turning back that it is gone, as is the outcropping, though a close inspection does see the remains of a shallow of stone there where the island once stood.

Note: The Ghost ship cannot be interacted with. If someone has the ability to reach it, they will pass through it only to realize it is nothing more than a memory in the land. Fragments of rotted wood and broken masonry can be found in the water below, covered in countless barnacles. Nothing within them shows any proof of what once transpired. There is a risk of corruption from blood exposure, though this is very much up to the players if they wish to incorporate it.

No Trenchy will willingly speak of what transpired, though a careful investigation at the Pale Sanctuary may find a tome among the sacred texts associated with Cloverfield. Reading from it, one might find a forgotten marking that the first sighting of Cloverfield, long ago, saw the collapse of the original lighthouse. No Disciple recalls the incident, and none will speak of it.

FRIEND OR FOE
WHEN: Anytime in October
WHERE: At the frindges of the main districts
CONTENT WARNINGS: demonic bugs, Bug Horror, Grotesque death, Self mutilation, Bug Infestation


The first thing that alerts you to the danger is the screams. They are agonizing, gut-wrenching and full of naked horror. When traveling near the edge of any of the districts, particularly the Crenshaw district, it is possible at times to witness a truly horrifying sight. The screams, if investigated, come upon the grisly attack of a horde of not exactly wasps but closer to demonic insects swarming over a person. They shriek, their whole form shrouded by the terrible creatures as they're being stun and the things seem to be extruding some sort of substance to cocoon them while still alive to one of the trees. There is no cry for help, as the person is clearly unaware of who is there, but do you reach out to save them?

If you do not, the scene is horrific and grisly beyond reckoning. The wasps trap the hapless victim against a tree, grafting the extruded paper all over their screaming visage to form a new wasp nest before they ultimately begin crawling inside of them, devouring them from the inside out and implanting their eggs in the new 'home' created for them. It is at this time that the palpable danger may dawn upon you. The infernal bugs have not yet seen you, but they seem to be aware that there is other life around. Do you take this moment to try and beat a hasty retreat, or do you fight it out with the bugs? They can be destroyed, but only by means of abilities and powers that destroy multiples at once, such as great gouts of flame. Hopefully you have a coldblood present! Fleeing them is easier, but can you leave this person to their fate? Still, if instead you observe and take no action, eventually the bugs seem to notice you, and though they swarm near, as long as they are not attacked, they seem to do nothing.

Strange.

If, however, you try to save the victim, a very different scene plays out. The same rules apply to fight the swarm, and if you stop them short of killing their victim, you will see just who it is that you have saved. There, mutilated through self scarification and brutally altered in horrible ways that seem almost fetishistic, is one of the blood crazed zealots. Despite being weakened and badly injured, they lash out at you, their defender. The power that they wield with their blood is incredible, and they demonstrate an ability to wield it that is well documented. The only note is that no Cold-blooded Zealots are present, and so their powers are not represented this time. However, they are drained and though they pose a threat to your life, they can be killed here with a bit of care, can be resisted with great difficulty and certainly be escaped. Either way, there is no true reward for having killed them other than knowing that you have done so. Why are they here? Alone?

It is almost as if they were an advance scout, and the wasps were someone's defense against them, someone's early warning.

CODING
kaientai: (144)

sakamoto ryouma | fate/grand order | coldblood

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-10-02 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
ARRIVAL open to all
[ figures he'd be reborn from the ocean.

ryouma has always been a slow starter, though, and something about the feel of the ocean and the sound of waves on the beach feels... familiar? another beach, in another time, in another place. somewhere, he recalls part of a melody. yosakoi! yosakoi! ryouma is pretty sure he's never heard it before, but it feels like he's always known it.

even so, this particular sleeper lingers here longer than most of the others. he has got to become somebody, but that takes time! you can't just wake up and have it all figured out!

the only problem is the rest of him has decided that's not the case and has already abandoned his original squid form, so it's quite possible that you find a fully-formed man sleeping (naked) on the beach. one of those really excellent naps too...


BOARDWALK open to all
[ or, you might spot him on the boardwalk later, taking in all the sights and sounds (and aromas). this might be a frightening world, but ryouma was literally born yesterday, and there's a lot to see! that lazy guy on the beach? totally replaced by this busybody.

ryouma has clearly been talked into getting his face festively painted because he's absorbing the culture around here. after all, it's supposed to be his culture now too.

at some point, someone has also given him one of the cornucopias and informed him of a cool fact. ]


Wait. So it's made of bread?! [ this man has never even met a bread bowl. ] So I can eat the whole thing?

[ that looks like a challenge. ]

You can eat the whole thing!

[ oh. he's talking to you now. in case you didn't know. ]


A FADED MEMORY open to all
[ getting drawn out to that lighthouse was inevitable, especially with no one willing to talk about what happened there. which… is a mystery. and ryouma is a big believer in seeing things with his own eyes. besides, he might get to see some ships, which is what he's really excited about. there is no way this is an excuse to see ships.

he pauses at the threshold, suddenly uncertain — the sheer amount of blood all over everything will do that — and obstructs anyone else who might've been trying to get in behind him. ]


Oh. Haha, I guess when something's a "juicy secret" they really meant it in this case, huh?

[ he never claimed to be funny. ]


WILDCARD
[ ooc; want something else? hmu @ [plurk.com profile] koutenko to plot or throw me a starter! ]
slayerskiss: (pic#15643265)

2

[personal profile] slayerskiss 2022-10-03 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Faith watches this spectacle with mild amusement, turning into a laugh when Ryouma looks at her. She remembers when she first arrived, how hungrily she'd devoured anything that Willow got for her, even when Willow warned her she might get sick (she did get sick).]

Yeah, man. Go for it.
kaientai: (004)

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-10-03 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Almost seems like a shame to eat it at the same time. Somebody put a lot of effort into it!

[ or, so he assumes. ]

I tried baking something once. It was—... [ he thinks about it. ] ...like, if sadness were edible..?

[ ryouma reaches in and plucks a few grapes off their stem and is pleased to find it's unexpectedly good food for a place called trench. how that works with what he's seen of this place so far is something he's not going to think about too hard. just enjoy it. ]

You don't have the fancy bread thing, so I'm guessing this sorta thing is old news for you?
slayerskiss: (so i will burn this movie theatre down)

[personal profile] slayerskiss 2022-10-12 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
The food they offer to welcome new Sleepers is always some of the best. [Although, it can be pretty dangerous too, when it wants to be. She puts her hands in her pockets and shrugs.] It's not old news, but you get used to the options switching up.

When I arrived in the dead of winter it was a whole lot of hot chocolate and croissants.
cloversandcranes: (Uh I don't think-...)

A faded Memory (I AM HERE! FINALLY! (Makoto is a Paleblood)

[personal profile] cloversandcranes 2022-10-04 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
[Makoto had joined Ryouma on his adventure to the lighthouse out of concern. As much as he sometimes wished he didn't volunteer for missions like this, it would be worse for him to ignore it. So with the help of Ryouma they quickly made a makeshift raft to use to get to the lighthouse.

By the time they made it to their intended location, Makoto was soaked and tired. He had let Ryouma lead, trailing behind like a waterlogged puppy. Trying to shake some of the water off, he stopped when his companion paused in the doorway. Before he could ask, he heard Ryouma's words. ...Did he?]


...That's one way to say it.

[That was terrible joke.]
kaientai: (005)

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-10-04 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ did he? he sure did! this man has no shame. he's also been thoroughly enjoying himself despite their destination, because ryouma has taken every opportunity to show off what an excellent sailor he is. for once, he's not bullshitting, having actually earned a lot of valuable knowledge and experience in his brief time working with the steamships he loves. a simple raft is easy enough, although he can only do so much for poor makoto other than show him what to do — good intentions can't keep all the water off. ]

You gonna be alright? This blood stuff is kinda nasty, how I hear it.

[ but ryouma is determined; as soon as he'd asked what to do for work around here he knew what he needed to do. if he's going to be a hunter he can't let a little blood bother him.

in his defence, this is more than a little, but that just means he has to work a little harder to stay focused... right? ]


What the hell happened to this place..
cloversandcranes: (The sky is crying with me.)

1/2 (CW: Mentions of deaths and Danganronpa Spoilers)

[personal profile] cloversandcranes 2022-10-05 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Makoto turned his head away from Ryouma to stare at the mess again. As he stared at the blood, his face slowly fell. His expression of resigned acceptance overtook his usually cheerful expression. He looked and felt so tired that even his usual need to hide his negative feelings felt like too much work.]

...This isn't anything new to me.

[Memories of all of the death he had seen flitted around in his head as he stared at the blood. Maizono crying in his arms, Kuwata's terrified face as he begged for someone to save him after the trial...The memories of his classmates' deaths mixed with the cries of despair he had heard on his missions. The expressions of fear that had shifted into awe as he approached, begging him to save them all.]
Edited (small edits! ...Again!) 2022-10-05 04:45 (UTC)
cloversandcranes: (I can't feel the rain)

2/2 (CW: Mentions of past deaths)

[personal profile] cloversandcranes 2022-10-05 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
[After a moment of silence, Makoto sighed and walked forward, carefully avoiding stepping into more blood than he needs to. He ignored the shiver of dread he felt as he silently continued towards the stairs.]

...We'll probably find out soon.

[With this much of a mess, there were bound to be clues left behind and Makoto had a feeling there was even more upstairs. As he started to go up the stairs, he stopped and looked behind at Ryouma.]

Watch your step. I'm still new to this life but I did hear that touching blood like this can have...side effects.

[He ignored the vision of a bloody Maizono smiling at him and starting walking up the stairs. He would deal with this manifestation of his guilt for his classmates' deaths later. Right now he was too drained and tired. He needed to focus on this mystery right now, for the people in the present.]
kaientai: (169)

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-10-05 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
That so? Sorry to hear it.

[ while a certain level of experience will serve them well here, it's not exactly something anyone can be proud of.

for ryouma, this could be any number of times and any number of places. blink and the image changes, just a little. he's seen a lot more death than anyone should have to, but at least he can't blame himself for these.

his hand settles unconsciously on the sword at his side, unsure if he's being paranoid or if something actually moves in the shadows. ]


It's the smell that gets me, honestly.

[ that's a new feature. he's used to the sight, but the heavy, perfume-like odour adds another dimension to the horror of it all. ]

Something about this scares the locals so bad they won't talk about it. Heh, always gotta see for myself...

[ ryouma is half-talking to himself because it's a thing he can control. he knows his voice and what he's saying. it's one way to try and stave off a deep sense of uneasiness that wants to set in. ]
cloversandcranes: (Serious 2)

Sorry I'm late! Going through some things. (CW: mentions of dead people and survivor's guilt)

[personal profile] cloversandcranes 2022-10-09 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
[Makoto nodded silently at the apology, and kept on walking. Maizono giggled by his ear, whispering dark temptations that slithered around in his head.]

...I prefer this smell honestly. If only for the distance it gives me. I...didn't have much experience with monsters. At least the nonhuman ones.

[After that tiny confession, he traveled further up the stairs, trying not to flinch at the screams he heard. It wasn't quite loud enough to be real, but enough to make him sweat.]

...Something really bad happened here.

[After he uttered that word, he saw some globs of something near the top and frowned. Moving closer he crouched near the object and sighed.]

I think I found someone, or what's left of them.
kaientai: (229)

no worries!

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-10-09 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
That's fair. Didn't really think about it like that...

[ if he doesn't get it, he's at least willing to think it through. he can see the logic, even if it's not for him personally. ]

Well, it's all just perspective after a point. Nobody wants to know about these things, but sometimes they happen. All you can do is control how you let it affect you.

[ that's probably easier said than done, but it's the only way ryouma knows. that's the sort of thing that lets ryouma get the job done. it's what's needed if he wants to get to the bottom of this mystery; he called himself a detective the one time, he might as well earn it. ]

Maybe somebody pissed off one of those, whatchamacallem—...

[ ryouma's thinking. over time little hints at his real accent shine through too. ]

...—the Poo—... Too—..? Hmm.

[ he gives up. ]

Those "Patrons". They're kinda like gods or something 'round here, right..?

[ he never asked anyone how to pronounce "pthumerian" and now he wishes he had. ]
cloversandcranes: (Y-You can't be serious!)

I'm back Min! Covid sucks! Sorry I'm so late.

[personal profile] cloversandcranes 2022-10-23 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Makoto watched Ryouma stumble over the pronunciation of the word Pthumerian with amusement. He had a hard time saying that word too. Unable to stop a small chuckle from escaping, he nodded and offered Ryouma a small smile.]

I think so. They are certainly important enough to be called something like that at least.

[Makoto turned back to the globs of flesh and frowned.]

Even so, this seems unnecessarily messy, even with god like powers at the helm.

[Or maybe he was just being naive. After all, bugs make a mess when you squish them...Trying not to feel sick with that analogy, he looked around and saw the remains of a hand holding a torch. Frowning he looked up out the window and saw something in the distance. Ignoring the torch, he stood up and squinted at the rapidly growing image before realization hit him]

R-Ryouma-san! We need to light the lamp! Quickly!
sleepinglyra: (embarassed sigh)

1. hello fellow coldblood!

[personal profile] sleepinglyra 2022-10-04 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Sheliak also lingered in the shallow water. He felt connected to it in a way he couldn't quite place and he was reluctant to leave. His reluctance only grew as he felt his body reshaping itself. He squeezed his eyes shut as he was overwhelmed by the strange ebb and flow of his new senses. It felt like he was fighting between two very different forms, one that let him feel and one that took that away. He grabbed a fistful of sand in a desperate attempt to keep the rough texture from vanishing, only for it to slip away. His voice felt foreign as he sighed in frustration. He couldn't tell what was real like this and he opened his eyes. The first thing that caught his attention was Ryouma's naked body.

He quickly sat up and turned away with a polite, but insistently loud cough.]


As relaxing as napping is, this is hardly the place for it.
kaientai: (188)

water naps for everyone

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-10-05 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
Hmm..?

[ it's less a proper response than an acknowledgement. that... he's alive? that he'd heard? yes.

that ryouma has a proper voice is an interesting observation, which is a thought that lasts a few seconds longer before proper awareness starts to settle in again.

right, where was he? he's alive. he's a person, kinda — because he's not thinking about what a servant is after two seconds in the waking world — and ryouma sits up and wipes wet sand off his cheek with his arm. which also has wet sand on it, so the improvement is debatable, at best. ]


Oughta get that cough checked out.
sleepinglyra: (slightly embarrased)

[personal profile] sleepinglyra 2022-10-05 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sheliak hesitantly glanced back at Ryouma with a small scowl. A hint of frost was reflected in his blue eyes.]

I'm fine.

[He didn't know where or even who he was but he refused to let his uncertainty show. He wasn't sure why he felt so strongly about it but he stubbornly clung to it anyway. It was the only thing that felt right.]
kaientai: (264)

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-10-06 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
What..?

[ ryouma doesn't realise the problem at first, mostly because naked is a perfectly normal state to be in. but then he remembers not everyone grew up in tosa, where these things are pretty casual. ]

Never been to a bathhouse? Or gone swimming with your friends in the summer..?

[ he at least chooses a better way to sit. and a handy bit of seaweed provides a... buffer. eventually he'll remember he can alter his appearance, but of all the memories starting to settle back in where they belong, he hasn't gotten to that magic yet either. ]
unsheathedfromreality: (my companions in this escapade)

1, henlo!!

[personal profile] unsheathedfromreality 2022-10-06 08:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Other Wakers, on finding a Sleeper passed out on the sand--out of the squid but also out of it entirely--would take their title quite literally and shake the poor guy awake.

Illarion, who's in a damned odd mood--who's in a mood at all, for once--merely smiles paternally on noticing that the Sleeper he's (literally) holding the bag for hasn't made it far up the beach. There's something endearing about the whole scene, and damned if he's not going to bask in that unaccustomed emotion while he's capable.

The shrike sets down the bag he's carrying and pulls off the Sleeper robe slung over his shoulder. It's oversized enough he can settle it over the man in the sand as a reasonable blanket with only a little fussing.

Then, he hunkers down on his heels nearby to wait for his new charge to wake up.
]
kaientai: (121)

hello!!!

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-10-07 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ maybe it's the change in temperature or the feeling of something on his skin, but ryouma stirs sooner than he might have if left alone — so things are working as intended. it makes other memories happen, reminding him of more beaches and other times he laid in the sand and, incidentally, how wonderful it is to be warm and dry after a good swim.

that's an idea, huh?

with sand and other things sticking to him and in his hair, it's hardly a lovely mermaid-like awakening. ryouma blinks up at the person squatting nearby.

sure, he could see this as a reason to be freaked out or outright scared, but why should he? nothing's happening and he feels perfectly safe here. so what if there's someone here just watching? that's a convenient person to ask for directions! ]


Hey, y' know where I can get something to eat? I'm starving.

[ priorities. ]
Edited (leaving things out lmao...) 2022-10-07 15:50 (UTC)