October Test Drive Meme!

[reddosmod]

OCTOBER 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: A snowy, rocky beach in winter. ]
[Image Two: Bowls of mushroom soup and bread. ]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Dali painting of the moon as a city]
[Image Two: Twisted, warped cityscape]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Monster choking a sleeping person to death]
[Image Two: Death hovering over a sleeping person]

BONUS PROMPT
[Image One: Liminal Space image of a nondescript room with strange ledges]
[Image Two: Cenobite woman with borg-like attachments to her face]

[NAVIGATION]

TDM Questions • Reserves • Taken • Applications • Full Navigation

[Jump to Comments]

STANDARD ARRIVAL

WHEN: First Week of NOvember
WHERE: The Farther Shores/The Boardwalk, Koz's Orphanage
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 is not the greatest month to wash up on the Farther Shores. It's November and you'll pretty much immediately hate it! The waters are frigid but not quite frozen yet, but that won't make your arrival any less uncomfortable. Thankfully the Boardwalk seems well-stocked with heavy blankets and furs to give to newly awakened Sleepers. Barrels of hot chocolate and hot alcoholic cider are readily available to warm people up. There are several stalls selling hearty soups willed with mushrooms, potatoes, beans, and other filling components.

Fresh baked bread and pastries are sold on wax paper. Enjoy a steaming cinnamon roll or croissant or just your standard bread and butter. Many bakers have set up temporary stoves and seem to invite teaching Sleepers how to cook and prepare bread and pastries. Maybe knead some dough, learn some tricks of the trade. If you help out ab baker, they might even thank you with a sack of flour or other ingredients for bread!

Like last year, as the Moon shifts to Bone, whispers and hushed talk begins anew among the Trenchies about The Tower. There are whispers that something feels wrong. "You know Trench is his body, right?" one might say. "But look at what's been happening. Is everything alright?" There is nervousness, agitation. Trenchies can't seem to put a finger on it. One of the old fishermen mutters under his or her breath if overheard in this time. "Long time since we tried to leave the Tower's shield. Hope didn't bring anything back from out there. World's a strange place."

None of them seem to have anything specific to add. They just seem nervous for some reason.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

IMAGE OF THE SELF

WHEN: Halloween through all November
WHERE: All of Trench
CONTENT WARNINGS: Distorted Reality, horrifying cityscape images, mounting paranoia, displacement

---

"They say that Trench is the body of the Tower." It is a saying so often repeated during the Bone Moon season that it becomes more of a mantra. Whether or not it is actually true remains a hotly contested debate between Arcane Scholars and Disciples, one of the few times that neither side fully agrees even with themselves. Yet, if it is true, what happens if the person whose body serves as a city begins to have an identity crisis of sorts? That certainly seems to be the case this month.

At random times, it just happens. You're walking from one place to another with your friend. You just stepped out of a lantern network teleportation circle. You open a door. Suddenly, everything is just wrong. It feels like you are in a surrealist's nightmare. Walls appear to be bleeding concrete in all directions. Stairwells twist impossibly, as if M. C. Escher himself were the architect. The pathway to where you intended to go warps and transforms itself into a perilous, twisted monstrosity that you have to navigate. Worse? The way you got here is just gone behind you, leaving you only the path forward.

Navigating this isn't impossible, but you will definitely need help. It might be that one has to stand on another's shoulders to get over an obstacle and then help them up. Maybe someone very small has to crawl into an opening to reach the door handle so the way through can be found. It varies, and the effect lasts only as long as it takes to get where you're going, but while you're here the reality continues to shift and some of these twistings could easily crush you! Don't tarry too long!

NOTE: The physical danger here is from environmental hazards. Feel free to choose any you like, but they will all return to normal when your character reaches their intended destination. Trenchies know nothing about this, though if one asks one of the former wastes, they will ward themselves as if against evil. They know something, but they dare not speak and will whisper hurriedly that the sleeper had best not talk too openly about this. "Best not to draw attention right now."

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP

WHEN: Last Week of October through the first week of November
WHERE: At Home, in your bed
CONTENT WARNINGS: Severe Insomnia, Sleep Deprivation, Deprivation induced hallucinations and mood swings

---

Something is clawing at your mind from the moment that the first signs of the cold coming. You can't put your finger on it, but even as you see the people of Trench preparing for the next month's arrival of sleepers, you can see they feel it too. Something claws at the mind and for a few people in Trench, this becomes a very literal problem. The thoughts are so overwhelming that you can't manage to find a good night's sleep. This problem is especially prominent for new Sleepers, who seem prone to arriving with terrible bouts of unexplainable insomnia.

That sounds simple enough to deal with, right? Perhaps some sort of sleep aid, or working oneself to exhaustion, and you can power through it, right? No. Nothing seems to work at first. Searches for a monster are futile. Warding and incense seem utterly ineffective, and no matter how hard you try, night after night you cannot sleep. You are terrified of falling asleep. If you fall asleep, you may never wake up! Even characters who do not fear a mortal death feel themselves compelled by this, and the longer that they do not sleep the more corruption risks them at its door. A night or two missed is one thing, but eventually irascibility sets in. Hallucinations may eventually start to crop up. The body needs REM sleep. It needs dreams, yet the horror that threatens the person will not allow them to sleep, for fear that it will come for them while they sleep. What 'it' is, they do not know.

There is only one solution. For those who already spend time with others? This is a simple thing, but they must still agree to do it. You can solve this curse only if you do not sleep alone. Another must stay awake for the vigil through the whole night. Simple enough given their insomnia, but they will be assailed by their own horrific lack of slumber. Only, after you have had a good night's sleep, be sure to care for the other who was so kind to you. Why? Because anyone so unkind as to not help their erstwhile companion sleep after they have finally gotten rest will find out that those fears were not unfounded and the next time they sleep, they really do not wake up!

Death, in this rare case, comes in the form of a heart attack. Its source is unknown, and all that the sleeper will remember is the worst nightmare of their life as they lay in bed, dying in soundless screams. So, be sure to take care of each other, sleepers!

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

THE VEINS OF THE TOWER

WHEN: November 1st (And only November 1st)
WHERE: Beginning anywhere, ending in A Nightmarish Place
CONTENT WARNINGS: Liminal Space, Disorientation, Hints of horrible monsters, Possible Death, Insane Zealotry, Mutilated Bodies

---

Rumors have lingered since the first encounters two months ago of a 'space between spaces' that people could accidentally fall into that this occurrence has not been entirely limited to the month it first happened in. Every once in a while, on unusual days, it has happened since that time. There appears to be little rhyme or reason to it, but it has happened again. Maybe you took an accidental step backwards. Or maybe you were crazy enough to have identified some spot you disappeared before and you were actually experimenting with the effect every day to see when it happened. You know, to chronicle the dates it happen, to keep a record, to understand it better, all of those sorts of things that cause some sleepers to poke things that are Better Left Alone because that's what some sleepers do with their free time, and then they touch the spot with something and suddenly they and everything around them are sucked in. How you got there is not important. You're here now, wherever here is.

Only this time its different. You're not in the spot you were last time, and in the distance you can hear shuffling of feet. Dread enters your heart, as you know that you do not have the means to fight whatever it is. You have an overwhelming urge to run, to flee at top speed. You and whoever is "lucky" enough to be with you must run as fast as you can, around corners, a roaring, inhuman scream echoing through the hallways, slamming into walls. You can't quite see it, not unless you want a swift, awful death at least. But around a corner there is salvation, an elevator shaft and the door is open. Frantic scrambling, running and jabbing buttons will cause the doors to close, just as something black like a giant hand grabs the far wall. You hear the rush, the scream. The elevator shudders three times as something pounds on it, but you're safe. Or, are you?

Instead of the usual moldy hallways, you see what looks like a hospital hallway. Anyone who lived through the nightmare may have awful flashbacks, but nothing is chasing you this time. The impossibly stretching hallway seems ceaselessly unchanging, each door locked, at least until you happen to notice a grate on one of the overhead air conditioners open wide. If you are curious enough to crawl up and into it, you're treated to a long scramble through the passageway, right up until you hear voices, menacing ones in the distance. Crawl quietly!

A grate emanating ugly, light is up ahead. As you and your companion work your way over, you're hopefully not heard. Through the grate, you see something awful. Two mutilated and disfigured figures speak while a third, calm and ordered looking woman listens. She seems to have mutilated her throat such that she should not be able to speak, and the other two appear have performed torturous experiments on their own flesh, their twisted visages that of the 'Zealots' that the Sleepers sometimes whisper about in fear. "It is almost time for the harvest. We made the quotas last cycle but only barely. The need is greater. Sacrifices must be made," one hisses. The other nods vigorously. "Yes. The situation is decaying. We have to move to stop this before it gets out of hand."

Before they can say more, however, the third woman looks up, directly at the grate. She smiles once, and a voice echoes from her throat as what appears to be a mouth inside of it moves, her own lips unmoving. "Continue this discussion later. It seems the problem has worsened. We will need to step up security in the meantime." She reaches out a hand and wrenches. The air shimmers around them and suddenly the duct you are traveling in collapses and breaks beneath you. Instead of falling into the farm, however, you find yourself falling through darkness for what seems an eternity, until you collapse hard to the pavement, in front of the entrance to the Gate, your breath coming back to you slowly, shakily.

NOTES: Death is possible should a sleeper assault the first creature. It is a being of impossible angles and blackness, is itself unkillable and will rend its victims to oblivion through brute force. Fighting the Zealots is not possible through this prompt. The grate cannot be opened in time to exit into the Sleeper Farm and engage them. However, the astute will be certain that there was for a moment an actual entry through and into the Sleeper Farm, somehow. Those familiar with these locations will recognize them as being Floor 1, the Stalls

[JUMP TO TOP]

CODING

Comments

Taro Watanabe | OC | Paleblood

[hachitaro]

I - Arrival

The squid flops weakly onto the shore, a set of deep red gashes slowly healing on its body. It disintegrates into sand like the others, but seems to struggle to keep its form. First it's small, then it's human-shaped, then it's the size of a dog - then a bear?

Whatever's going on, it's clear that there's someone that needs help. Perhaps a kind Waker or another Sleeper can coax him into his true shape - and hopefully keep quiet about it, once the Sleeper is in his right mind enough to ask for that.


II - Boardwalk

Taro - now in human form (rather than squid or kid tanuki) - starts exploring the boardwalk. He's been to many of these all over America - from Seattle to Atlantic City, Honolulu to Miami. This one... well, it's a little sad, but he doesn't seem to mind, a bright smile on his face as he stops by the stalls.

Bread? He can make bread. He helps out one baker, and the next leans over and demands he come help. He's no artisan, but he's good with his hands. Very good, if the shape of the loaves he makes is any indication. Either find him in the middle of kneading something or while carrying a large sack of flour.

What's he going to do with this? He doesn't even have a place to stay. If someone's staring he'll just shrug. "... Do you want this?"


III - Comms

user name: 008

so i gotta ask

are these 'gods' like... real? are they a Problem with a capital P? its really hard to tell since this is another world

and parallel worlds and yadda yadda, you get it. things dont work the same.

do we need to make a spreadsheet of 'poomerian good y/n'? if so im not doing it i hate spreadsheets

theres a reason i dont do office work

also if anyones having sleeping problems and they want a companion hmu especially if youre cute.

[Ladies.]


IV - Wildcard!

[Got another idea? Hit me up here.]

[Text][UN:A_Wesker013]

[subject_013]

I wouldn't call them 'gods', though one could compare them to the Elder Gods in some classic cosmic horror tales: more advanced aliens than gods per se. But yes, they are real.

And it's a bit more complicated than 'X Pthurmerian Good'/'Y Pthumerian bad'. They work more like forces of nature than like forces of morality. For that matter, morality is never that simple, even among simple creatures such as humans. The hero in the story may be the villain to another character in the tale.

[hachitaro]

Lovecraft-style, got it. Hopefully with less author-inspired baggage.

So like elemental stuff, huh? Got it. I've dealt with those sorts of beings before.

And I know morality's not that simple but things like 'respecting the decency of others' and 'doesn't want to kill us' are important things to know, yeah?

Re: Taro Watanabe | OC | Paleblood

[subject_013]

I'm not certain that the old crank from Providence's creations can hold a candle to the realties which dwell here. Even his more forward-thinking students would likely take pause at some of the things that go on here.

Well then, if you have some past history with strange beings, you'll adapt more readily than some who turn up here.

It depends on the reason for 'wanting to kill you'. Are they killing for its own sake or is there a greater purpose to it?

[hachitaro]

True. From what I hear it's a regular horrorshow around here.

I'm really more of an observer than a participant though, usually. There's a reason I never went into politics. I'd say "I prefer to watch" but that sounds weirder than I meant it to.

Yes and yes? Look I'll be honest I would just really rather not get merc'd by a flying spooky monster.

[subject_013]

If you've imbibed any amount of classic horror, best to draw on your recollections from it.

There's a place here for everybody, even the observers: they're the ones catching the details which the operators like myself need in order to fill our mission. You're more useful than you realize.

I'd say the one you most need to keep an eye on is The Reckoning, but I may be biased, since she meted out the punishment likely coming to me for things I was involved in, in my world of origin. If you have no major crimes to speak of, you might want to tread lightly around her, though she's usually hard to find. On the opposite end of the spectrum, my patron, Bausphomette, is about the kindest and most open-hearted Pthumerian, who wants only for those under their patronage to discover and change into their best selves.

[hachitaro]

Oh joy. Should I start checking under my bed for monsters?

I'm pretty good at sneaking around, too. I've gotten a lot of good information that way. I'm no fighter. I can throw a punch but that's about it.

The Reckoning, huh... we've all got our faults but I don't think I've got much in the way of major crimes to speak of. Wouldn't say I've always followed the law, but I try not to hurt anyone. I've no idea who my patron is. My birthday's in spring, though.

[Maybe. The first year or two of his life is a bit of a blur. But it was definitely spring... or maybe fall?]

[subject_013]

It wouldn't be out of keeping, though thankfully, our homes tend to be our personal sanctuaries for the most part.

Dare I say, there are plenty of fighters and not as many watchers as I'd like to see in this place. The canny ones usually aren't the ones showing up on my surgical slab requiring my needlework.

Fair enough. She won't go after you if you crossed the line of the law out of fear or necessity. She won't go after you for stealing a loaf of bread to keep from starving, but she did go after me for stealing secrets from a corporation for my own personal gain.

Let's see. March belongs to the Moss King, a mysterious satyr-like creature who loves gambling and games of chance. April to Argonaut, a large moth-like creature who encourages us toward hope. And May to Bausphomette, my patron, a werewolf-like being who encourages us to transform into our better selves.

[hachitaro]

Great. I'd like to have a place of my own soon... I've been living in this fantasy-ass inn for a few days.

Good. Let them fight. I'll be here when they're done. I'm just tired of seeing fighting. And these Beasts... nope, don't like it.

... Hopefully I'm not really on her radar. Can't really defend myself much, especially from stuff like these poomerians.

April, huh? Well, I do like April Fool's Day. Maybe Argonaut does too?

I - Arrival

[xiaoxiuya]

Shen Yuan has never considered himself an expert at comforting people -- or squids -- but when he sees something struggling right in front of him, in obvious pain and suffering, what else can he do but try to help? He kneels next to the struggling squid, a young man dressed in green robes with long black hair, and places a gentle side on its side, feeding it some of his qi in an attempt at soothing its pain and calming it down.

"Shhh," he whispers gently. "You're safe now. Don't try to push through the pain, just lie still and think about your breathing."

[hachitaro]

There's an immediate reaction as soon as his qi touches the squid's form - it's as if a hand reaches out and grabs onto the stream of it. He's hungry for more of it - he can't help it - but the shifting sand immediately settles.

... Into the form of a small animal. He's covered in brown fur with a lighter patch on his belly and on his face. His eyes are dark and inquisitive, and his paws end in short claws. He's also got a rather large set of... well.

Hopefully Shen Yuan knows some Japanese mythology, because the creature's ears pin back in fear and annoyance. The voice of a young man comes from him as he opens his mouth. "Ah... shit. Uh. You... you didn't see me, okay?!"

[xiaoxiuya]

Oh my god, that's adorable. Even with the, uhhh...coconuts.

"I haven't seen a single person all day long," he says blandly, gently extracting his qi from the newcomer before they take too much. (He doesn't suspect malicious intent just yet, when someone's thirsty they can't be blamed for grabbing for water, but that doesn't mean he wants to be drained himself.) "But you should try to stay calm, okay? Nobody's going to hurt you right now, I promise."

[hachitaro]

In a blink, there's a young man sitting in front of him, with a green shirt and grey overshirt. He winks and gives the other double fingerguns. "Great, 'cause I didn't see anyone either. And uh... you must be some kind of..."

He searches for the terms but shakes his head. "Not human, anyway. So it's fine. The name's Taro. What's yours?" There's no sign of any injury anymore, not unless he probes deeper with some kind of magic. Nope, just totally a normal human here. Nothing wrong!

[xiaoxiuya]

"Shen Yuan." He smiles at the young man and shakes his head. "I actually am human, I'm afraid, but please don't worry. Not that I've seen anything unusual at all today, but if I had, anyone with anything unusual about them wouldn't need to worry about me. Actually I like unusual people and things." Explanations of just how many unusual sort of people call Trench their home can wait. He nods at Taro's side, in the general-ish area where he'd had an open wound as a squid. "Is your side doing better? I can offer more of my qi, or help you over to the boardwalk where we might be able to find someone with bandages, if you'd prefer."

[hachitaro]

He pauses and presses his lips together, considering his next words.

"Humans can't do magic, though..." Sure, there's been legends and stories, but he's pretty sure he's never seen a human do magic. But anyway, he's not really in a mood to argue. He's very tired... he's had a very long day.

Hm? Ah. Right. "I'm not in danger of dying anymore, I think." He offers the other a smile. "But it's cute that you're concerned. I appreciate it." In truth it still hurts a lot, but he's gotten used to not relying on others for help. No one except Toshiko, at least. As much as he loves the Underground, he can barely trust anyone in it... and humans can't really know it even exists.

But he's able to get up and move, and he's not in danger of bleeding out thanks to that infusion of... magic? Some kind of magic. It sure felt like the energy from a human soul, which he hasn't felt in a long time. It's a bit concerning, but... well. So was being a squid.

[xiaoxiuya]

"Maybe not in your world, but in this one many humans can do magic," Shen Yuan kindly explains. "There are several different kinds, too. Transformation is just one of many, here."

He's not crazy about being called cute (what, does he look like a little kid or something?) but figures Taro deserves some lee-way for what was an even more stressful arrival than most. "What about some food, then?" he suggests, pushing himself up to his feet and dusting himself off before offering the other man a hand up. "I'll treat you; call it a 'welcome to Trench' gift."

His reasons for this offer are two-fold. First, he of course wants to be hospitable and show a newcomer kindness, just as he was shown kindness when he arrived in Trench. But also he's not sure he really believes that Taro is completely recovered, and wants to keep an eye on him just in case he faints or starts bleeding again or something.

[hachitaro]

"... Right." Okay. Well. Different worlds, and all. This is going to take some getting used to. He knows media, but it's a very different thing when it's happening to you.

Yes, Shen Yuan. Compared to him, you're basically a little kid. But he's not going to say that - let this guy figure it out. He takes the other's hand and pulls himself up, grinning a little bit. He seems to be moving all right... he's not visibly bleeding, at least. Then again, it's pretty obvious he's using an illusion.

"What's the currency around here? Dollars? Yen? Yuan? Won?" This place looks... well. He's seen run-down towns before. The architecture looks vaguely American, but who can tell in a place like this? "I don't exactly have a lot of cash on me." He makes a show of patting his pockets, looking around to see -

"... I recognize that bag." He heads over and picks up a large messenger bag, checking it for - "Yep, there's a scratch on the back. This is definitely mine." He slings it over his shoulder and nods. "Never forget your bag. Or your towel."

arrival

[velvet_teen]

[ Alice is not unfamiliar with various kinds of shapechanging and has come up with her own, unique set of tactics for assisting her friends. She bites the back of her hand so some darkblood glitters out and punches whatever looks like a head. ]

Get it together, idiot! Pick a shape and stick with it!

[ Between the spatial magic and her own forceful personality, that oughta have an impact. ]

[hachitaro]

[The form shudders and falls back, slumping in the sand and quickly forming into a small, furry shape. He gets up and rubs his head, wincing.]

Ow! What the hell?! That's pretty rude, you know!

[velvet_teen]

Yeah, I know.

[ Alice has never been sorry for anything in her life and isn't about to start now. She leans down so her head's closer to this weirdo's level and crosses her arms. ]

Want me to kick you next time instead?

[hachitaro]

[In a blink, there's a young man sitting in front of her. There was never anything here, nope.]

I think I'd rather skip being hit in general, thanks. I've kind of had a rough day already?

[velvet_teen]

Didn't like being a squid, did you?

[ Alice has turned into weirder things and does not judge him for being some sort of hedgehog. That's a lie she's judging him for being a crap hedgehog with no proper spines. ]

[hachitaro]

Not my favorite, no. I don't really like being squishier than a human. It's pretty annoying.

[He's tempted to call her annoying, but he also doesn't want to get punched again.]

[velvet_teen]

As far as humans go, you already look pretty squishy.

[ She's gonna poke his cheek to check for squish. Or try to, at any rate. Better than being punched, probably. ]

[hachitaro]

[He puffs up his cheeks in annoyance, but he does indeed feel like a human.]

I'm not fat! Then I'd be squishy. I've got muscles!

[Weak ones, but still muscles.]