Test Drive: September 2019

[storyevents]

Test Drive: September 2019—

§ instructions.

Welcome to the Test Drive for Forgotten Tales! This is to help interested players test out their characters in the game's setting and see if the essence they have chosen will actually work in game play. There are a number of prompts that try to touch on the kinds of settings and scenarios the characters may encounter. So here are a few things to keep in mind while on the test drive:

• Feel free to use the current Workshop for help if you need it! Both the Workshop and the Test Drive are required for Registration.
  
  
• Participating on the Test Drive does not guarantee a spot on either Claims or Registration.
  
  
• Check the Character Roster and Essence List to see if your choices are not already taken.
  
  
• Include Character Name and Canon in the subject line, and note somewhere within the toplevel your character's essence. It can be in the subject line if you already know what it is (so ex; Character | Canon | Essence). Side note: You are free to try more than one essence if you're on the fence. Just make sure to note which one you're using for that particular prompt.
  
  
• Players are free to assume their characters have been informed of the very basics so you can skip all that if you'd like.
  
  
• Only the "In the Index" prompts of the Test Drive can be carried over in its entirety, but you can alter the story based ones as "stage play" settings within the Index if you wish to carry over that interaction as well.
  
  
• Don't forget to refer to the Game Info for how the mechanics work.
  
  
• Registration will open October 1. Claims will open September 24.

Most of all, have fun! Feel free to invite those you may think would be interested to participate in the test drive.

---

§ prompts.

¶ I. In the Index. When not out adventuring or playing character roles in stories, the Aspects will have some downtime within the Index, the central hub of the Realm of Stories. Here they can explore the city, read up on other stories, socialize with fellow would-be heroes, learn more about the essence, or even just do nothing at all. Any threads and CR made with "Index" prompts can be carried over into the game.

• A. Out in the City. Life in the Index can range from the mundane to the extraordinary depending on which area one travels to. Because it is a hodgepodge of many different stories from numerous cultures, one can never be sure what they may encounter even on an average run for groceries.
  
  
  
  1. Phantom Troll Booth. It's common knowledge that trolls enjoy their bridges and asking for unwary travelers (or in this case, average pedestrians) to pay some kind "toll" to pass over. Of course that's less of a necessity within the city itself, but there are some who like to prank people and others find bridges outside to continue their somewhat lucrative "business." There is one troll in particular, however, who has taken their "occupation" a bit far. Instead of paying to use a bridge, he offers a magical blue phone booth to instantly send a person to their desired destination. All for the "modest" fee of ten gold coins. However, instead of sending them to that location, everyone winds up in a random farmer's pig sty. Yeugh! Will a character be a victim or chase after this devious troll?
     
     
  2. Do You Know the Mutton Man? After a day or so, everyone will have heard of "Jerry the Mutton Man" and that reputation is not favorable. For whatever reason, this young hooligan is pitching out freshly made mutton and chucking it at random people on the streets while shouting, "MUTTON, FRESH MUTTON!!" before laughing and running away. It gets worse when other brats decide to join in the "Mutton" campaign. Someone better take care of this before some of the more "carnivorous" residents of the Index decide to take matters into their own hands (or paws). After all, what a waste of good mutton!
     
     
  3. Katamari Dagoosey. Old MacDonald’s golden goose has gotten loose, and while the bird is gorgeous to look, it IS a goose. And when golden geese are stressed out, they make EVERYTHING they bowl over stick to them. By the time it reaches the Index, the goose is surrounded by a story-tall conglomerate of unfortunate people, scenery, and even the odd cow. The only solution is to roll the ball through the town back to old MacDonald’s farm, where the land has an anti-sticking spell. Rolling and steering a ball THIS big, though, might be a two-person job.
  
  
• B. Essence Practice. Suddenly inheriting the abilities of another person while losing most of your own at the same time can be quite jarring. Picking a place to test out these newfound powers or even going to the Library to read up on the essence's story may help glean some clues as to what they can do.
  
  
• C. Try Out the Journal. The journals are unique to this world and the sole source of communication for everyone. Feel free to give it a try, either by sending a random message out or even a doodle.

¶ II. London Bridge is Falling Down. A classic nursery rhyme with rather dark roots, the Aspects will find themselves facing the bridge in a strange, chaotic state of constantly breaking apart and crumbling. Only the ends appear to remain stable, but that could change at any second.
There are no real roles here, so they are tasked with eliminating the Erasers trying to tear the bridge—and thus the rhyme itself—and stabilize the environment. Just mind the weather. For a lot of the time it will be raining, but there will be occasional patches of sun.

• A. Falling Down, Falling Down. There are numerous reasons for the bridge breaking apart, from the Erasers physically attacking it to the ground itself shaking from constant earthquakes to the pitch black water rising up to slam into the brittle stones. But what's even more pressing is the fact that there are people trying to cross through. Apparently the bridge is actually a functioning one and it's the only way the people who live within this rhyme can leave. While the knights of the Index are valiantly trying their best, many of these people need help trying to cross over and fending off the attacking Erasers.
  
  
• B. Build It Up with Iron Bars, Gold, and Silver. Although stone and wood is available, the key materials they need to use in rebuilding the bridge are iron, gold, and silver. There are plenty of iron bars scattered around to grab and try to fit into place, but the gold and silver have to be found underwater. As to how these all fit, there are workers on the scene who will do that for them, but for the most part they look like puzzle pieces with the bridge's original "outline" just barely visible. Find the place and stick it in.
  
  
• C. My Fair Lady. In the middle of it all, there are sightings of an eerie, ghostly woman dressed in white that appears at random spots of the bridge. From the distance she looks harmless and some believe her to a kind of faerie queen... But in reality, the "lady" is a fearsome wight and will attack all who come near. Those who use their abilities from their Essences will be able to do more damage than just plain weapons.

¶ III. Scene Snippets. The following prompts are various scenes styled similarly to those designed for the campaigns. Two characters are randomly assigned a role and must "act out" the scene. It can be assumed they are given the basics, but they are free to act however they wish. There is no real script or set direction, and they will have full access to their Essence abilities. Roles are not gender limited, so go wild. You are also free to create your own scenes or play within the general setting of the provided stories, even if they are not specified. Everything here is just a "guideline" and characters can act and behave however they would if dumped into the setting.

• A. Anansi Wins the World's Stories. The Aspects are dropped in the middle of a thick rainforest to help recreate one of the Storyteller's favorites: how Anansi the Spider—trickster hero of the Ashanti people—won the world's stories from the sky god Nyame. In order to do so, they have to recreate a few of the spiders' impossible tasks: one Aspect will play Anansi, while their partner will either double team with them to make the task a bit less impossible, or play as Anansi's hapless opponent.
  
  
  1. Rope a Dope. Anansi's first task is capturing the gigantic but vain Onini the Python. Anansi and Onini need to argue over whether the snake is shorter or longer than a fallen palm tree before Onini allows himself to be measured, giving Anansi an opportunity to tie him to the branch "to keep him straight." Hopefully the web shooters in Anansi's costume won't gum up... or accidentally tie up the wrong target...
     
     
  2. Cat's in the Cradle. Here the Aspects will team up as the spider god in order to catch Osebo the Leopard, who thanks to the Story Eater's doing has been transformed into a VERY large, VERY feral Blot monster. The tricksters will have to work fast to build a pit trap lined with spider silk netting for the beast… and someone MIGHT need to serve as bait… Once Osebo falls into the pit, however, all the Aspects need to do is volley insults at it in order to make it thrash and tangle itself even more. That webbing should hold just fine, right?
     
     
  3. Hey! Listen! Anansi's last opponent is very different from the rest. While Onini and Osebo rely on their physical might, Mmoatia the Fairy is small but armed with a hair trigger temper and the power to turn invisible. BUT instead of a weakness for yam paste and good manners, this Blot of Mmoatia is attracted to lost travelers, doing her best to "guide" them back to her lair with her dulcet voice. While one Aspect plays Anansi and tries to guide their partner through the jungle, the other one will play Anansi's "puppet" and do their best to follow Anansi and disobey Mmoatia enough that the fairy will get mad and dive at them. What the fairy DOESN'T know is that the puppet's costume will also include a nice, sticky layer of gum paste, and if all goes right the fairy will tar baby herself to the puppet. Careful, though, she has a pretty good right hook.
  
  
• B. Create Your Own! No need to limit to what we provide. If there's a particular story, scene, or even setting that you think would be fun, go for it! You can even use the story your character's essence is from. Other options are any of the scenes and settings from our previous campaigns and side stories.

¶ IV. Mix it up. This is the "wildcard" prompt. Feel free to take any of these prompts and make them more of your own, or pull from an entirely different story. As mentioned you're free to use any of our previous stories or other events. Just have fun with it!

Comments

Soldier: 76 | Overwatch | Raw Head (Raw Head and Bloody Bones)

[steadypulse]

¶ I

A
[Of course he was going to move through the city, keeping close to various buildings and moving in shadow- even in the daylight. Observing at first, even if the way rather long furry ears kept pinned near the sides of his head gave away his mood. Unhappy. A strange muzzle-like mask that looked to be made of blood-stained bone covered his lower face, eyes hidden behind something dark and almost visor-like; those sensitive to it could likely feel the magic radiating off it, and him.

There was a low growl, brushing against someone as he turned a corner-]

Watch your step.

[Hell, even a pale, striped tail lashed a little in it's movements behind him, poking out from under a word leather jacket with various rips in the material, showing off fabric and even skin underneath it.

Moody.]

B
[Surprisingly? Cloven hooves weren't making that much of a racket as he moved from roof top to roof top, stopping to perch on the ledge of one just over a street. Gave him the appearance of a gargoyle really.

That visor had vanished, leaving yellow eyes that glowed in the faint bit of moonlight the only thing really visible of him.

... Really difficult to not feel those eyes boring in to the back of your head or something if out for a late night walk.]

¶ IV
[Out in the woods? Any forested area of the Index?

Well, there'd be the feeling of not being alone once deep enough. Silence, no animals making any sounds as if there was a large predator stalking about. Not half wrong, but it doesn't make any of it less eerie. Unnerving.

Without his pulse rifle? Well, it was only an irritating inconvenience on top of the entire change that came with it here, and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to overcome it. Didn't mean he had to be happy about it, however.

More so when it drove him to rooting around through leaf debris, picking a few things to stuff in to the bag fixed to his belt. Grew up on a farm, went through survival training. Could survive on his own.]

Getting too old for this.

[Of course upon any approach there would very suddenly be a snarl of warning and bear clawed hands ready, as if the crouched man was very ready to lunge. More so if there was no warning other than just coming closer, the snap of a twig.

At least it was a warning and no actual move to attack?]

[wildcard pt. 2 Here is my workshop entry to give an idea of what's up. feel free to roll your own prompt or PM me if you can't work with what I've tossed up!]

I-B

[chatwithdeath]

[She had a habit of working late hours, and that wouldn't change here. She had her cauldrons bubbling in her grotto practically 24/7, concocting more potions or perfecting past creations. Perhaps people could use magic here, but this was an effective back up.]

[However, heading back to her apothecary, there's a feeling she hadn't experienced in a while.]

[Uncomfortable? Yes. Alarming? Not yet...]

[With a raised brow, she would let her eyes look to the side only, continuing her walk otherwise. Some ingredients, she's found, only had their max potency for so long.]

[steadypulse]

[Was one way to learn how this place worked- watch from on high. Memorize movements and just... get a feel for it all. While also testing the very apparent changes to himself, what that might add or take away.

His attention was caught in a way that didn't go unnoticed by himself as his eyes followed a woman, head tilting to the side, brows furrowing. What the hell?

It was enough to set him moving from his perch, even if he didn't yet drop down; instead moved along the roof tops, following at an easy enough distance all the same. Trying to figure out what that feeling was.]

[chatwithdeath]

[It's still there, but the intent hasn't changed. Still doesn't explain why they're following her at all. She shouldn't have any 'enemies' per se from her book (maybe the Priestess now?) and she hasn't met Hyde herself (but she could see future issues with him since she was helping Disciple).]

[Nonetheless, once she's at the apothecary, she would pause and just... wait. She had about ten more minutes to get some things bottled, but would either of them wait that long?]

[steadypulse]

[The walk along the roof tops was honestly a decent time to puzzle, never missing a step, some irritation behind it all but not directed at her; more this place. The change and not difficult to figure out it had to be something there. It was a feeling he knew what it was, but this- well.

Perfect stranger he was tailing, but it was a feeling that typically only applied to one person that wasn't even here.

Once stopped he did crouch back down, arms rested at his knees as he sat on hooves. Debating. He could sit there for a long time, patience enough built up when a certain person wasn't involved and this was. Something he wasn't sure he wanted to deal with. Enough to growl low in his throat at- himself, mostly.]

[chatwithdeath]

[A few minutes pass, and Naomi has to give it to them; they're patient. However, perhaps it's just better to call them out.]

Come on out. I don't have time for being followed around.

[steadypulse]

[Huh. Well, answered the reason why she just stopped outside of the place and stood there, didn't it?

Weight shifted a little before a hand planted near hooves and

That was a vault straight down from the roof to land on hoofed feet, standing straight enough as ears pinned back. Yellow eyes only visible because that visor still wasn't activated.]

How long?

[Did she know he was there, probably.]

[chatwithdeath]

[Blinking when they did jump down, she raises an eyebrow; not bad for someone with hooves.]

[Arms crossed, she hums.]

A while. Being watched is not an unfamiliar feeling. So, why were you?

[steadypulse]

[Hooves weren't going to stop him from much, apparently. Weight shifting as hands kept to his sides, some tenseness to his shoulders, ears not simply folded back but more sort of... monitoring for sound behind him.]

Been asking myself that.

[Ordinarily he wouldn't have even hopped down at being called out but- well.]

[chatwithdeath]

Hm...

[Not really an answer she was expecting, but eyeing him over, he's not someone she recognizes. She doesn't think she recognizes what story he's immediately from by appearance either.]

... What's your essence?

[steadypulse]

[This whole 'essence' thing.

Shoulders rolled, something cracking before he let out a slight huff of air.]

Raw Head.

[Oh sure, he knew of the piece of folklore just due to where he grew up. Not a very popular one, but something the older folks liked to toss around. Changed place to place.]

[chatwithdeath]

Huh... can't say I'm familiar with it. Not a character that hunts witches I hope.

[She couldn't think of any other reason why he might follow her. She knows others had issues with their essence giving them story-based grudges.]

[steadypulse]

Old American folklore, and no. Only person they really liked was a witch- old woman who made potions to heal people, studied white magic.

[Of course liked the towns people that gave the old hog scraps, but-]

Witch was the easiest term for what the old woman was, too. Wasn't wrong considering how the story went either.]

Her best friend.

[chatwithdeath]

I see. I didn't grow up in America.

[And that's all she would say on that topic. For now, focus on the latter half - the part with the old woman and potions.]

Ah... Well, you found the witch that brews potions. Still, I'm the Sea Witch so no white magic with the title.

IV

[cancercarcino]

Holy shit!

[Karkat had just been making his way through the forest, following his own key through the woods as it went on its merry way to whoever knows where. He hadn't been exceptionally quiet about it, but he had his sickle in hand in case he came across any wild fauna or monsters.]

[He certainly wasn't expecting the sudden snarl, or the look of some sort of monster ready to lunge at him. He leapt back at the snarl, damn near tripping over his own feet as he did, but he managed to keep hold of his sickle in the scramble.]

[What the fuck was that?! They said there was no monsters here!!]

[steadypulse]

[Ears kept folded back, chin lifted as he watched the-

... Was this some kid? This looked like some kid, weapon or no weapon. Still, it was enough that had him rising to his feet, the cloven hooves sinking in to the ground enough there would be clear prints left behind, his own bag's drawstring tugged to close and make sure nothing he'd been picking would fall from the movement.]

Do you know where you're going?

[A growl still in his voice, shoulders rolling as he tipped his head. 'Visor' making it difficult to tell exactly where he was looking.]

Traipsing through the woods isn't the brightest of ideas.

[cancercarcino]

[Wait... was this some sort of human? It was hard to tell with the visor and mask and... were those hooves??]

[Still, despite the shock he felt, the comment has him frowning. He gets into a defensive stance, glaring at the not!human.]

I'm sorry, did I miss the memo where some fucking highblood developed acute think pan damage, died, and made you keeper of the forest?? And do you think I'd even be in here if I didn't have to be??

[steadypulse]

[Those were definitely hooves.

Really, even with the mask and visor the fact that there was a flat look being leveled at what he was going to stick right in to the 'kid' category very firmly. Unimpressed, hand rested against his hip as those claws rested against the fabric of his pants.]

Yeah.

[Flatly. Just one simple word.]

[cancercarcino]

Yeah? That's all you have to say for yourself? Yeah?? What kind of fucking answer even is that?! Is your species naturally just stupid, or are you like me and your transformation permanently sap your sponge from all of it's comprehension functionality??

[Is he getting irritated and angry for no reason? Yes. But part of his anger stems from his nervousness (because getting mad at the thing that might possibly eat you was logical, right?) and really, he asked two separate questions, and all he got was a yeah?? Who even answers like that?]

[steadypulse]

Only answer you're owed, kid.

[After scaring the shit out of him, and very obviously so? Apparently yes, that was all he had to say for himself with how short of fuse it seemed there was. Not that he was any better, but by Hell was he just going to stand there. With just one last glance at the spot he'd been pawing around he was already moving on.

Walking to get deeper in to the wooded area like he knew exactly where he was going.]

[cancercarcino]

Kid?

[His eyebrow twitches, and his teeth clench in anger. Oh no. If this guy thinks he can walk off, he's got another thing coming. Rather than follow his key, Karkat follows him.]

Oh sure, taking the coward's way out now that you've gone ahead and scared the lone troll, huh?? Is that a trait that humans all share? Saying a line or two and fucking off right before they receive the proper trolling they're owed? I'm going to go ahead and assume you're human, because if even though you're uglier than a cholerbears left shame globe, most beasts aren't capable of mimicking human speech.

[steadypulse]

Kid.

[Just as flatly without even turning back, that pale striped tail of his swaying as he walked rather well for someone not at all used to having hoofed feet. He got over that when he first landed like this and was too damn stubborn to let it stop him.

Still talking, huh?]

Says the one barking.

[cancercarcino]

Yeah, well at least I'm troll enough to not walk away like a scared little bulgelick just because I can't handle a few choice words thrown my way!

[He'd keep going, but at this point Jack is already well off into the forest. Karkat growls, before turning back to his key.]

Fucking whatever. I have more important things to do.

[Especially since this key is going off in another random direction! He'll chase after it, and no doubt Jack could hear Karkat trudging through the underbrush, cursing under his breath as he goes.]

[Eventually, however, Jack may notice that key floating nearby, following in the direction Jack is going. It's not long before more rustling is heard, and then a familiar face pushes its way through the underbrush.]

...Are you fucking kidding me?! Why the hell are you following me??

[steadypulse]

[All the more barking that really wasn't that important, and all the more reason he kept walking on his way. Not his business, didn't care. Kid got himself in to any trouble he could find his own way out.

That key was noticed, sitting on his hooves as he was digging up a few plant roots, tucking them carefully in to the pouch attached to his belt. An ear flicked back-

And his attention was back at carefully picking those roots from the bit of ground he'd dug in to.]

If I was following, I'd be behind you, not in front. That's how following works, kid.

[cancercarcino]

Then you got ahead of me somehow! Why else are you here with my key??

[He points to the key, as if it's proof of Jack's supposed guilt.]