Test Drive: April 2020

[storyevents]

Test Drive: April 2020—

§ 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, or alter components to a slightly different scenario (ex, instead of fighting Erasers in a story setting, it could in the Index or different monsters within the Index)..
  
  
• Don't forget to refer to the Game Info for how the mechanics work.
  
  
• Public Registration will open May 3rd, but anyone with an invite and current players can register at any time. Claims will open April 26th.

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. Spring Has Sprung! It's spring in the Index, which means the city is decked out for more holidays! Sakura and other flowering trees scatter petals into the gentle breeze, streamers and banners in bright pastels hang from the lampposts and in shop windows, and best of all, specials on candy! However, some of this decoration magic is spreading all over. Some may suddenly find themselves with flower petals raining down upon them as if to give them a more "refreshing, romantic" effect, though sometimes instead of a gentle shower it's more like a raging storm (hopefully none of them are thorny roses). Buildings are suddenly made of chocolate or dyed random colors that glitter and sparkle in the sun, blinding those who walk past. Hopefully that chocolate doesn't melt. And some will find themselves sporting rabbit ears. They're "real" for about an hour before they turn into fake headbands, but fake or real, the ears can twitch and move.
     
     
  2. Rabbits Can Multiply. Some people might stumble across a chocolate egg. It might be in your winnings if you participated in the egg hunt, on your kitchen counter, placed really obviously on the bench next to you after feeling someone tap your shoulder. In any case, the egg soon hatches into an adorable little chocolate bunny—that quickly starts to eat everything in sight and multiplies like, well, a proverbial rabbit. One rabbit chowing down someone's garden or restaurant inventory is easy to handle, but not five or more. The little menaces seem to distinctly avoid carrots, though. Maybe whacking them on the head with one or spraying them with carrot juice will get rid of them. You can use heat to melt them, but would you really want to scar the children like that?
     
     
  3. Magic Jumping Jelly Beans. Special jelly beans are being handed out to everyone, children in particular. They come in all different flavors and colors and are quite tasty. The only problem is catching them all. When not contained in special, magical plastic eggs, the jelly beans will jump out and bounce around here and there and everywhere without any care. A handful is amusing, but when an entire box or cart full of them is accidentally knocked over and entire rooms or streets are filled with them...it's a problem. Traffic is blocked, eyes are at risk, and those little things can hurt when flying at high speeds. Whether it's grabbing and shoving them back into the eggs, smashing or burning them, or simply eating them, find a way to beat back the beans before they cause serious bodily harm or property damage.
  
  
• 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. Jack and the Beanstalk. The classic tale of a young boy who climbs up the magic beanstalk to discover the giant's castle. Aspects are requested to help restore this story and are given a few tasks to fulfill. First they must scale up the current, contaminated beanstalk to help clear out the Erasers and other monsters lurking. Then a few select souls must reenact key scenes so that the Storyteller can rewrite the story. Finally they must help chop down the beanstalk so that a newer one can be grown.

• A. Up the Beanstalk. The beanstalk is a twisting rotting mess that leads up to dark, stormy clouds. But it is up this beanstalk they must climb and try to not only create a safer passage for those involved, but to keep it from falling down prematurely as it is the only way up to the giant's castle in the sky. There are several large leaves that look as if they could be safe platforms, but be wary—some are actually venus flytraps in disguise and will snap close if triggered. There are also numerous Erasers and hostile creatures in the form of varying insects. A few beans and pea pods hang off its sides and they can be used as 1) nourishment and remedies, 2) thrown to create safe platforms, 3) sticky explosives against hostile creatures.
  
  
• B. Dealing with Giants. There are two many scenes to pick from. For each, characters will take on one of the two roles, but it's only in name and appearance only. How they act is all up to them. There is no script, just a basic guideline on the setup and potential goal, but how it happens and how they get there doesn't matter. They can be serious in their role or just go completely off script. Each one has a costume: Jack, (Princess) Harp, and the Giant. (Note: characters do retain their Aspect abilities as well as temporarily gain some from their scene roles.):
  
  
  1. Jack and (Princess) Harp: Sneaking Past the Giant. It's a stealth co-op mission to get through an extreme obstacle course without waking the Blot giant. Think Ninja Warrior obstacles and traps. (Princess) Harp is transformed into an actual harp with their head and arms the only movable original part of the person. Fortunately they are small enough to be carried, but be careful to not let any of the string snap! Don't wake the giant or they will get Fee Fi Fo Stomped.
     
     
  2. Jack and the Giant: Confrontation. Despite their best efforts, the giant is able to catch up to Jack and impede his escape. Jack must now find a way to get past the giant, and it's up to the one who plays the giant to determine the method. Will the giant be talked into letting Jack go peacefully? Perhaps if Jack traded the harp? Solve a few riddles? Jack uses his wiles to somehow distract and sneak past? Will it come to a fight? Or perhaps another method? (Note: Jack will have a toy harp as a prop.)
  
  
• C. Chop the Beanstalk. Once everyone is down safely, it's time to chop this giant beanstalk before more threats come down. It's very thick, not to mention riddled with obstacles like peashooter-pods, pome-grenades filled with alarmingly red sticky juice, spiky, stinky durian bombs, and worst of all, the SQUASH! Some chainsaws are provided, but there are other ways to help weaken it via Essence abilities. Those who have affinity with plants can perhaps coax it to soften itself. Others could try cursing it to wilt, and there are of course the elements to use against it (fire is most effective). Watch out for the various critters that will drop down in attempt to defend it, as well as the beanstalk's other defenses.

¶ III. Request Board: Creature Handling. People aren't the only ones displaced due to the Story Eater's destruction. A variety of creatures from various fairy tales and stories have sought shelter within the Index, and have for the most part been contained away from the main city. However, not all creatures are friendly, and some do escape, whether on their own or by those with ill intentions. While it is preferred to keep every creature safe and alive, the safety of not only the people but also other creatures and the Index itself is paramount. Lethal force should only be used when absolutely necessary. Although some requests specify certain types of individuals best suited for the task, anyone with comparable skills or alternative methods can participate. With everyone needing to learn how to use their new Essence abilities, these offer a perfect opportunity to test them out.

1. REQUEST: TRACKERS, HUNTERS, ANYONE WHO CAN COMMUNE OR UNDERSTAND THE FORESTS. A herd of unicorns is missing and must be found immediately! Poachers are known to trap and cut their horns to be sold on the black market as well as smuggling them to other stories to be sold. This is highly illegal and harmful for the creature. Please find and return them before they are harmed! If you spot a poacher, you have permission to capture them and take them to law enforcement.
   
   
2. REQUEST: WARRIORS, MAGES, BEAST TAMERS, TRACKERS. A large cerberus was spotted roaming near some ranches set by the mountains. Normally they keep to themselves, but this one is a young male likely looking for new territory to claim and drawn to the livestock. No humans have been harmed, but we want to keep it that way. Partners and groups must have at least one person capable of tracking it down. We wish to drive away the cerberus rather than outright kill it, but it can be unpredictable. If it cannot be driven off or knocked unconscious, then permission is granted for its destruction. Be wary of its three heads—it is capable of harnessing the three main elements: fire, water, and wind.
   
   
3. REQUEST: BARDS, MUSICIANS, CHARMERS. Because of the recent incidents, many of the more timid creatures and farm animals are nervous and won't settle down. Many have wedged themselves in odd hiding places and just won't come out, while others ceaselessly stampede through the spring fields and trample the crops! Music will help calm them down, especially duets, and they are also fans of musical numbers. However if music isn't enough, perhaps a sleeping spell of some kind will do.

¶ 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

Steelbeak | DuckTales (2017) | Don Quixote

[itsasteel]

[Here we have one huge anthropomorphic rooster with a steel beak, steel chest plating over his neat suit and a helmet with his comb sticking out the top. He's also holding a lance. He's got a very heroic Essence.]


1. Essence Tales (Index)

[Alright, so Steelbeak knows he's got the essence of Don Quixote. Trouble is, he does not really know what that means. There's some vague shreds of information in the back of his head- something about Quixote being a valiant, chivalrous knight who always saves everyone in need and who's fought giants, enchanters, things like that. Saving people is not at all his thing, but fighting? That, he can do. And being fully devoted to a cause, he can definitely sympathize with.

He needs the details, which means he needs to visit one of his least favorite places in any world: the library. (brrr.) He's sitting at one of the tables, the book of Don Quixote in one hand, vocalizing his outrage as he reads.]

Hey! This can't be right! What kinda hack wrote this? “His wits quite gone”? “Madman”?! [Silence? In a library? Never! He's smacking a fist down on the table.] That's making it sound like he was crazy! Or st- … Stupid...!


2. Essence Practice (Index)

[There's a very idle, drifting notion in Steelbeak's mind that having Don Quixote's essence means he can do magic now. Which is weird, because magic is the sort of thing that very few people could do in his own world and he was definitely not one of those people. Still, he's convinced Don Quixote was a totally knowledgeable, totally competent healer and that means he must be too. He just needs to test it. Which means he needs a guinea pig.

Now he's wandering the streets of the Index, stopping anyone he spots in their tracks.]

You! Yeah, you! Are you hurt? Do you need some healing magic? [Alas, that resident he grabbed by the arm is not in need of his services.] No? Well, what if I punch ya real quick? I just gotta try-

[Wow that person sure can run all of a sudden. Time to try someone else, like your character. (Beware, he does have magic, but it doesn't heal. It just makes a character sick(er).)]

Hey, how 'bout you?


3. Versus the Giant

[Now this? This is clearly what he was put in this world to do! Watch out, fearsome giant! Don Quixote- Don Steelxote-- 'Jack' is here to bring this story to a conclusion. Talking? Sneaking? None of that is considered as an option. The way Steelbeak sees it, there's only one way to settle the confrontation and that is to fight. He draws his lance and points it directly up at the giant's face.]

Hey tiny! You're done for! [A second's hesitation, then he realizes that wasn't at all how a chivalrous hero talks. So he lowers his voice and tries again, this time with more of a dramatic flair.] I mean... Fly not, foul being, for a single knight attacks you! Though you flourish more arms than the giant Briareus, ya have to reckon with me!

[nailed it.]

1

[lifesa_witch]

[He is three shouts away from having a book thrown at his face.

She's reading - or now struggling to - at a nearby table, grumbling.]

Would you shut up? Some of us are actually trying to read!

[itsasteel]

[Wow, is he being yelled at? In a library? For shame, madam. He's just going to yell right back, and you can bet the volume is three times louder than Magica's.]

So? Nobody's forcing ya to read in here! Libraries let you take a book outside, you know!

[lifesa_witch]

[he is now two shouts away.]

I came to the library because it's supposed to be a place of peace and quiet, and away from all the idiots outside.

[itsasteel]

If it's supposed to be a place of peace of quiet, why're you picking a fight with a stranger?

[Flawless logic. Nothing wrong here.]

[lifesa_witch]

[One shout away.]

Because YOU were NOT being quiet!

[She inhales sharply, then closes her book. She detests helping, but if it makes him hush...]

Look. What got you so upset in the first place?

[itsasteel]

[Whaaat? He doesn't remember not being quiet. Didn't happen.]

Upset? I'm not upset. I'm outraged...! [He holds up his own book, showing off the big glossy title of Don Quixote.] Whoever wrote this got it all wrong! I thought libraries were supposed to have... ya know, facts.

[lifesa_witch]

[She gets up in order to take a closer look at the book.]

Don Quixote... can't say I've heard of it. But let me guess, that's your Essence?

[She then waves a dismissive hand.]

Don't put any stock into what we were assigned. I've known complete fools who were somehow given the Essences of wise ones. Mine is a farce as well! Circe could have been a great sorceress, but nooo, she fell into the world's most pathetic weakness... love.

[itsasteel]

[If she's never heard of it, she definitely not going to get a closer look at the book. The last thing he needs is more people thinking Don Quixote was a nutjob when he totally wasn't.]

Love? Feh, that is pretty pointless. So how'd her story end? Did she get married and live happily ever after, or somethin' sappy like that?

[lifesa_witch]

[Derisive snort!]

Of course not. In fairy tales, witches and sorceresses never get happy endings.

[Reason one of many why she hates the damn things.]

Once the man she fell for got what he needed from her, he ditched her.

[... Technically true by the barest of margins. Barest.]

[itsasteel]

Really? I thought love was supposed to conquer everything in fairy tales. I mean, heh, it's not true, but that's the lie they tell kids.

[More importantly, where can he find more of these dark fairy tales where innocent sorceresses get dumped? He is intrigued.]

2

[outofyourshadow]

[ Lena just happens to walk by as someone else is making a mad dash in the opposite direction. That's all she needs to know, really. ]

Uh, no thanks.

[itsasteel]

[Steelbeak is used to people running from him, honestly. He doesn't take it personally, he's just a bit frustrated because he needs them to stand still and listen to him. That's why he'll make sure to try and block Lena's path in case she tries to move by him.]

Are ya sure? You don't even have a papercut or anything? Stubbed toe? Sore beak?

[outofyourshadow]

[ She had been starting to go around him, but steps back when he blocks her way. With a frown, she holds up her hands to show that she's all right. ]

Nope. All good here.

[itsasteel]

[A few blinks, then he hangs his head and curls his fists with frustration.]

Aaagh! I'm never gonna get to try my healing magic like this!

[outofyourshadow]

[ She can't help feeling a little bad for him about that. But what could she do about it? ]

...Well, hey. I'm sure there's someone in town that might need a bit of healing. You just need to keep an eye out.

[itsasteel]

Ooor... poke an eye out?

[Is he kidding or is he serious? It'll be quite hard to tell from his grin alone. (He is serious, though.)]

[outofyourshadow]

[ She can't really tell or not if he's serious, so she's going to err on the side of caution for now. ]

I seriously doubt people will let you get near them again if you do that.

[itsasteel]

Hmm...

[He crosses his arms over his chest, trying to weigh out the pros and cons. Depending on who it is, he could care less whether he'll be allowed to get near this guinea pig later. Still, he probably shouldn't be picking fights on his first day. He's been warned about drawing attention to himself before.]

So I gotta wait for someone else to poke someone's eye out? That could take forever!

[outofyourshadow]

Probably not as long as you think.

[ She nods her head for him to follow as she starts to head into town. ]

There's always something going on, you just gotta know how to look.

3

[turbodew]

[ Maybe it's a good thing that Dewey doesn't recognize the rooster standing before him taking on the role of the "good guy". It could possibly make things less awkward for Steelbeak or just more confusing for both of them.

In order to make himself look taller, he's totally standing on top of a table and has extra long pants on to hide his short legs. ]

Woah, I only understood like... half of that but I'm pretty sure you're the one breaking into my house and stealing my things here.

[itsasteel]

[Steelbeak does recognize this kid, but as that whole incident at Funso's and the lighthouse isn't being acknowledged, he'll just keep quiet about it. It's no skin off his back. Besides, there's giant slaying to be done!]

Your house? Hark, a foul giant is not deserving of a home, nor of wealth which belongs to humanity! You will surrender your harp, as well as your golden goose, as well as your gold coins! ...And that neat clock over there, I want that too. [This is one greedy Jack, right here.] Should you fail to yield, I'll smite ya real good!

2

[talkyourwayout]

[Louie takes a step back as he stares at Steelbeak.]

Hard pass...? Seriously, who's gonna just let you beat them up so you can fix them, that's stupid.

[itsasteel]

I'm not STUPID!

[As is the norm, those words were uttered in an outraged, squeaky scream. Following that, there's a good five seconds where Steelbeak just kinda stares Louie down, trying to figure out if this kid is the same one from Funso's. But nah, it couldn't be. That one was wearing a blue shirt, this one is wearing a green hoodie. Totally different.]

How else am I supposed to test my healing magic? Jeesh!

[talkyourwayout]

[Well that sure seems like a hot-button issue to this guy. Louie's just going to mentally file that away, mostly for precautionary reasons... But it could come in handy, too. You never know.]

H'oh boy...

I don't know, just find someone who's already hurt.