forgottentales_ooc | Test Drive: April 2020

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Test Drive: April 2020

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.

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.
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.
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You don't say...

[ An odd gentleman in a French noble's suit had come here to look at his own essence's story. He did succeed in finding it this time and was holding it in his hand, but he managed to get lost on the way out.

On the bright side, moments like these have a way of leading him to interesting company. ]

I should warn you, the powers you have now might not be exactly as they are in the book.

I'm very sure the girl in this story in particular didn't have any weapons in her basket, so that stands a fact before it even starts.

[The dog barked, remaining in the basket spoken of which made it doubly difficult to believe it held any sort of weapons at the moment either. Still, Alice peered down just enough from her floating perch to spot who was speaking, a hand on the book to save where she had stopped for the moment.]

I suppose these- [She lifted a foot to show off the boot on it a little better.] -don't exactly count as slippers either, but I imagine are far more comfortable.

[Made for walking and running.]

[ He steps back a few paces to get a good look at the woman. ]

Hm... [ He put a hand to his chin as he examined the boot from afar. ] A bit odd, but I agree that does seem more practical... What essence did you get, by the by?

[Silver shoes sounded all over uncomfortable in her opinion, but at least these were as comfortable as a shoe could be. They did shine like they were made of silver, however. Bit odd, all of it-]

Dorothy Gale. [She tipped the book up, so the title could be seen easily, The Wonderful Wizard of OZ.] I can't say I've heard of it before.

Neither have I...

[ He squints at the title, but nothing comes to him. Either he has never read the book before or he completely forgot... ]

And what might your name be, then? I nearly forgot about introductions.

[Meanwhile, she's just from 1875.

The book was rested back on her lap, ankles crossed after knocking a hell back against the table so it lowered back to the floor. With that done her ankles crossed.]

Bit caught up with other subjects in a library, it happens even more so in a place like this I'd expect. My name is Alice Liddell, and who might you be?

[ By coincidence, he's also from the late 1800's. Exactly what year, he can't recall... Then again he forgets a lot of things. ]

Fair, that happens to me a lot...

[ The nervous chuckle fades as the woman gives her name... Alice, was it? He can't help but look her over for any recognition but... No. There was none... ]

Luca... Balsa... My name is Luca Balsa. Pleasure to meet you, if we haven't before. [ He nods with a sheepish grin. ]

[Certainly not the young girl she'd once been the last time she'd gone to a whole and... well, a Wonderland that hadn't needed any sort of saving. Seven or eight, and so many adventures-

She hummed, because she already new how lost she could get in a world of books. Perhaps this was a little too literally, but she couldn't refuse a plea for help like that-]

A pleasure as well, Mister Luca Balsa. I can't say that we have, as far as I can recall.

Ah, good. That probably means we haven't. I was worried I might have met you in the past and completely forgotten about it...

And you're free to call me Mr. Balsa... Or just Luca, if you're not particular about etiquette.

Edited 2020-07-28 23:12 (UTC)

Some things can easily slip the mind.

[To put it politely, at the very least. Fingers curled over the top of the book, still allowing it to lay open in her lap, careful as she still was managing to be with it.]

Etiquette has it's time and place, even if that can be run away with. Mister Balsa shall do for now, I imagine.

[Only just met, seemed proper.]

They sure do, huh?

[ He shifts his weight, fiddling with the book held under his arm. ]

How are you finding this place, Miss Liddell?

[She was still... dealing with her own memory issues. Improvements now, been some hell to pay, but mostly together again. Even if a little madness were here and there-] Either held like a sponge, or like a sieve.

[The dog barked softly, glancing at him as she rested a hand on the Scottie's head, scritching behind an ear of his idly.]

Odd, but I suppose some of that could be looked at more as an... interesting sort of adventure to take on. I've certainly had my fill of chasing rabbits, however.

Edited 2020-07-29 07:47 (UTC)

Heh. I'm more envious of the sponge here, but we can't have everything.

[ There's just a tiny smidge of bittersweetness in that quirky smirk of his. At least this girl's good company. Her and her dog... But then she mentions rabbits and he gets another wave of deja vu. ]

Chasing rabbits... Well. I think we just finished with that story, so you shouldn't have to worry about that. I think.

Sometimes even a sponge can tear from absorbing too much.

[Still quite happy to be perched on the table, feet swinging just a little despite knowing such little 'fidgety' habits weren't becoming of a girl her age. Hardly mattered much now.

She did look curious, however.]

What story involves chasing rabbits? My own recent experience didn't end well.

[Poor White Rabbit, even if that was now a year ago.]

[ He does notice her fidgeting, but he doesn't seem to care. Or at the very least, he doesn't comment. It truly didn't matter that much in the grand scheme of things. ]

Hm. Something about Wonderland? It probably looks a lot different now that we've gone and rewritten it.

[ The whole process was a blur for him ~~which is great for forward dated threads like these~~ but he knew this much: ] Maybe I should inform you how "rewriting stories" works around here before I forget.

[She did very abruptly go still, her hand even freezing on the dog's head-]

... Wonderland?

[That had her off the table, standing on her own two feet, expression a little troubled as her brow furrowed. She'd just gotten- it had to be a coincidence, right? Yet—</>]

When you say chasing rabbits, did any of them happen to be white? A little time obsessed? Wearing a handsome tailcoat and not wanting to be late?

[A place where an old friend, no matter the form, might not have met a dreadful end.]

[ Oh. UH. He looks up at her with a raised brow. ]

Yes, exactly the one from the Louis Carroll novel... More or less. [ Wait... ] You seem awfully familiar with that story.

[She's no idea of a Carroll but-]

I don't know of a novel, but I'm terribly familiar with Wonderland- or at least my Wonderland as it once was, and what it may be now.

[Her own had gone through drastic changes, both to try and save herself since saving it was saving her own mind. Toto nudging his little head against the back of her arm, so at least the little dug was scooped up and held carefully in an arm.]

I take it there was likely a Cheshire Cat as well.

Your Wonderland... [ He repeats in a conflicted tone... Understanding, but still a bit confused. By now he's gotten used to magic and other odd things in the Index, but this...? ] I knew your name and situation sounded familiar, but it makes more sense if yours was some manner of parallel reality. After all, I vaguely remember a pitch black Alice calling upon us to save her story on short notice.

[ He shifts his weight, fidgeting with the book he's almost completely forgotten about. Idle chatter such as this took his focus away from his original goal. ]

I don't remember seeing a cat, but someone could have filled in for him... You might want to check with another person who was there, or better yet visit the book and see for yourself.

It's rather more likely, yes- I saved my Wonderland, and myself. [Went through hell and back for it as her mind tore apart, and was manipulated, but this-] It was being ripped to shreds along with my own mind, twisted in to something I couldn't recognize, and those I once knew as well along with it if they couldn't escape-

An inky black invader was taking over and hurrying along the destruction.... [There was a big reason she answered the plea for help, let herself be drawn here.]

Yet as I said earlier, I saved my Wonderland so it may become something new. It's terrible to think another had to face such a thing, and I may go pay a visit and ask others what happened.

[ He furrows his brow in concern. ] You and your Wonderland seem so linked together... You have my condolences, but I'm glad you managed to save it from total destruction.

[ Alas, the same cannot be said about his own mind- Or memories, rather, along with his reputation where he's from. If he could go back to a place where he could fix everything, he would do so in a heartbeat.

But at the same time, helping the Story-person fix things here was a lot better fate than rotting in prison... Where was he again? ]

Oh! Yes, you should. Perhaps I could go with you myself to see it?

[To put it very lightly-] Twice I've had to save it, and myself, but now there's time for healing. I feel more myself than I have for eleven years.

[Even if she was now a little more mad than when she's originally left the asylum a year ago. She'd fought her monsters. Still, she held her own book just under an arm and Toto held against her chest with the other.

More contemplative over this new knowledge than anything.]

If you would like to, the company may be welcome. I'm still terribly new to this place, after all.

Eleven years... Yes, that's a very good reason to rest up. I don't think we'll have to do another story for a couple of months, anyhow.

[ Mad or otherwise, that sounds like quite an ordeal. He can barely imagine what sort of disaster she's been recovering from. ]

Of course! I'll try not to get us too terribly lost, then. [ He offers a hand to help her off the table. ]

[Suffering a tragedy at the age of 8, on top of a few horrors moments before it, could do a number on anyone.]

I've much ahead of me, at the very least. This is going to be yet another adventure that I'm quite suited for whether I like it or not.

[She'd learned that lesson twice over.

Alice took that offered hand after securing Toto back in the basket, the scottie happily still popping his head up from under one of the two lids as she picked it up, leaving the book on the table.]

If it's anything like mine, getting lost is part of Wonderland.

[ Is that better or worse than having a decent life come crashing down because of one pivotal incident? Luca wouldn't know, nor would he know much about Miss Liddell's past. ]

I meant in general, [ He clarifies as he helps her down from the table, ] I believe you're in the Grand Library right now, which is in what is called the Index.

Library

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