forgottentales_ooc | Test Drive: September 2020

Test Drive: September 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.
Don't forget to refer to the Game Info for how the mechanics work.
Public Registration is currently closed until further notice, but anyone with an invite and current players can register at any time. Claims will open at a later date.

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. The Commission Board is also available to choose special jobs from. (This is basically the free for all "taste of normal life" prompt.)
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.
D. Macy's, Eat Your Heart Out! To celebrate the arrival of the Aspects and all the work and help they've provided for the past two years, the local citizens are throwing a festival and are hard at work to prepare. This year they want to throw a parade and special floats are being made to reflect the five different stories that have been restored. However, things never go as planned. That's why they might desperately rope passersby- including newer Aspects- into making sure the floats don't go (completely) out of control and ruin the party before it even gets started.
1. Just Tricks no Treats. For Hollow Christmas Carol, the main feature of the float is a mechanical horse that a costumed "headless" rider will sit upon while throwing presents and candy to the crowds. The horse is also equipped to fire soft presents and candy through a special cannon equipped in its mouth. However, there is a problem—a lot of problems. For whatever reason, the mechanical horse will suddenly spring to "life" and become a buckin bronco, tossing whoever tries to sit on it. When testing the mouth cannon, it spins out of control while firing candy out like bullets. The float itself has mysterious pumpkins growing on it which need to be removed. There's also the matter of collecting enough candy and wrapping presents for the masses.
2. Fly Me to the Moon…? The Bamboo Cutter's float is decorated as a bamboo forest and there will be shows of skilled swordsmanship as they cut through designated patches to then toss out the small gems that are produced in the shoots. Volunteers for actors are needed, but what they desperately need are bakers. A giant moon cake is to be on display that will later be cut and shared among the populace at the festival. However, it's a massive endeavor and requires a lot of ingredients and several people to help prepare each section. To make things worse, someone or something keeps eating it!
3. Clammed Up. The Little Mermaid needs pearls. Lots of pearls. However, the clams they brought to help harvest them are being difficult and refuse to open. These clams are special in that they're similar to chickens—they can create a large pearl within a day or two, thus they are treated with care. But they have become spoiled and refuse to give up their goods until certain demands are met. They range from singing to them, bathing them with luxurious bath salts, and decorating their shells. Only once appeased will they hand over their beautiful pearls...only for the process needing to be repeated again.
4. Rose Parade. The fae are in charge of A Midsummer's Rose float, and a few pixies have decided to join in on the fun. Along with taking care of the living flowers and plants that form the float itself, those around the float must be wary of the pixie dust that is sometimes scattered about (on purpose). The dust can make the individual feel very giddy, as if drunk, and even have them float in the air a few feet. Waving some pollen from any flower on the float will negate the effects, but even that can be difficult given the flowers are affected too. Snapdragons and dandelions on this float act exactly as their namesakes and will get a bit "chompy" when hungry; pansies will start cowering and crying in fear; and love-lies-bleeding will lean too hard into the Shakespeare influence start wailing loud, stilted death speeches and trying to steal the show; and so on. Getting enough pollen to snap everyone out of it might require some creative thinking.
5. Shroom Magic. Although recent, those from Alice in Wonderland won't miss out! Their float is like a whimsical tapestry depicting key scenes of Alice's journey through Wonderland. They also have a little "play" zone formed with large, special bouncy mushrooms for kids to join in during the parade. However, the mushrooms are a bit too bouncy...and playful. They've suddenly sprouted legs (some are blaming the pixies) and are jumping about making a mess of things, even endangering the other floats still being built! Help wrangle the mushrooms and get them back in their place. A quick splash of a special brew will help return them to normal, but if any get on a person, then they will have some growth and shrinking problems. There are also warnings to not consume either the mushrooms or the drink as they can cause serious hallucinations and delusions. For some reason people are not heeding that warning, so taking care of the afflicted by bringing them to nearby healers is requested as well.

¶ II. It's Getting a Little Mad Here. Things to get a little weird once the autumn season rolls in and everyone starts getting ready for the spooky season, but things have gotten downright crazy and even dangerous. Normally tame creatures are behaving erratically and inanimate objects are suddenly coming to life. There are also reports of strange lightning appearing somewhere deep in the dark forests outside the Index. Help handle and investigate these strange incidents!

A. Hog Wild. Although not the original "Three Little Pigs," pig triplets are not uncommon in town and many have followed their "role models" and turned to construction. However, for some reason all of these construction pig workers have taken on a more destructive route and have started to demolish everything! With various tools including jackhammers and even a wrecking ball, these pigs mean business. Stop them before they destroy more of the city!
B. Gobble Gobble . The dreadful Swan Princess has returned! And this time she has an army of birds to aid in her wreaking havoc across the Index! Ducks locking people in their outhouses, chickens gobbling up all the corn in the fields, loons untying boats so they drift off docks, chaos everywhere! Worst of all is the princess's steed, a massive turkey the size of a horse, running through the streets and frightening all with its gobble! Those facing the giant turkey must either dress up as something enticing to try and "woo" it away (an attractive turkey, a big ear of corn, a giant moth for some reason…) OR ditch the costumes and hunt it down to add to the anniversary feast.
C. Stoned. Late at night, strange creaking sounds can be heard along the rooftops and strange shadows cover the night sky. It's on the second night that the source is revealed to be strange, large stone gargoyles that have perched atop random buildings. Some partake in late night revelry, drinking and carousing until right before dawn. Others take to the streets and behave like thugs, harassing and threatening hapless late night workers. Fortunately none have grown violent, but concerns are there. They only appear at night, arriving once the sun sets and leaving before the sun rises. It has been found that those caught in the sun will harden and are unable to move, making it easier to capture and, in some cases, destroy. It's uncertain as to whether the gargoyles are "living" creatures or inanimate stone structures magicked to "life."
D. Wayward Woods. Those who follow the departing gargoyles will discover them heading deep into the dark woods, known for the dangerous beasts that lurk within. Those strong enough will spot a castle in the distance, but no matter how hard they try they cannot seem to reach it, thwarted by a magical fog and moving trees that disorient all who approach by ground or air. But lightning is constantly seen striking in the vicinity and the occasional maniacal laugh.

¶ 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. The Princess and the Frog. A classic tale of a prince saved by the kiss of the beautiful princess. Or thrown into a wall. Or just has to sleep on a pillow. Obviously this story has a loooot of versions, one more can't hurt, right?
1. A Frog's Life For Me. Somehow things got a little mixed up—it seems that everyone has been turned into a frog of various species and are stuck in a random castle. Fortunately, there is a cure! —Aside from finding a princess to give a kiss (or try kissing each other, who knows it could work), a special potion bottle rests on a shelf in the adjacent room, so it shouldn't be too difficult to recover, right? Well, maybe if there wasn't a weird spiny half-goblin-half-hedgehog resting in the room. Sneak past it to get the potion!
2. Just a Little Smooch? All right, things have been properly sorted and the main characters, the Frog Prince and the Princess have been cast. Of course, the Frog Prince is really a frog, not in a costume. Although a "true love's kiss" is the traditional means to break the curse, there are some other options: 1) creating a potion using less than flavorful ingredients based on a frog's natural diet (mmm flies); 2) traversing through the nearby swamps to find special moss illuminated by a firefly's bulb for the frog to roll through (beware the wildlife, both native and Eraser form); 3) defeating the giant snake lurking in the swamp's waters and smearing its venom all over the frog's hide (but the Princess should not touch it or they will be paralyzed); or 4) try some of the other story methods, such as chucking the frog into a wall.
3. I Object! Somehow, the curse has been broken, and the prince and princess are set to wed! But before that can happen, the Aspects have to deal with the Blot of Iron Henry, the Frog Prince's most faithful servant. The Story Eater's corrupted him into a raving fanboy who refuses to let his Prince-sempai marry anyone but him! It's up to the Aspects (dressed either as the happy couple or as part of the wedding parties) to subdue the wedding crasher so the party can continue! Be warned, though, Iron Henry will try to fight back by throwing magical iron bands from his heart.
  - Scene Revisit. On future revisits, instead of a Blot Iron Henry, Aspects are cast into the role alongside a Frog Prince or the Princess. Iron Henry's goal is "win back" his prince, thus Iron Henry must either convince the Frog Prince to let him remain at his side (however that is interpreted) or must face off the Princess who won't let her Prince go so easily (or will she?). Of course...everyone has two hands.
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That gets an eyeroll out of Ren. "If you are who I think you are, you can come up with better insults than that."

The only explanation he can think of is that his shadow is here. It shouldn't be possible 'cause this isn't the Metaverse, yet he can't think of anything else.

Still, he looks around to try to find the source of the voice.

Oh? Has Ren already guessed who he is? That certainly puts a damper on the fun of this experimentation. Not that Akechi will reveal his cards right away. Maybe it's just a fluke. Ren is smart but he's not omnipresent.

"Really? Isn't using your voice already an insult to myself enough as it is?"

The voice seems to bounce from one place to another, never having a real location. When Ren seems close to the laughter, it chances direction.

Ren hasn't been around long enough to consider someone with powers using a trick like this.

Huh, that's an odd response. Maybe he's not his shadow, but he has to be sure.

"Why, would you rather speak to me instead? I know from experience how chatty a person's shadow can be. I imagine moreso if they met their other self."

Not an outright accusation, but it might as well be.

Haha, oh he had missed this little game of cat and mouse they tended to play. Even if Ren had no idea he was in it as of this moment.

"It's quite amusing, really, watching you scramble from one place to another, unable to figure out what's going on."

Not a true reply back, simply gauging to see how he'd react.

Honestly Ren has been missing Akechi ever since they took down Maruki. Yes it was the false one that Maruki created, but it still hurt to have to let him go in order to restore things back to normal.

"Then perhaps I need to take things up a notch."

He summons his bow and arrow, getting ready to start shooting. Sure he has no idea where Akechi is, but hopefully the threat of getting shot by arrows might force his hand.

"Either you come out now or I will start shooting! That's your only warning."

He tries to see if there's even a hint of something to target since obviously he can't rely on his hearing.

...Excuse him,, but what the fuck?! The voices are great, and watching Ren get to the point where he threatens bodily harm is ~~kinda sexy~~ exhilarating, but he'd recognize that bow style anywhere.

The nerve of him to steal HIS powers! The laughter stops and he cranks up his own guns.

"Threatening violence? How very un-Phantom-Thief-like." The voices are laced with so much sarcasm they were almost dripping. "Has being alone by yourself changed a few screws in your head? I'm even more disappointed."

There is movement, right atop of the rooftop nearby.

For a second, a chill runs down his spine hearing the familiar click of a gun. Great. Now he's really missing his gun.

"Says the guy that's stalking me from the shadows." Wait a minute. Something about that line sounds like--

He sees that movement and takes his chance. Firing an arrow towards Akechi, or at least where he thinks he is.

A good guess, really. The arrow strikes true, grabbing part of Akechi's new costume, and forcing him backwards as it digs itself into the roof.

Well now he's properly pissed, the voice stops so he can pull out the arrow, giving Ren a very good look as he jumps down from the building and moves closer to him. Now the voice is normal again.

"Is this the power they decided to give you? They must love irony."

So it is him.

"Akechi."

Ren tries his best to keep himself calm despite several emotions coming up to the surface. Much like when Akechi appeared again and turning himself to Sae in Ren's place.

He makes the bow and arrow disappear, and readjusts his hat. All the while trying to keep a poker face up.

"Yeah I wasn't expecting to get an essence of one of your personas. Would have chosen Arsene myself if I could choose."

Though part of him wondered what it would have been like if he had gotten Loki instead.

"What about you? What's yours?" He's not exactly familiar with american comics, especially ones from the golden age.

"Expecting someone else?"

Of course he has to make a show of it. That's how he is, in a cape or not.

"Leggings or a top hat and monocle, that would also have been amusing, I must say."

Akechi might have strangled him, for one.

"The Shadow." The name would sound kinda stupid in any other context, but Akechi somehow made it work. "A radio, movie and comic book character. You could almost think of him akin to an early version of Cake Knight or Ogon Bat."

"I had suspected my shadow at first but then I realized it was you."

He wouldn't be Akechi if he didn't show off. It's what makes him ~~attractive~~ annoying.

"I would pull it off better than you could."

No wonder he had no idea. Despite the fact that Cake Knight Rises is one of his favorite movies. "I see. I thought something about your design seemed a tiny bit familiar."

"You're too easy to fool."

Oh please Akechi, it's not like you'd expect someone who is technically 'dead' to come back to life and start playing around with powers that include the other's voice. Besides, Ren is right ~~he is very attractive~~ of course he wouldn't pass a chance to show off against his rival.

"Hmph. A pity that I cannot prove you wrong currently due to the powers of this world."

He twists around so that the cape catches the wind and enhance his grandiose appearance.

"I will say this, the more I'm learning about him, the more I feel we might be kindred spirits."

Is he nerding out? A little.

Edited 2020-09-28 01:09 (UTC)

"We could always pay someone to make us costumes later." Sewing is one of the few skills Ren does not have.

Ren's own cape blows in the wind as well, but it's not as huge or long as Akechi's.

He raises an eyebrow at that last part. "Oh? How so?" He is actually kinda curious now.

"Why bother? I don't mind this outfit at all..."

He lets out a laugh again before suddenly stopping.

"...seems to come with the territory."

It's definitely not as (o゜▽゜)o☆~~majestic~~ as his. But if Ren wants to know more about how great he is, it's time to nerd out properly.

"I was reading up in the Great Library," he explains before starting to walk away from where they were standing to who-knew-where. Walking was good. "It seems he was one of the earliest cases of an anti-hero. Some versions of him, he started out as a criminal, in fact before becoming a saviour for the city."

So Akechi's gonna laugh more often huh? He's not sure if that's a good thing or if that will become annoying.

Ren follows as he listens. Maybe he should hit up there later himself. "That's quite the change of heart. I wonder how similar the Shadow and Cake Knight is."

Since The Shadow was inspiration for Cake Knight.

Test Drive: September 2020

Ack I meant smooching.

I figured I just wanted to add my dumb joke haha

No worries, it's fine XD

(✿◡‿◡)

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