Test Drive: September 2020

[storyevents]

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!

Comments

[opportunitycosts]

Ribbit.

[She's ignoring him, huh. Well her plan is sound so he'll just wait quietly...




Of course not. He'll duck inside the bag and as she tries to converse with the shopkeeper, he'll make occasional loud obnoxious ribbit and croaking sounds. It's one of those disturbances that happens just enough to be bothersome, especially when he times it to interrupt her whenever she tries to speak.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[The entire time she speaks with the shopkeeper she's gritting her teeth, laughing weakly, and constantly apologizing for her, uh, pet. And occasionally jostling the bag as a warning. All the while resisting the urge to fling this frog so hard it enters another dimension entirely.

Deep breaths, Leia.

It's a struggle, but she manages to get the information she's looking for. Yes, there's a library nearby. And she's got directions and a map.

But unfortunately she has the most annoying frog in the entire known universe and it's taking every ounce of willpower she has to not shake this frog senseless. What's worse, is that she is almost certain this frog really does understand her and is acting out of spite, for some reason.

Call it another hunch. And her reporter's instincts are never wrong.

The second she exits the shop, she addresses her satchel with the obnoxious occupant inside.]

Forget the cat, I'm pretty sure frogs are considered a delicacy in some places, so unless you wanna be added to a menu, I suggest you keep your frog-mouth shut.

[Does she look crazy? Talking into her satchel in the middle of the street.]

[opportunitycosts]

[She probably does look crazy, and is this all part of Alvin's plan? Maybe.

He'll just poke his head towards the opening juuuust enough so that she can see his cute froggy eyes as he gives her an actual smile.]

Ribbit.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Sure enough, across the street a mother quickly hurries her child away from the strange girl issuing threats into her ribbiting satchel.

Leia sighs, hanging her shoulders, then throws another glance into her satchel when she hears him.]

Your cute little froggy eyes aren't going to work on me.

[Except they kind of are.]

Anyhow, in case you didn't hear over all the noise you were making, we're heading to the library now.

[She's also now fully embraced addressing him as if he were a person. What a first day this has been. She idly wonders if Alvin is having better luck.]

[opportunitycosts]

Ribbit~ ♫

[Just a sound of agreement as he sticks his head a little more so that he can look around. There's not much else he can do except enjoy the ride and try to get some idea of the city they're now traversing in.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Much better.

Okay.

She pulls out the map just to check it over, though the shopkeeper pointed out the right direction to take, but it doesn't hurt to get her bearings. Luckily it's not far, and hopefully she finds enough to help her figure things out.

So they set off, the incessant frog noises becoming less incessant. And eventually she removes him from the satchel, placing him onto her shoulder, if he chooses to behave, of course.

And it's not too much longer before they happen upon the Grand Library. Which, somehow, looks even larger on the inside than it does the outside. Probably because of the sheer amount of books that cover every square inch of the walls. Her eyes dart from one bookshelf to the next, already feeling overwhelmed.]

Jeez... Where to start?

[opportunitycosts]

[He will be good, for now. It would be in his best interest to work with Leia since he's still stuck as a frog and maybe he could learn something. It's an interesting view from her shoulder, though, especially as small as he is.

...And he feels even smaller upon seeing all those shelves and books. He really hopes he doesn't get flattened by one.

But he's going to try and be helpful for once. Looking around, he pokes her choke before pointing towards what looks like the help desk and a card catalogue.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

Oh, right, I didn't even see that there. [too fixated on the massive shelves. she glances at him.] Finally decided to be helpful, huh? Well, thanks!

[It's important to reward good behaviour in pets, so she pets his tiny head.]

[opportunitycosts]

[Is she really...petting his head...

...You know, he's just going to allow it and just bank this for future blackmail later. Somehow. So just a neutral "ribbit" before he wait for her to mosey on over there.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[So she makes her way to the help desk and begins looking through the directory. At first she's mesmerized by the amount of stories she sees, but that quickly fades, impatience kicking in, and she finds the information of the book her Essence is from.

There. The Frog Prince.

She grabs a paper and something to write with, jotting down where in the library the book is located, and then finding a map... because this place is too massive and the location details are still a bit confusing.

After a few minutes she has all the information she needs and where she needs to go. Which is, thankfully, not far from the help desk.

Making her way over to the shelf, she grabs a ladder nearby, pushes it closer to where the book is, climbs it, and manages to retrieve the book.

That wasn't so bad.]

Found it! Now to find a place to sit down and flip through this.

[opportunitycosts]

[By the time she finally gets to the book, Alvin had actually slipped back into the bag and started dozing off. Could anyone blame him? He's actually had a rather stressful start in this place, and now that he's with Leia, he actually feels a little... Well, "safe" is one way to put it. He at least knows he can trust her...mostly. Enough to know that his life won't be in any immediate danger.

So yep, quiet, sleeping frog until she finds a place to sit and set down the bag.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[A stark contrast from the noisy, obnoxious jerk frog she had to deal with earlier.

She lets him sleep.

And comes down from the ladder, having spotted a place to sit and read. Ugh... too bad there's no snacks around here. Oh well.

Leia gently sets the satchel onto the table, opening it up enough so that she can see him, and starts flipping through the book. She's disappointed to see this princess, her Essence, is apparently... nothing like her. She's spoiled, and can't seem to keep her promises to the frog prince. Actually, there's a lot wrong with this story, but she suddenly happens upon something of interest and pushes her complaints aside for right now.

The Frog Prince is able to transform back into a human when kissed by the princess. Because he had actually been cursed.

Okay, kissing a frog? No problem. But could the frog she has with her actually be... a prince? Human?

She stares up at the frog that had awakened at some point and tentatively asks:]

... Uh, hey, are you actually a person?

[opportunitycosts]

[At some point Alvin had woken up and made his way out of the bag to hop onto her shoulder so that he could read...literally over her shoulder. Since he's also using this as an opportunity to gather information, he'll continue to be docile and obedient. Seeing that she had picked up the The Frog Prince however...

...

Well he already knew what his Essence was, and he could guess Leia was a princess of some sorts. And true he had felt some weird connection with her, but he didn't think anything about it because they already knew each other.

But don't tell him he felt that weird twinge was because Leia was actually the princess from the same story!?

He feels a headache coming on.

There's no way this was going to end well.

But what could he do? There was no point in him lying and he couldn't exactly tell her who he was. So he just sighs, points to his crown, and nods.]

Ribbit.

[That might have sounded like a "Duh."]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Yeah, suddenly having second thoughts.]

Does this mean I have to kiss you? [sure, fine, she could accept that, but.] And is this even a good idea? Maybe you were cursed for a reason.

[Like he's some evil tyrant hell bent on destroying the world and that's what she will be unknowingly unleashing the second he returns to his true form...]

[opportunitycosts]

[There's just an eye roll before he hops down onto the book. He points at the illustration of the frog and then himself.]

Ribbit.

["That's me, I'm supposed to be the frog prince or whatever."

But...

....

...

For now he just stares at her with a matching look of unwillingness. Getting a kiss from Leia would be weird. He should probably try to tell her it's him again. But how?? He can't write but..

AH.

Suddenly his expression changes and he quickly waves at her as if to get her attention before he points at two different words in the book:

"It's" and "me"

If she can grasp what he's doing, he should be able to continue.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[The kissing thing is a bit of a bummer, But it's... a frog. Okay, yeah, a person transformed into a frog, but she's kissing a frog.

It's just. A frog.

A frog that is currently trying to play charades or dance or... something. Whatever he's trying to tell her, this will be easier if he just talks.

She sighs, only half paying attention to him.]

Yeah, I get it, I don't wanna do this either, but communicating is gonna be a heck of a lot easier once you can talk.

[Really, at this point, she just wants to get this over with. And the first thing she's going to do? Let this guy have it for being such a royal pain.]

I'll just kiss the top of your head. That's not too bad, right? It should still count.

[So if he's ready...]

[opportunitycosts]

[He just stares at her.

HE WAS TRYING TO COMMUNICATE!

LEIA HOW COULD YOU NOT SEE HIS VERY CLEAR SIGNALING!!!

(It probably wasn't that clear at all, really. After all, frog.)

So he just sighs and sits down on all fours and looks up at her before tilting the top of his head to her.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

Okay, here it goes--

[It's just a frog.

What's the worst that could happen?

Also, does this mean because he is connected to her Essence that they should remain close? ... Eh, one thing at a time.

So, after a moment of hesitation, she leans forward and gently, quickly places a kiss atop the little frog's head.]

[opportunitycosts]

[In hindsight, he probably should have gotten off the table before she did this. Because after she kisses the top of his head, there is a puff of a smoke and—]

Whoa—!

[He immediately falls off the table and is sprawled over the floor. Ow.]

1/2

[ragingscoopaholic]

[She stares in wide-eyed disbelief at the transformation before her. Inwardly, however, about several emotions flood through her at once. The most prominent is anger- everything from him jumping onto her leg, sticking his tongue to her face, and then mocking her. She's annoyed, bewildered, embarrassed... but what she finally lands on is...

Amusement.

Though trying her best to contain it, a few sputters and snorts slipping free, only mere seconds pass of that shocked expression on her face before she bursts into unbridled laughter.]

2/2

[ragingscoopaholic]

pffFFTT- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[And she's immediately clutching her sides as pain shoots through them, her lungs already burning from the sudden expulsion of air. Within seconds she's collapsing onto the ground, on her knees, gasping for air in-between bursts of laughter.

He's a frog!

Alvin. Is. A. Frog.

The meme has come to life.]

[opportunitycosts]

[SO MUCH DEAD EYE STARING.]

Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Princess.

[He knows she doesn't have it as bad as him, but it's still not that much better considering the circumstances. He does suppose it's fair he gets his turn since he did bust out laughing at her earlier.

Slowly he moves his legs, and it's...wow it feels so weird after being a frog. Adjusting from something small enough to fit in the palm of someone's hand to a full grown male adult is definitely a change, and since he had been stuck as a frog for quite a while it's taking him a bit. He even has to reach up to grab the table to steady himself as he tries to stand, as if afraid he might just bound up into the air instead.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Far too busy gasping for air and letting the fact that Alvin is a frog sink in, she hasn't quite realized the actual connection of their Essences. That she's the Princess to his Frog Prince. That bit of info hasn't yet hit her.

Instead she sees him struggling to stand through blurry eyes, tearing up because she'd been laughing so hard, and she tries to settle herself, taking deep breaths while remaining on the floor herself.]

Do you need some help there, Sir Hops-a-lot? [snorts.]

[Couldn't help it. He deserves it.]

[opportunitycosts]

Only if you don't choke first.

[UUUGGGGHHH.]

You have no idea what it's like being a frog.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Sounds like #firstworldproblems.]

... Is there a way to change you back?

[Asking for a friend.]