Forgotten Tales Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
keeperoftales) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
forgottentales_ooc2019-01-01 07:00 pm
keeperoftales) wrote in forgottentales_ooc2019-01-01 07:00 pm
Entry tags:
Test Drive: January 2019
Test Drive: January 2019—
§ instructions.
Welcome to the Test Drive for Forgotten Tales! This is to help interested players "test drive" 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 vary from casual to more task focused work.
So here are a few things to keep in mind while on the test drive:
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.
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. Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Upon entering the small fairy tale, the Aspects cast into certain roles will find themselves dressed in one of these costumes with the role of one of the following: Goldilocks, Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear. Gender makes no difference—even guys could be Goldilocks and yes, they are stuck in a curly wig and dress. At least the bear heads are removable if needed. Strange attire aside, there is only the dark, foreboding forest and the decepit, old cottage. Strange growls can be heard from within the forest, so take care.
Once the beds have been made, Goldilocks must test each one, but once they lie down on the final bed, they'll fall fast asleep.
D. Angry Bears. For the most part, those playing the bears can either be assisting in the setup or just hanging around exploring or waiting for their time to go in. But once it's time, they must now go through and discover their intruder, starting with half-eaten porridge, the chairs, and finally Goldilocks. They are free to wake up the sleeping Goldilocks in any manner they deem fit, and what happens after… Well, that depends on who is actually playing the roles. Will Goldilocks just run away? Will she try to make amends? Or will a fight break out with the bears attacking? Or will Goldilocks be the one to attack??? Possibilities are endless.
E. Beware the Blots. For those who may want a little action and not interested in what's going on inside the cottage, they may find themselves on "protective" duty. Occasionally large, gruesome looking bears or girls wielding machetes will shamble out from the forest. They aren't part of the story, instead they are Blot versions of the characters and made of black ink. They are drawn to the activity inside the cottage, so best to take care of them. Fortunately they come either on their own or at most a small group and relatively easy to handle.
¶ III. Mary Had a Little Lamb. In this classic nursery rhyme, the Aspects will find themselves either on the road or in a school, and those cast as Mary or the Lamb will find themselves in appropriate costumes. For the sake of ease, a doll version of each is available to use instead. At least this is a quick little "story" and should be a straightforward restoration, right? ...Right?
Welcome to the Test Drive for Forgotten Tales! This is to help interested players "test drive" 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 vary from casual to more task focused work.
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! It's not required, but highly recommended.
- 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.
- Don't forget to refer to the Game Info for how the mechanics work.
- Feel free to join the Discord server to ask questions or request threads.
- Registration is always open.
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. Winter Wonderland. Currently the Index is covered in snow and although Christmas has passed, it's still decorated for the winter season. Festive garlands, buildings made of gingerbread, lively snowmen—it's all there.
- Gingerbread House Mayhem. Gingerbread buildings may look nice from the outside, but on the inside it's a bit of a nightmare when even the furniture and other interior decor starts transforming as well. A chimney made of marshmallows is not going to last long with a roaring fire. Gingerbread buildings also have one fatal flaw—they are absolutely delicious. And there are plenty of young children and critters ready to just take a nice giant bite out of them. Fortunately no one is going to be literally eaten out of house and home—they may have learned from Hansel and Gretel that eating too much is dangerous. But they're quick with their "eat and runs," laughing as they continue to dare each other. Stop them! —Or join them if feeling peckish.
- "Zombie" Snowmen Tag. Aspects may suddenly find themselves surrounded by a circle of snowmen, their coal eyes glowing red. When they try to move past, they may let them leave, but then eerily shuffle and slide after them. Better run, because they've been marked and a volley of snowballs are hurtling past. And if there's a giant rumbling... Don't mind that, it's just a giant snowball bouncing down the road.
- Winter Games. Can have fun without some winter games! There is the obvious snowball fight, but ever tried ice sculpting? Maybe an Aspect's essence can be of use.
- Falling Snowflakes. Everyone loves catching snowflakes. But they might enjoy it a lot less if they're almost as big as a human and essentially giant sheets of ice. Someone is deliberately jumping on the giant floating snowflakes above, making them crash down to the earth below. While there have been no fatalities thanks to the obvious and slow descent, it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured. There are many ways of stopping them, from catching the snowflakes, destroying them before they hit, or blasting them away. Just be careful to not be hit—they really do hurt. Alternatively, Aspects can go up to try and catch the perpetrator. Those who can fly will have an easier time, otherwise, time to jump on some giant snowflakes!
- Gingerbread House Mayhem. Gingerbread buildings may look nice from the outside, but on the inside it's a bit of a nightmare when even the furniture and other interior decor starts transforming as well. A chimney made of marshmallows is not going to last long with a roaring fire. Gingerbread buildings also have one fatal flaw—they are absolutely delicious. And there are plenty of young children and critters ready to just take a nice giant bite out of them. Fortunately no one is going to be literally eaten out of house and home—they may have learned from Hansel and Gretel that eating too much is dangerous. But they're quick with their "eat and runs," laughing as they continue to dare each other. Stop them! —Or join them if feeling peckish.
¶ II. Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Upon entering the small fairy tale, the Aspects cast into certain roles will find themselves dressed in one of these costumes with the role of one of the following: Goldilocks, Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear. Gender makes no difference—even guys could be Goldilocks and yes, they are stuck in a curly wig and dress. At least the bear heads are removable if needed. Strange attire aside, there is only the dark, foreboding forest and the decepit, old cottage. Strange growls can be heard from within the forest, so take care.
- A. Making Porridge. Before they can try and taste which porridge is the best one, it needs to be made first. In the cottage kitchen three rusty stoves are arranged by the wall, each designated to make the porridge either "too hot," "too cold," or "just right." Ingredients are also available, but no recipe and not all ingredients are actually supposed to be used (unless you like frog legs and scorpion tails). One more person can try their hand their cooking, just be careful. The "too hot" stove has a tendency to suddenly burst into flames, the "too cold" stove is completely iced over from the stove, and "just right" will smack various parts of its "body" whenever the porridge is going wrong. The stoves only care about the temperature so the won't pass judgment on what's actually used to make them. Once the porridges have been made, "Goldilocks" must try each one and give her reviews. Whether these things actually taste good… That depends on the chef.
- B. Finding the Right Chair.The next task is for Goldilocks to sit in three different chairs in the living room. The problem is, she needs to find them first—and find the right ones. The living room itself is huge, and there dozens of chairs of all shapes and sizes scattered all over, including on the walls and ceiling. Fortunately, there are a couple of clues to make this easier. Each chair has a "symbol" clearly visible on their seat, and this "symbol" is actually an emoji. From various faces to random pictures like knives and trees, the symbol indicates the type of chair it is. Whether a chair with a knife on it means it's actually made out of knives or something else is up to the player. Be as creative as you want! But the three chairs needed are those that fit each of the bears, with the baby bear's chair ultimately broken by Goldilocks.
- C. Taking a Nap. The beds are next, and some assembly is required. More importantly, they need to gather materials because except or Ikea-like directions, there's nothing in the bedrooms. Those helping with this part must go find the following for each bed:
- Too hard: Rocks. Lots and lots of rocks. Some wood could also work, but the aim is to make it as hard as can be.
- Too soft: Pillows will be the main body of this bed, along with anything else that could be used as soft stuffing.
- Just right: The one playing Goldilocks has to specifically pick out what they want to sleep on. Could be anything from a rug on the floor to the most ridiculous, fanciest bed that can be made. Assistance is allowed.
- Too hard: Rocks. Lots and lots of rocks. Some wood could also work, but the aim is to make it as hard as can be.
Once the beds have been made, Goldilocks must test each one, but once they lie down on the final bed, they'll fall fast asleep.
¶ III. Mary Had a Little Lamb. In this classic nursery rhyme, the Aspects will find themselves either on the road or in a school, and those cast as Mary or the Lamb will find themselves in appropriate costumes. For the sake of ease, a doll version of each is available to use instead. At least this is a quick little "story" and should be a straightforward restoration, right? ...Right?
- A. Everywhere That Mary Went. Mary and her lamb must follow the road leading to the school, but it's not going to be easy. Not only is the road itself broken and hard to walk through with big, giant gaps in places, but there are other dangers lurking about. Blots in the form of wolves will emerge from the ground around them, hungry and ready to attack. Mary and the Lamb must fend them off. If neither are able, perhaps those along for the journey can help fight them off.
- B. Followed Her To School One Day. After managing to get past the wolves, Mary must now attend boring classes. Except these classes aren't so boring and Mary is now trapped in a creepy classroom full of silent Blots who have taken on the form of teachers and students. Other Aspects may have found themselves inside with Mary as well, and at least the Blots aren't attacking. Yet. But have no fear! The Lamb followed her and is ready to help break her out. Problem is, it has to get inside first. The Lamb can try to find an open entrance, break in, or even get help from either Mary herself or an Aspect posing as another student. Once inside, the Lamb has to distract the now agitated Blots by making them laugh and play. Doing so will appease the Blots and allow Mary and any others trapped inside to escape. Of course the Lamb could just opt to get the hell out of there and leave everyone to their fates. That's definitely an option. Fighting the Blots is not necessary, but if things get out of hand (or if an Aspect wants to, anyway), then it's fine to do so.
Prince Lotor | Voltron | Reynard the Fox
[Lotor is all alone here, except for the cat perched on his shoulder. All of this is strange to him: the snow, the people, the world—and the children.
Lotor has never played with other children before, so seeing a lot of them all in one place, and watching them behave so—bizarrely—is well, bizarre. All that running and laughing and pulling off pieces of houses. It's disgraceful. He would consider chiding them for it, but it would be a waste of his time. It's not as if they're Galra. Perhaps it's to be expected that they would behave in this undisciplined way.
However, part of him is curious, and even a little desirous of being in on the fun. He doesn't join forces with the other children, but heads in on his own. Without any difficulty, he quickly sneaks in to tear off a handful of house himself. He retreats with it just as quickly, unobserved. Once he's on his own, he just looks down at the gingerbread severely, frowning. What is the appeal of it?
The cat on his shoulder leans in to sniff at the confection.]
What do you think, Kova?
[The cat can't talk, of course, but Lotor likes having someone to talk to. Especially someone who's also willing to listen to him, even if they can't answer.]
I-B.
[Lotor doesn't mind the fox ears on his head so much, but his tail... It's very un-Galra. He's not so keen on that.
Lotor isn't familiar with any of the stories in this world. None of them seem to be Galra stories, which is more than a little disappointing. Imagine if he could be one of the great Galra heroes! Like Father... but no, he's an animal of some kind. Fortunately, as he starts to read the stories about this Reynard, he's a little more heartened. At least it's a clever creature, frequently victorious in battle—even against larger and stronger opponents. That's not as bad as if could be.
So—he's this fox creature, somehow? Then what can he do?
No sooner does the thought flit through Lotor's mind than his body shifts into the form of a small, purple fox. Startled by his own transformation, he rushes forward. He's aiming for the library door, but if anyone gets in the way, they might just find themselves a bit foxed up.]
II-A.
[Baby Bear... honestly, Lotor isn't entirely sure what a bear is, but it feels like an insult to him, based on what he has been able to figure out. He's not a baby! He's very mature. And now, injury added to insult, he's being made to cook? He has never cooked a single thing in his life. This puts him at a disadvantage, but he isn't going to admit that.
He folds his arms, stubbornly.]
I refuse to engage in this menial task.
III-A.
[Everyone's heard of a wolf in sheep's clothing, but what about a fox in sheep's clothing? That is what Lotor is now. Literally. The sheep's head is making his fox ears itch, and they are twitching uncontrollably, while his purple fox tail is clearly visible outside the back of the costume, knocking the false sheep tail as it moves.
When the wolves appear, it's a relief, honestly! He doesn't even bother to consult with his Mary before leaping forward into the fray. His fighting, at least at first, consists of him darting from wolf to wolf, so quickly that they end up lunging at each other instead of the little fox dashing between them.
Wolves are so stupid, really! It's only the ridiculous sheep costume he's forced to wear that's slowing Lotor down a bit...]
II-A
T'ch.]
It's for the story. Without it, it won't come out right.
[...Still, he seems like a kid, so...]
But you never cooked before, huh? Need some help?
no subject
[He's not out and out objecting to it, it just makes no sense to him. It is very far from being similar to a Galra narrative.]
Maybe it could end differently.
[It could involve something other than cooking. Neither foxes nor princes like to cook. Maybe baby bears do? Lotor is not too clear on the subject of baby bears, either. Usually he doesn't flat-out refuse to perform tasks, but this is an exception.]
I did not say I hadn't done it before.
[Even though he definitely hasn't done it before. He's reluctant to ask for help, however, as that is not something Galra typically do. He should be able to figure out this simple chore on his own, not that he wants to.]
no subject
So what's the problem? Don't tell me you're one of those snotty rich kids that don't do anything for themselves.
no subject
I have a great many duties to attend to.
[Although they more often involve grueling battles and other physical tests, not menial chores, like cooking.]
But this kind of task is assigned to servants.
[Lotor honestly doesn't even know what porridge is. Frowning, he examines a bowl of what appears to be liver. The meat strikes him as the most edible thing here. He completely ignored the Too Cold stove, because of... the ice, obviously. He can tell that's wrong, at least. The Just Right stove so far is behaving how he thinks a stove would behave, so he's standing in front of it. But Lotor still does not get to work.]
no subject
Well there ain't any here, so either deal with it and help or let someone else handle it and do something else.
no subject
You have no authority over me. I will do as I will. As this task is necessary to proceed, I will continue it. I don't need any help.
[With a clawed hand, Lotor reaches into the bowl of liver and scoops some out into his pot, shortly doing the same with the scorpion tails. Well, they look like they might be edible, anyway.]
no subject
Wait a minute.]
Hey, don't put those things in!
[SCORPION TAILS??]
no subject
[Adopting his most imperious attitude as he repeats himself, Lotor continues to make his Galra-style porridge. Fortunately, as they were prepared for food, the scorpion tails at least have had their stingers and venom glands removed, otherwise his liver-scorpion porridge really wouldn't be edible.
He probably shouldn't add the grubs and frog legs as well, but he does! It's not that he's trying to add the most unlikely and/or horrible porridge ingredients. Not only does he not know what porridge is, but as a Galra, the meat is what strikes him as most likely to taste good.]
This is how I make porridge.
[Since this is the only time he's ever made it, and this is the recipe he's chosen, that is true! Lotor's Liver Porridge.]
no subject
Are you actually going to taste that? Because I'm not.
no subject
[As he stated, Lotor doesn't need anyone's help. But he addresses Shizuo matter-of-factly. Shizuo has not exactly risen to the top of the list of Lotor's favorite people, but Lotor doesn't particularly dislike him, either.]
I'll taste it, but it's for the Goldilocks.
[If he has to make porridge for this rule breaker, he's going to do it his way. It is a little fun, now that he's started... It's not fighting, but he's never gotten to make anything on his own like this before.]
II-A
But then the small purple elf(???) boy pipes up. He'd been shy and a bit defensive the whole time- which is understandable since he's far from home, likely missing his family, and plopped into weird situations. So young... But then he says that.]
"Menial?" What makes you say that?
[She's not too offended- she's always had a fairly even temper, and patience with children- but cooking? Menial? That's the LAST word she'd use to describe something that important to her.]
no subject
So far, however, he has carried out most of the tasks, without complaint. This one, however...]
Because it is work for servants.
[Lotor himself doesn't want to do the work—partly because he has no idea how—and his fox-side doesn't particularly want to do the work, either. His fox-ears twitch as he regards the primitive "stove". His words sound like a flat statement, but because he's curious, he follows them up with a question.]
Do you disagree?
no subject
[She gives the boy a soft, warm smile as she speaks.]
Food is vital for people to live, almost as important as water or air. So being able to provide food for yourself and others is really important. And even if the recipe you're making is something simple like porridge... you're putting a bit of yourself into the cooking, and it's a way for you to connect with others, even show that you care about them. Does that make sense?
no subject
[His blunt answer is an honest one.]
If no one were to cook, we could eat nutritive paste. That would be good enough.
[That is manufactured by machines, for the most part. Certainly, someone has to add the components and run the machines, but it's not exactly cooking.]
What's most important is that nutritional needs are met, to maintain strength and endurance.
[What she says about putting yourself in the cooking is so incomprehensible, she might as well be speaking another language. Show that you care...? Does not compute.]
no subject
A-ah... I guess... it's a bit harder to describe than I thought...
no subject
What is this porridge?
[It's not a Galra food, he knows that. Some kind of alien food that probably is not as nutritious and practical.]
I don't understand why we're supposed to make it for someone who's in violation of the rules.
[This story seems like it's about someone irresponsible who should be punished, not given food to eat.]
no subject
But hm... for someone so quick to dismiss cooking, he's still curious. Maybe there's hope for him yet.]
To put it simply, porridge is grain boiled in either water or milk until it's thickened. There are a lot of ways to make it depending on the grains you use and how thick the final product is, and they're really good for your digestive health and heart too.
As for the story... well, it WAS going to be the bears' breakfast first. And you're right, Goldilocks shouldn't have gone in and eaten and taken things that weren't hers, and usually the bears end up scaring her away in the end. The story's supposed to teach children that respecting people's property is important, I think.
no subject
Grain in water?
[That does not sound appetizing to Lotor, and the "milk"... What kind of milk? That sounds even more bizarre. He doesn't ask about that part, making a face instead. PORRIDGE = REJECTED.]
That does not sound suitable for Galra.
[Partly because he doesn't want to eat it. No other Galra are here to contradict him, so that's that.]
She should be subjected to a trial, so she will learn the lesson well. After that, she will not disrespect property again.
[Simply running off won't teach you anything much, will it? Running away's just an act of fear.]
no subject
[Geez kid... Yeah, no, she's asking it.]
What is your world like...?
no subject
[He doesn't see what the problem is! What does being a child have to do with anything?]
I don't have a world. The Galra are a spacefaring people. We are not bound to any planet. We move where we will.
no subject
[After all, she'd heard that astronauts had to live on dehydrated foods up there... She can't imagine that alien space food is much better...]
no subject
Yes, keeping fresh food and staff to cook it would be a waste of resources.
[Not that he's never had regular food, but it's not important. Even if it does taste good.]
I'm going to come up with a series of tasks for her to complete.
[He's not your average baby bear.]