prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .018

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You awaken amidst the darkness with only a faint light to greet you. Your body is hemmed in by shards of crystals, gently sparkling and possibly pricking your skin. The surrounding landscape is dyed in the pinks and purples of the dusk filled with crystals protruding from the ground, some as large as a skyscraper. After an hour or two of wandering through the crystal wilderness, a group of people find you worse for wear. They are the gallant Moon Knights from the planet of Prismatica. Because of the strange phenomena during the past months when scientists observed the sudden appearance of rainbow crystals in the sky, the government has been feverishly combing through the moon for more Moonblessed to be rescued. You’ll eventually be brought into Iris’s moon government center.

You all may have your usual inquiries — Where are we? Who are you? What's going on? — and the Prismals are almost too eager to answer. They tell you about their world and about the first appearance of the Moonblessed as the medical staff give you an examination to make sure you’re not carrying any viruses or biological hazards. If you react violently, you may be restrained and nerfed with a specialized neurotransmitting gun that releases a numbing agent through the top of your spine. Once the examinations are over, you’re informed that you will be provided accommodations on their planet during your stay. You will then be escorted to the docks, and led onto a large transport vessel that makes frequent trips back and forth between the Iris moon and the planet. Faces onboard vary from both old and new Moonblessed as well as the local Prismals.

The next destination: Prismatica.

▶ Welcome to the Jungle
Iris Moon, Government Center (Arrival) and Planet Prismatica, City of Lunatia | top

Welcome to Prismatica’s hub, Lunatia, the city of your dreams! A bustling metropolis lush with bright lights, vibrant colors, luxuriant plant life, and all the conveniences of technology absent from your own world… It seems like paradise to all the uninitiated. After a quick tour of the city, new arrivals can find themselves getting cozy in their new homes.

A Settle in your new home at Level 2 to find new roommates and say hello to your neighbors! City officials will give you directions to the designated districts across Level 2 and instruct you to pick out a unit. Each apartment complex has a different aesthetic, some may look cozy, some stylish, and some bizarre. The free accommodations have a basic living space that can only fit two or three people at most in one unit.

Starter Chromaspace furnishings are provided which can be controlled with the touch of a built-in panel. Examples are color-changing curtains, transforming sofa beds, cabinets turning into tables, etc. Customizing your apartment or moving out will have to wait until you earn more chroma. Until then, why don’t you check out your new neighborhood or explore the city levels? Maybe your new roommates or neighbors can give you a “hand” with allowance for dinner.

▶ I Didn’t Choose the Hug Life, the Hug Life Chose Me
08/09 | Outside Lunatia, Kingdom of Calanthe | top

With the return of Lyestella and Vulpus to the land, the Lyestellans and Amegaharans have pledged to cooperate with the Lunatians in their effort to continue to restore Prismatica to its former glory and recover the planet’s lost history. The Prismals now turn their attention to the decrystallization of the land and the detoxification of the air, both remnants of the great cataclysm of ages past. The planet’s surface has already been changing, revealing new sites of archaeological interest. Aside from Neuhr Ellysti, another one was recently found to the far south of Lunatia in an old city that the Prismals call Calanthe.

The Moonblessed-produced Chroma has dissipated the toxic mist surrounding the city, revealing a sprawling, majestic kingdom encased in crystal as if it was frozen in time. The kingdom is partially submerged in water, requiring some sophisticated techniques to reach its innermost recesses. Lunar Scientia has requested for Chroma to be funneled into the ancient city to allow them to study it further.

As an apology for his antics last month, Vulpus has volunteered to lead the Calanthe decrystallization efforts with the power... of dance! His Azure Passion Blossom dance will help the Moonblessed generate more Chroma by amplifying it considerably.

B As Vulpus dances, the Moonblessed are asked to participate in a large-scale hug-a-thon at the Calanthe research camp. The goal is to partner up with one another and try to remain awake for 3 hours, simply standing and hugging, in order to take home the following rewards: a generous amount of groceries, two luxurious dessert cakes (comes in two flavors!), and the choice to take home one of the latest Chromawear releases from Prissy Polyp.

Now that he’s being good, do you think Vulpus’s hips don’t lie? Nope. He is definitely back on his bullshit. For those unwilling to participate, they will find their bodies inexplicably “magnetized” to one another, spontaneously sending you through the air and sticking you to someone else. Escape is nigh impossible for at least an hour when the effects wear off. Better be prepared to make friends fast.

▶ Ride It, My Pony
08/10 | top

The mass amounts of hug-induced Chroma successfully banish the crystal and toxic mist away and open up the kingdom of Calanthe. While many may be eager to venture into the unknown, Lunar Scientia warns everyone of the dangers ahead. Prepare yourselves, and don’t travel alone.

Calanthe is covered in runes and symbols that may be familiar to veteran Moonblessed, including the Mark of the Destroyer which had been present in the Glory. Meanwhile, the shimmering waters surrounding the city are remarkably beautiful, but with no ocean floor in sight — only an endless abyss.

C Calanthe’s waters are enchanted to drown all those unwelcome, even those who can breathe underwater. It’s not a good idea to touch or stand close to the water for too long in any way, either. That will summon innumerous kelpie horses that will lunge out and ram against you, your friend, and/or the nearest Prismal researcher, instantly knocking them into the nearest wall. These creatures best described as finned horses made of water; they mysteriously evaporate after each attack, only reappearing to ram any threat to their territory again.

Once provoked, the kelpies will start conjuring bubble cages around its opponents, which will send them floating upwards before quickly sinking into the endless abyss. Damaging the bubble cages from within is completely ineffective, as they can only be broken by those outside of it. Rescuers, hurry and break the bubbles before it’s too late!

Alarmed by these developments, Lunar Scientia will order a temporary retreat as they try to figure out how to deal with all the furious kelpies before any more people are taken into the abyss.

▶ Natural De-Selection
08/10 - 08/24 | top

Day and night, all begin to hear haunted whispers echo throughout Lunatia in the next coming days, among them the voices of those who were recently taken into the abyss, begging for help or mercy.

Ghost sightings of slain jellyfish and Korokiels from past battles flicker into view at random hours of the evening. Some people feel painful, spontaneous electric shocks. Others feel tentacles coil around and strangle them for a few seconds before the sensation disappears completely.

Just what did they unearth in Calanthe? News programs, articles, and social media are filled with rumors and conspiracy theories, but all seem to agree that the research team has awakened an ancient curse.

Those who were not freed in time and kidnapped into Calanthe’s watery abyss will remain in an unusual stasis, floating about in the bubble with those they are trapped with. The longer they stay there, the smaller the bubble gets, making it harder for them to breathe. Their most painful thoughts may end up echoing throughout Lunatia. The captured can stave off death a bit longer by constantly moonlacing until rescue comes for them.

D Time is of the essence. As soon as Lunar Scientia quickly announces their findings, everyone dives straight back into the bottomless depths. All rescuers will be given a newly developed Carcharian potion that will allow Moonblessed to temporarily grow shark properties, including the special ability to breathe in Calanthe’s waters, enhanced flexibility and agility in the water, and possession of sharp jagged teeth. These teeth are magically effective against kelpies who seem to fear the shark kind. The potion’s effects will naturally wear off after an hour, so be sure to complete your rescue by then.

With the kidnapped Prismals and Moonblessed back home safely, the Prismals will continue to carefully study how to safely navigate the area and explore Calanthe.

▶ Questions

If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.

WHO CAN POST? ▶ Test drive memes are for new characters only. Existing players may not post starter threads in the test drime meme. However, current players are more than welcome to use these prompts for their own posts in the IC communities, personal inboxes, catch-all posts, etc.!

IS THIS CANON? ▶ As our test drive memes are game canon, feel free to keep any threads that happen here as canon for your character should they be accepted.

DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE? ▶ As always, all content is optional. You do not have to be affected by any of the prompts if you wish to opt out.

KELPIES ▶ These horses cannot be tamed or reasoned with. If you kill one, more aggressive kelpies will come for you out of vengeance and start to swarm you and others.

CALANTHE’S WATERS ▶ As stated on the log, these waters are enchanted to drown intruders. Even those who can breathe underwater will NOT be able to. Attempting to bypass this through any means will not work.

BUBBLE CAGES ▶ Each bubble should contain at least two people. A Moonblessed may be trapped with an NPC Prismal if desired. You may freely communicate with other bubbles in the abyss. Attempting to use the network will fail as the signal is jammed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He could annoy a certain grumpy roommate with the annoying jacket, honestly. Of even that sleeveless hooded thing. It was sort of hilarious- but hey.

The corner of his mouth twitched a bit.]

Maybe, as a treat.

[Caught hold of Poe himself, and it wasn't just arms that wrapped around him, but a rather large set of flight-capable wings as well settling in, because may as well go all the way-]

Let me now if that's not comfortable.

[There are three kinds of people in the world Ones who dress to impress others. Ones who don't know how to dress to impress at all, and a third, who knows what they are doing and wants to insult the world.]

[And he chuckled at the treat comment, but everything came to a still, vocal and physical, as a set of WINGS arched around them in that hug. He blinked, then eyes went wide, trying to hug still but looking at...]

Are those Wings?!

Yeah. Got used to them since they're a constant whenever the Cordis moon is going through it's phases.

[Those feathers ruffled a bit, but kept right where they were, arms still easily wrapped around Poe, and maybe there was a ghost of some amusement still there.

Just a little.]

[They were so soft, he turned his head a bit and caught a feather over his temple, just surprised by wings. How did he miss those. The man hides them well.]

Cordis? That's what they told me I was, but I didn't get wings... [Jealous much? maybe a bit.]

[Practice in trying to walk around with them as unnoticeable as possible.]

I didn't get them during my first moon either, and when I did they sure were smaller than this.

[Those wings tightened a little with a shift, showing just a bit of what control over them that he had. Really, he was practiced with them well after a year in this place. Even moved a little with the slight shrug of shoulders.]

[The shorter man almost disappeared in the larger mans wings and arms. And here Poe thought HE was good t hugs. He was, but this Gabriel was equip with wings and that made him better.]

So there's a chance I'll get wings and, is that a tail i see flicking? This is crazy. You weren't born with these?

[Hell, if needed Gabriel could lift Poe up and just carry him off to place to just sit and hug it out, too. Good at this hug-a-thon thing with that]

If you're Cordis? Yeah, there's a good chance of it.

[He glanced back and, yep. That tail of his swayed a little as if he'd caught it.]

I wasn't born with these, no. Pretty much run of the mill human. [... Technically.]

That's insane. [He stated again, softly, and turned his face to face a wing again, closing his eyes a moment. The growth of Chroma felt lovely as it gathered inside but the feel of this wing was so soft.]

What's it like to fly with wings? You can fly, right? They look powerful.

Right? I used to be able to hide these things under a jacket or hoodie.

[Now they were large and he did have a rather impression wing-span simply because of that. Corner of his mouth twitched a bit, but he allowed Poe to nuzzle feathers if he wanted.

Was a little easier in affectionate touches during all of this anyway.]

It's something else, because yeah I can fly with them. Size isn't just for show.

Winged people aren't unheard of where I am from, but you don't often see them in humanoid form. Generally it's another race.

[he said as he unapologetically took in the softness of a wing before peeking back to the man he hugged.]

I'm a pilot. I can fly anything, but to fly with out a machine? That's ... amazing.

[He hummed a little, or maybe that was a purr-]

Hopefully if you do end up with wings, they'll be large enough. Gotta practice, of course.

[Hopefully because the fascination really couldn't be missed- and the pilot thing, too. He knew a few pilots once upon a time.]

[Was that a Purr? Oh my.]

Oh, trust me, if it's one thing that will happen, it's practice. Got to mke sure I'm the best. [he said with a laugh, grinning into the others shoulder in their hug. This seemed so ridiculous, standing here swaying about and hugging, but the food would be good.]

Does the need for food come from Cordis as well? I've just been hungry the last day or so.

Pretty fun flying around the place, too.

[Half the time he never noticed when it started. Let his wings shift as they remained wrapped around Poe in that held hug. Yeah, he could do this for three hours, no problem.

Food would definitely be worth it.

His tongue clicked.]

Unfortunately. Reason I hunted down places with good food for reasonable or cheap prices.

This place seems too good to be true. Like the other shoe will fall soon and war will brake out.

[He was so used to war anyhow that it just seemed fitting. Everything here was beautiful thought.]

[Three hours was a while, but they had made a good dent in time so far. The reward was going to be theirs.]

You'll have to point me out to some of these places, Gabriel.

Other shoe falls a lot, even if it hasn't exactly been a war yet. Cults, mostly.

[To put it all very lightly, but very bluntly at the same time. Reason he never really let his guard drop fully, even with this here attempting to gather chroma for what was discovered.

Something was going to wake up, ad they'd all have to deal with it. Usually how it went, and yet he'd come down anyway.]

Yeah, sure. You like noodles?

Cults? So this isn't exactly paradise, is it? A little hidden trouble here and there?

[good to know. Best not to let his guard down. He's glad BB-8 isn't here to deal with all this. Poor young droid.]

Depends on the type. If it's still moving, then no. Otherwise, yes?

[There was that shrug again-]

Hidden and not so hidden, depends on where you look, and who the members decide to hide as next. Sometimes there's entirely different shit to deal with.

[That and he honestly didn't even trust the government of the place, but that was something he kept close to his chest unless someone actually got close. Were of a similar type of mindset with that.]

They don't move, but some of the will make your mouth feel like it's on fire if you up for a challenge. Some decent burger and pizza places, too.

What kind of things have you had to deal with?

[He asked lightly, a brow raised and peeking over at the other man. Interesting. he wanted more intel.]

Hey, if it doesn't move, I'm good for it. Fire is fine, if you mean spicy. I'm willing to try anything once.

Fighting some weird creatures awoken by this planet coming back to life bit by bit. A lot of cults that want to see this world die instead.

[It was a mixed bag of things, really-] There's also some found or new tech that goes on the fritz at times, too.

[Which was a pain in the ass to deal with.]

How about after this I show you the place in person then.

Oh. Sounds like a standard weekend. [He said with a raised brow and flat lips. Creatures and cults and bad tech? Well, there would be plenty to look out for, that was for sure.]

The technology here seems... interesting. Some of it feels advanced while others not so much.

[He grinned, peeking over at the other.] I think that sounds like a fine idea. We can drag our spoils off with us, of course. [Because they intend to win]

Regular Tuesday. [So dryly stated.

Still, as much as he disliked being here and didn't trust the government, let alone Moon Knights, worth a damn there was at least. What? Trying to make the most of it? Things to take up time not to get restless? Something.

Corner of his mouth twitched.]

Then I believe we've got some fun plans after winning this.

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▶ TDM .018

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