▶ TDM .018

[prismods]

You gotta feel it

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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.

Comments

[hagrides]

Now, now. I am sure someone will still be intimidated by you.

[Not him, but he isn't scared of much.]

[boogerman]

[Yes, he's gotten that impression already. Not that anyone's really afraid of the Boogeyman in broad daylight. Speaking of, he has no idea where they are, outside the little oasis of shadow cast by Grimm, and is just going to keep being led.]

We'll see. They're going to regret giving me the boot either way.

[hagrides]

[Luckily for Pitch, they're not all that far from the local shoe and accessory store, and Grimm stops them in front of the door.]

There should be sunglasses available in a variety of styles. If you cannot afford them, I shall purchase them for you.

[boogerman]

[It rankles at him, being a charity case, and he's not the best at hiding his feelings. Not a skill one needs, being a spirit with no believers.]

No, I can't. Haven't earned my keep yet. [Can't steal them and run off to be petty, either. He's too exposed for that.]

[hagrides]

Then I shall pay. Consider it a welcome gift.

[It's not like it'll take much of a dip out of his funds anyway.]

[boogerman]

[That is a point. He raises a brow and shrugs.] If you insist.

[He pushes through the door and takes almost no time picking out a plain black pair. Nothing else suits him.]

[hagrides]

[Can't go wrong with the classics.]

May I have your name, stranger?

[boogerman]

[Finally, he can see the bugman clearly! Eve indoor lighting is enough to bother the Boogeyman.]

Pitch Black. Who are you? Or... should I be asking what? [He doesn't mean Grimm's appearance, spirits have always come in many shapes and sizes.] Something almost familiar.

[hagrides]

[So he feels that draw too. Good to know it isn't just him.]

I am Grimm. In my home, I am known as the Nightmare King.

[boogerman]

Funny. [He says, a bit of his usual drawl creeping back into his voice.] I've been called that too, where I'm from.

[hagrides]

Is that so? Aside from my predecessors, I have never met anyone with a shared title before. We might have much in common.

[new friend?]

[boogerman]

You know, I think we might. [...Been eons since he could say he had things in common with anyone friendly.]

No one minds what you are around here? Or do they know?

[hagrides]

They know. To them, we are the same as any other Moonblessed. Stranger things than us exist here.

[Humans are pretty weird, for one thing.]

[boogerman]

[The nerve of some people, walking around with their bones on the inside and squishiness on the outside.]

Oh, I can believe that. But I have a feeling I'm only here because a group of idiotic young spirits have had it in their heads they need to 'fight fear' for about six centuries now. They must have finally found a way to get rid of me for good.

[Though he may be a bit of an unreliable narrator!]

[hagrides]

What nonsense. Fear is an essential emotion - even if they could be rid of us, they would soon regret it.

[boogerman]

I hate to say it, but I hope they are. It's not on my head if their precious believers get themselves killed living dangerously. I did my best.

[Let the Guardians wrangle a whole world full of reckless children! Sort of funny to picture, honestly. Makes this little forced 'vacation' seem a little less awful.

(It's less frightening than wondering if the world is the same without him in it. Wondering if he matters, in the end.)]

[hagrides]

Perhaps they will be begging for your return soon, having learned the error of their ways.

[It's a nice thought, at least.]

[boogerman]

[And he doesn't get to have a whole lot of nice thoughts, generally.]

I'll make them beg, too, and they'll hate every second of it.

[hagrides]

Of course, this is all presuming they are responsible for your arrival here to begin with. There are certainly many Moonblessed here who have not angered any force powerful enough to banish them.

[boogerman]

[Yeesh. Why ruin a good conspiracy?]

Don't say that. That only makes it less likely I'll be able to get back to my normal life.

[hagrides]

Do forgive me. I am unfortunately not as much of an optimist as you seem to be.

[it's funny bc they're Edgy]

[boogerman]

[It is a little funny, in an eye rolling way. This poor bugman probably can't roll his eyes, he must be jealous.

But a moment later, he manages to look vaguely sympathetic.]

How long have you been stranded here?

[hagrides]

A little more than a year.

[Not that he particularly minds, but then, he doesn't have much to look forward to when he goes back but his duty.]

You adjust, at some point or another.

[boogerman]

That quickly?

[Doubtful. He's never had an easy time trying to change his ways.]

[hagrides]

Some more quickly than others, but yes. You adapt because you must.

[Even semi-immortals can change, if slowly.]