dankmemes | Test Drive Meme #3

Welcome to Hadriel's test drive, and thank you again for your interest in the game! As always, our reserves page is here, and our applications page is here! Reserves open November 24th, and apps are open December 1st.

Two quick points here as well:
1. Any thread made in Hadriel's test drive will be accepted as the sole Action Log sample in the application.
2. All threads made in the test drive can be considered game canon!

Test drives will be broken up into specific god mini-events, during which your characters can see how well they fare under the watchful eye of one of the gods. Choose wisely or just simply pick 'em all, and have fun!

F E A R

SCENARIO ONE: GIMME A HUG
[The Door brings in all that is chaotic and evil in the world. This may include you, may include the person next to you... and may include the monster behind you.

Watch out as you explore the streets of Hadriel, because you're not alone, and there's always something on the rooftops watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to separate you from your group and tear you into pieces. This time, the Door has brought in a large slithering beast for you meet.

This Titanoboa is not the friendliest of snakes. Over fifty feet long, it requires quite a lot of meals in order to keep going, and it seems to be most interested in making you one of them. A giant anaconda, this is a constrictor rather than a venomous snake - but don't worry. It's got teeth, too, in case it needs to do a touch of nibbling. We're sure you'll get along just fine.]

SCENARIO TWO: THE DOCTOR IS IN
[You awaken on an operating table. How did you get here? What's going on? You don't remember checking into a hospital or seeing a doctor, and when you try to get up you quickly discover that your hands and legs are secured tightly to the table, the straps digging into your skin.

Next to the table is a tray of gleaming steel surgical instruments, their sharp blades glittering as the overhead light flickers. They seem to be the only clean thing in the room, as you begin to realize that the walls of this operating room are moldy and stained, and there's something dripping from the ceiling. This may not be a legitimate hospital at all.

There are footsteps outside the door. It could be a friend - or not. Will you call for help? Try to free yourself? Lay back and wait for the doctor to arrive?]

H O P E

SCENARIO THREE: HOPESGIVING
[You find yourself in a kitschy, brightly lit, utterly pleasant gift shop. Lining the shelves are all manner of stuffed animals, inspirational figurines, greeting cards, and delightful ornaments. Some even look familiar, like something you might have seen before.

The door isn't locked. You can just leave, if you want. But on a pedestal where the registers should be is a globe of glittering light, and within it, a picture of the person you care for most in the world. Carved on the pedestal are the words Bring someone hope, and you will bring them happiness.

Of course, you aren't alone in there. Will you find something on the shelves to show to your companion, something that might bring them hope? Or maybe you brought something from home. Or maybe you don't care at all, and just want to smash everything in there. It's all up to you.

This is a simplified version of this month's Hope event.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is the fault of mages more than humans. The affliction of magic is not prejudiced. Any mage can become corrupt. [At least in his own eyes, although humans are the dominant race of Thedas.] They will always seek more power.

[The tone is unsettling. It doesn't match the words that are said, and Yaha's laugh has him bristling. No matter what he's assured, he remains guarded.]

And what of your elves? Is it the same?

[He tells himself he won't be surprised of the answer.]

[ His smile fades. Oh, dear. It seems it would be best not to show Fenris that he is a mage. Yaha does his best to appear scandalized at the thought of those with magic. ] What awful beings!

[ Says the elf who uses the blood and screams of the tortured in some of his spells. ] What of my elves? They're dead. I'm all that is left. An army came ... they understood our power and wiped every last one of them out. Oh, no... that's ... there may be those scattered to the winds, but on all accounts, they are a dead race in my world.

[Best keep the blood magic a secret as long as possible, unless Yaha wants an extremely unpleasant reaction. As it is now, the agreement has him somewhat calming from his prickly caution.]

Our realities may not be so different. It's believed elves were once more plentiful than any other race, but they were overtaken by the invasion of humans and forcefully enslaved. [History isn't his highest interest. He doesn't care for what may have happened in the past; it doesn't change the present.] You managed to survive. How?

I ...

[ Yaha lightly shakes his head at his dear new companion. To have another elf hear, somehow he is not certain that he could bear it. To be looked down upon, to be hated by something that he did not think he would ever see once again. Who knew that he could feel shame? ]

I do not know if that is something I could have you hear, Fenris. It may color your view of me and ... I want you to look upon me positively. You're the first elf I have seen in almost twenty years. Let's not ruin it with what is the past and what we've done to live to this point.

[What is that supposed to mean? Fenris looks at him oddly, expression tinged with more suspicion, although a part of him responds to the sentiment. Moving on from the past... isn't that what he's striven to do in these last several years? And is still struggling against each day. He looks down at his feet, mouth pressed in a tight line.]

You care a great deal for my opinion simply because I am an elf, and I won't claim to understand that. But I will not make you tell me. There are a number of things I would rather not share of my own past.

[Things he was made to do, emotions he was made to feel. He's familiar with shame.]

Though I imagine this place cares little for what we want.

And yet, how is that any different from where we have come? We have our freedom and [ -- our magic -- ] our lives! But we are still in a world that cares little of our wants.

So, let us do our best to ensure that our time here is one where we are beneath no boot and strive to hold a place where no one will make us feel weak. Does that not sound like a wonderful goal, Fenris? [ Oh, Yaha, did you forget just a few minutes ago about mages who seek out power? But this is different, isn't it? It's so different!

Because Fenris doesn't know.

He steps forward with a bright smile to reach out to take his dear friend's hands. Who cares if he is being too familiar? He's stepped away from talking on his past and now can talk of a future. A future where the streets and walls will be bathed in blood! Isn't that what they're both talking about? ] Look, do you see? Do you see the hope that I've found in you?

[His eyes have wandered over their surroundings in the meantime, as though surprised about the lack of an angry merchant. No one's come to investigate the source of destroyed goods. It's... unsettling, to say the least. Does no one care about their ruined inventory?

When his hands are taken, Fenris stiffens, attempting to jerk out of the grip. His gaze is wide and alarmed like a deer caught in the trajectory of an arrow. He doesn't like being touched. This is a familiarity far beyond what he's used to, or comfortable bearing. The lyrium stings along the backs of fingers.]

You are easily inspired.

[It definitely sounds like a harsh criticism.]

Is that all it takes to give you hope?

Yes.

[ It is what he did back home. Why did he have to be so foolish as to think that such a thing could not be done here?

He does let Fenris's hands go when he pulls away. It would be wrong to continue to hold them if he does not want him to. But he does. Ah, maybe he should find a blade to cut them at the wrist to keep. Then he would always have something of another elf close.

Such violent thoughts. He wonders if he is really calming down or becoming agitated. Sometimes ... sometimes it is hard to tell. ]

It means that there is something that we can do to better our situation. One can always better their situation even if they are not sitting upon a throne. Do you not agree?

It's a positive outlook. Not one many would share.

[Those sitting upon a throne would certainly find it far easier than those not. With his hands to himself, he folds arms across his chest.]

And what of those who are not aware their situation can get any better?

If they are not elves, what do we care?

[ Let them be used for his magic. Let them be used for entertainment. That is what will be best. Allow the two of them to stand over all and never be beneath another again. ]

Would they care enough for us? Isn't it best to just worry about our own situation and what would be best for us, Fenris?

[An elven supremacist? It's not all that surprising. The Dalish were similar in their mindset, idolizing an ancient history in an effort to feel - what? Significant? Powerful?]

You say us as though you expect me to agree with you unconditionally. [Surprise. He is bitter, resentful, and argumentative.] I've already said I care little for other elves. They are not all the same.

But I thought that we were having a connection.

[ He frowns just a little at the response. Yaha wants to create a marvelous throne for Fenris -- one of made out of the bones of their enemies. It'd be very hard work, but he thinks that in the end, it would suit him well. And Yaha can't do that if Fenris is going to be upset with him.

Well, no, he could still do it, but it just wouldn't be as fun. ] I want to gift you with wonderful things. I did not think hope was possible. I thought it would be pointless to see another elf here and now after ... everything, but it does mean something.

Just as I told you before... you're very inspiring.

Test Drive Meme #3

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