Test Drive Meme #7

[hadrielmods]

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 March 25th, and apps are open April 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, either through handwaving or through a shared mental experience while coming through the Door!

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: HOW UNUSUAL
[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 few Rodents Of Unusual Size, from the film/book Princess Bride.

These large creatures are about the size of a large dog and can be stoked into a frenzy once they smell blood. They typically hide in the shadows and wait for an opportune moment to leap out of the dark and strike at you. Though they can sometimes look like overlarge puppets, take no doubt that these monsters are very much alive, and they love the taste of flesh.]

H O P E
SCENARIO TWO: MIRROR, MIRROR
[While exploring, you might be surprised to come across a pristine mirror in this underground city. It could be lying in your path, it could have been dropped into your bag by a mysterious someone, or it could find you some other way, but it will be there. This is no ordinary mirror, however- upon looking inside of it, the glass will show you a vision of a future that you hope for more than anything.

Regardless of what you want, the mirror shows visions that you believe are possible so that you can adequately hope for it- whether or not they actually are isn't really anyone's concern. Feel free to hide in a corner and stare for hours, throw it away, or try to peek at as many other mirrors as you want- we won't stop you!

This is a mini version of our Hopeful Future event this month!]


R A G E

SCENARIO THREE: PAY 2 WIN
[How cool are carnival booths? Super cool, right? And luckily, the grand prize in this one is something you've always wanted. It could be a briefcase of enough money to make all your troubles go away, that sacred amulet you've been questing after, or something a little less concrete- the approval of someone you want to like you, a curse upon someone you don't like, general freedom... the choices are endless.

And all you have to do to win it is play a game or two.

Something strange seems to be happening, though. Each time you finish a round of the game, the prize requirements just get a little higher, just stretch a little more out of reach. Play again, we're sure you'll get it this time! No? Well, you've definitely got it next time.

Get fed up and smash the booth for the prize? Well buddy, now you're disqualified, and tampering with the booth sets that thing you want most up in flames. Sorry, bud. Better luck next time! And look, there's another booth right behind you...]

Comments

[fadeling]

Yes. [And then that mark--it's still too bright, but it's all wrong. He doesn't know how it works, really, though, so... maybe it can be different?

It's too confusing.]

No. She was an elf. Is an elf.

[closerift]

Who was an elf? [ Cole rarely makes sense, but this has to be a record. Cecily peers at him, careful to keep her distance, confusion marked all over her expression. ] What's going on, Cole?

[fadeling]

She let me stay. She let me help people. She liked helping people, even if they weren't hers. She always saw the small even if she was too bright for them to see her back. She built while she burned. She left things better.

She was my friend.

[closerift]

[ Cecily studies him intently, heart fluttering in confusion and mild alarm. It all is starting to make more sense, and yet it makes no sense at all, though not in Cole's traditional fashion, and much more like... the kind of chaos that only Hadriel has yet inspired in her life. ]

You don't know me. [ "Built while she burned." Another with the anchor? How? Who? ] ... You remember another... Inquisitor?

[ How? ]

[fadeling]

Yes. Maybe. [Is that what it is? As confusing as the world is and always had been to him, that doesn't make any sense.]

I thought there was only one. [That he is as certain as he can be of anything. He may forget quite a bit, but he would have remembered a second anchor. The Fade-whispers would have told him. There would have been screams.

And he always remembered friends. It's unsettling to be confronted with this. If not for the proof on her hand he would have thought she was lying.]

It's still too bright, too loud, too close. It's songs and sorrows like always.

[closerift]

There is only one. [ As far as she knows, but he seems so... sure. So distraught. And he certainly doesn't remember her, which instills a sense of deep-seated unease in the pit of her stomach. ] I-... Cole, I'm sorry. I don't have any answers for you.

[ Or for herself. ]

Do you remember Dorian? Rainier? Cullen? They're all here, they... may be able to help you more than I can, if you're uncomfortable around me.

[fadeling]

Yes. They were my friends too. [Or at least they were less confrontational about him than some of the others were.

He does look a little more confused as she continues, though.]

I don't. Am I supposed to?

[closerift]

They still are your friends. [ She knows that Rainier, especially, will be glad to see the boy. ]

"Supposed to" be uncomfortable around me? [ Cecily questions, frowning. ] I... No, I hope not. I only meant that it might be strange if you remember another Inquisitor and I'm... not her.

[ Never mind that she's got no idea how there could be another, or what that might mean. ]

[fadeling]

That's good. [He would have been sad if they weren't anymore.]

It's... [Hard to describe] ...new. Not bad, maybe. I don't know yet. [It would take some getting used to for everyone.] Strange and simple and complicated and common. She has wings but can't fly. I can't tell.

[closerift]

[ Wings, but can't fly. The Inquisitor just shakes her head a little. ]

It's... complicated, yes. [ More and more every day, it seems. ] But, if there's anything I can do - and I'm not sure there is - please, just... tell me. You're still my friend, Cole, even if you don't remember it.

[fadeling]

Thank you. Most people don't ask.