TEST DRIVE MEME (JAN 23')

[myddvaimods]

TEST DRIVE MEME
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Arc Introduction, Month 0


The Pull

Falling asleep, closing one's eyes to die, or simply walking through a doorway... it only takes the slightest lapse of consciousness for the magic to take hold. That sudden feeling of falling within a dream overtakes the senses, lasting far longer than it should. If lucky or nimble, feet will hit the floor rather than spine or face.

Characters find themselves pulled into a new world without warning, and they are now in the spotlight. Literally. From their new vantage point from center stage in a cabaret, they can just barely make out the strange, sprawling figures that form their audience. Hulking animal shapes sit at tables and lean against walls, defining the edges of the dark space. The floorboards glow with untold power, etched with countless runes and scripts, radiating power and… a strangely pleasant smell of vanilla and cinnamon fills the air.

"Charming," says a seemingly disembodied voice, tone bored despite the compliment, "Let this one stay, I'm intrigued by them."

"Suboptimal," responds another voice, this time clearly to the right and behind. Looking over a shoulder, the two speaking stand on opposite sides from one another.


The last to speak, a seven-foot tall goat man, is holding a broken shepherd's staff. The whole of the item is glowing with power and strands of magic wind outward like thread or like marionette strings, as they trail to the new arrivals body at all their joints. The goat man sighs and lowers the staff, dispelling the magic and the strands like extinguishing a flame. Colorful sparks and embers erupt and rise all around the stage, before cooling and disappearing into thin air.

"Welcome, you're one of the Pulled. Now, get off the stage," says that first voice again, from the other figure. They are a slim person of ambiguous gender and seemingly timeless age. They crack a smirk, "we have more of your kind to summon, the good Secretary Theodore will explain further,"

With that, it's time to explore what this strange place and experience holds, because there's seemingly no going back now.



Theodore is not his name...

Whether going willingly or getting kicked off, the most recent Pulled is moved into the off-stage area. A man waits, looking uneasy and stressed but doing his best to project some air of competency. He'll shake hands with anybody who'd like to but doesn't seem surprised or offended if they don't take his hand.

"Good to meet you. I'm Ted, Ydris' secretary," he has an overall exhausted air to him, as he pushes up his glasses.

Every Pulled gets the same, rehearsed explanation of what's going on.

First, a welcome to Myddvai, the name of the world they now find themselves pulled into. Myddvai is the vast World Tree, floating pleasantly through space. It is a highly magical place and thus not always the easiest to explain. He heeds that Pulled might want to curve any... expectations of perfect consistency. This world is highly unpredictable.

In the most basic terms, Myddvai is controlled by forces of Chaos and Order. All magic falls between these two extremes and is, curiously, denoted by flavor. The curious scent of cinnamon and vanilla is caused by the magic at work, summoning in the various Pulled. Ted introduces the two on the stage as Ydris and Ives, who are currently the two most powerful beings active on Myddvai. He urges that getting on either of their bad sides would be unwise.

The two on stage have devised this ritual summoning because the whole of Myddvai is in trouble. Ydris is one of five Dragon Deities, the living gods that oversee the natural order and chaotic forces throughout Myddvai.

Due to "a mishap," the other four Dragons are all unconscious. Many groups are scrambling to find their own solutions or, more concerningly, using this opportunity to seize various forms of control.

Ydris is aligned to Order and cannot allow such grabs at power on their, suddenly very solo, watch. Ives, who is a being with wisdom more ancient than even the gods of this world, has enlisted himself to help with this. The two agree they need outsiders with no biases on the politics of this world, and no motivation outside of what Ydris and Ives can offer them all. The prize for cooperation is a simple choice:

"Pulled are welcome to remain in the world and live out their mortal lives in luxury, heroes that will be favored by all the gods... or, be returned to your homes with new life and power. Even if you aren't interested in going home, there are others who are." Ted glances away for a moment, before his gaze returns to the Pulled, "The choice will be each of yours to make... provided you cooperate. If you're not interested in helping, you can be a normal citizen of the world. That's always an option."

Beyond that overwhelming lore dump, Ted can only answer so many further questions, but feel free to inquire with Ted. He's mostly around to field each Pulled as they're directed off stage to meet him. Other Pulled who have already heard the script can hang around in his space longer, but they'll probably get tired of the same speech over and over. Ted looks like he would love to stop...

Join the Audience

"You can join the rest of the audience. Mingle as much as you'd like," Ted urges to those done with their orientation.

There is only a curtain blocking the backstage from the seating area. Joining the audience reveals that the figures watching this ritual are animal, insect, and arachnid people. Dog, rat, bat, snake... all manner of heads sit expressively upon more human bodies, all dressed in sharp suits, gowns, or mixtures thereof. This appears to be quite the fancy affair!

These are Springtide Vampires, the aristocratic leaders of this particular culture. They eagerly invite Pulled in pairs to sit and socialize with them.

While a few lick their chops at the new arrivals, they insist they are not out for off-world blood. No, what they want is connections to the Pulled. Springtide Families are all headed by a Vampire, and those who grant resources to this endeavor are being promised great favors or riches by Ydris. So, they are hungry for clout more than anything. A few Vampires are interested in making conversation about themselves, but most prefer to simply eavesdrop on any Pulled sitting at their tables and speaking with one another.

Pulled who are especially interesting or social will be slipped a calling card with a family crest: Rat, Dog, Raven, Moth, Cat, or Spider. The Vampire granting the card will instruct Pulled that this will be valuable soon. So, hold onto it for later and guard it against thieves. Pulled can only acquire one of these cards each, so choose carefully. If Pulled decide to trade among themselves, that may come with future consequences.

((Note: Vampires will be NPCs available for interaction below, but players are free to handwave basic interactions, as described above. Receiving one of the calling cards can also be done at player discretion.))

The bar is open to a new you


At the far end of the cabaret is a long bar leading to a kitchen. Mysteriously, the cabaret has no discernable exit. There is a row of seats facing the bartenders and another facing the stage. Both rows are exclusive for Pulled, set aside from the Vampires. Everybody who was pulled in arrived wearing whatever they last had on. If an outfit was too revealing, damaged, or just not comfortable, then Pulled are offered a silken robe and slippers to wear instead.

Whether a waitress or bartender addresses a Pulled, they refer to them as their Myddvai Breed. "What would you like to drink, Elf?" "You look like a hungry Rahuth! How about something from the kitchen?" and so on. All Pulled take on recognizable characteristics native to Myddvai, features determined by the Pull of the universe. Any who ask are told that features are likely to continue to manifest the longer they're on Myddvai. Some Pulled might also experience their form shifting wildly between different breeds and are assured that will settle down eventually. This kind of transformation isn't painful, only strange to experience. Pulled can get told all the basic information available on Myddvai breeds at this time.

Pulled have plenty of time to chat just among themselves at the bar. If endless, freely provided alcohol isn't enough to loosen the tongue, then perhaps sharing a meal will? Pulled are required to order food as pairs or parties, individual requests won't be served. The menu is distinctly lacking in grains, dairy, and red meat, exclusively having vegetable dishes and various seafood on offer. It's all very flavorful and filling, seasoned well, and delivered warm.

If you're facing the stage, there's plenty more being pulled in... and come to find out, not everybody is allowed to stay.

The Ice Storm

Watch and it becomes clear that the ritual doesn't always result in worthwhile Pulled.

The room swells as the pair of powerful beings do each half of the summons. Ives steadies his staff and draws in the smoke generated by Ydris, who looks entirely different. Their human illusion is dropped during a summoning, showing their true form as a fantastical, wax-bodied being of fire and metal. Flames all swirl intensely, creating a smoke that is wound into concentrated magical strings of energy. These lines are what pull people out from their worlds, causing a void in reality from which they arrive through. The tear is quickly stitched back together by those same thread, weaving the space back together again behind the new arrival.

If a Pulled is deemed unworthy, Ives points the staff at them. A flash of light overtakes the entire room. The Vampires appear to all know just the time to duck or hide their eyes when this happens. Except a certain Sir Goodpoint the flash is his favorite part.

After this light dissipates, the person is gone. Seemingly returned home. One would... hope. The next ritual begins again, people stay or go. There seems to be a completely unknown ranking system at play. The Vampires casually mention how many Stars someone is worth in passing. Not everybody chosen has a high rank by this measure, so that doesn't seem to be the deciding factor.

A semi-regular occurrence is the Ice Storm. This is when an unwanted character is Pulled multiple times and everybody in attendance has gotten just so fed up with seeing them. One of the front-row Vampires seems to have started a trend, that of plucking an ice cube from their drink and throwing it at the offending Pulled. Basically, everybody in the audience takes this as a great opportunity to pelt the unwanted Pulled until Ives makes them go away, jeering and booing are optional.

All Pulled in the audience are given cups of ice, wordlessly encouraged to participate. Nobody subjected to the Ice Storm is allowed to remain. Any who stand to object to this will get the Ice Storm directed at themselves, instead. It won't get a Pulled who was already chosen sent back home, but they will get a good pelting for their trouble.

It also makes for a progressively funnier show as new Pulled appear and slip on the remains of the previous Ice Storm. Glad that wasn't you, right? Or maybe it was and now you understand why...


OOC Notes

Welcome to the Test Drive Meme for Myddvai's First Season!

This post is Open To All for play, both those with and without invites to our game are welcome to play in this space.

Players are allowed to play around with their character as any of the available breeds while on the TDM. TDM breed choice does not need to match an application. All threads from the TDM can remain canon even if breed is changed later when applying to game. The lore reason for this would be instability of a character's form when first pulled in. Breed choice cannot currently be changed once within the game, so choose wisely when applying!

As a reminder, TDM participation is a required part of our Application to join. Both top leveling your characters and tagging around is encouraged!

For those without Invites who are interested in applying, feel free to join our discord and inquire about potentially receiving an invite.

All Mod Invited Players are allowed to extend unlimited invites to those they wish.

For those with invitations, Reservations are open along with this TDM! Please put in a Reservation if you are intending to join the game.

Applications open on the 1st of February and priority will be given to Reserved players. The first round of acceptances to the game will go out Feb. 4th along with an IC Introduction Event.

Not sure what Breed you want to pick for your character? Head over to our Design Workshop! Moderation and other potential players would be happy to help brainstorm.

code bases by tricklet

Comments

Goodpoint and the other Vampires | NPCs

[familynames]

[Open to all prospective players, though mod responses may be limited. The vampires in attendance are rat, dog, raven, moth, cat, and spider. They graciously allow the Pulled to approach and introduce themselves.]

[enthraller]

[Fuck it, he'll play ball. Schmoozing with potentially useful people is standard practice for Saralegui. He selects the raven to approach based on little more than vibes and appreciation of that regal, exotic coloring.]

Are you all very important here? You seem to be the only locals that were invited to watch this.

[familynames]

[the raven has pitch black feathers fading at the neck into a jewel red tone. Her eye catches Saralegui as he approaches, looking him up and down briefly. The other eyes socket is overgrown with a spider lily, a feature all the Vampires appear to have, with some difference in placement between them.

She speaks with a breezy tone, like a drunk auntie.]

Yes, little thing, yes. We here head the major families within the Springtide Clan. Majesty Ydris' invited only the best of us. [she preens. Modesty isn't going to be a common trait among these sorts.]

[enthraller]

[Probably for the best. At least he knows how to handle preening, arrogant nobles. Saralegui smiles indulgently.]

I could have guessed as much. Where I come from, black like that is a color reserved for royalty.

[Demon royalty, specifically, but shh.]

[saltsplash]

[Not long after wandering off stage, Reigen finds a spot where he can rummage through his pockets, trying to take inventory on what exactly he had going on while he was here...

He was eyeing the vampires, perplexed by them, but he was also thumbing through his wallet to make sure he had cash in case he somehow needed it. He doesn't expect any of them to give him a chat.]

[familynames]

[Sybil is the first to approach him and she's both swift and confident in doing so. Her outfit is loose and flowering, silken drapery that flows with each movement of her many legs. Standing at his full height, Reigen will measure eyelevel to the more human hips she had before her lower body turned fully into a black widow's body, giving her a taur-like configuration. She overs a single gloved hand to him in greeting, another arm waving while other cross in front of her chest with fingers laced.]

A pleasure to meet you, Sir Arataka. I overheard your conversation with their Majesty, who gestured me your way. They must see something promising in you.

[the waving arm stops to tuck itself into her dress and produce a business card of her own. It is stamped with a spider emblem and HOUSE SYBIL in bold font.]

I believe they wish me to offer you this.

[saltsplash]

[OH GOD-- ok Reigen, composure is KEY here, don't let your fear of bugs overwhelm, she's a spider anyway not a roach and--

Despite his prolific sweating, Reigen gently takes her outstretched hand and... uh... ok old-time etiquette was not in his repertoire of mobpedia dives, he'll gently offer a handshake because he didn't think he could handle the embarrassment of gambling wrong if he kissed her hand or something.]

House Sybil! I see, you must be from a very important family. An honor to meet you, I am Reigen Arataka.

[That is definitely why he is sweating. ....Please ma'am attribute that to his sweatiness.]

[twofacedlight]

[ WHY IS ONE OF THEM A BIRD... AWFUL... JUST THE WORST......

While she won't make her fear obvious (or, at least, make a damn good effort not to), she's also deliberate in her choice to approach the cat vampire. ]

Good evening. [ Or, uh, she's assuming it's evening? Who actually knows.

Regardless of the time of day, Jyoti curtsies (a feat not easy to do when your lower half's like a jellyfish), like she would have any noble she crossed in the past. ] I'm honored to make your acquaintance. [ After all, she's intimately familiar with the kind of power that accompanies social status. And no matter the world, money and power talk. So talk she will. ]

[familynames]

[The cat woman is taking a long drag from an even longer pipe. She reaches out a velvet gloved hand to shake daintily with Jyoti. Smoke billows out of her nostrils as she speaks and her voice sounds like an old woman who has smoked ten thousand cigarettes.]

That you should be. [these Vampires clearly haven't known humility in ages. She pulls her hand back and pats the cushioned seat besides her in the booth, for Jyoti to join.]

Impress me. Say words. [at least she's... straight to the point?]

[twofacedlight]

[ Hey, she can appreciate someone who's straightforward and knows their worth. It's a good energy to match in her books.

Jyoti takes the seat next to her with a gracious smile. ] I'll gladly talk about whatever you wish. [ ... within reason. And with some obfuscation when necessary. ] Is there anything you would like to know?

[stopfen]

[Back home, Mikasa's 5'9 had made her a tall woman, her new antlers were only making her taller. Here she still felt short though, it made her snort a little. Just imagining Levi here and half the height of these people.

It didn't deter her from just walking up to the tallest motherfucker there though. They might have all been dressed up fancy, but that didn't mean much to her.]

So...Why are you guys here?

[They weren't servants and they weren't the people who'd summoned them so??]

[familynames]

[The rat, Vaughan, is so massive he's sitting in a booth without a table, fit into it like a throne. His ears twitch to listen to the inquisitive giant before him. The spindly hand he has wrapped around a small red cane taps it into the floor twice before he speaks. His voice is smooth, regal, and sharp. The most like one would imagine when hearing the word vampire]

We vampires, you mean? Majesty Ydris invited us, when demanding to make use of this venue of mine. They want us to take... stock of you all. [it sounds as if he meant to say livestock, only to correct his phrasing.]

Tell me, little doe. What are you interested in more; a new life or returning to your old one?

[stopfen]

['Giant' was the most misleading name, especially when Ratman was taller than her while sitting. Would she get taller to match her new Breed? She was still mostly human for now, just the antlers, fur and one fuzzy ear.

Mikasa thought about it. So he owned this place, that tracks given it's general opulence. The word 'stock' and the nickname got narrowed eyes, then the question got pursed lips. Even if it didn't take her long to answer. ]

I'm going home.

[Even if half her friends were long dead, the other half still needed her. Even if they only spoke through letters now.]

[eugenesis]

[These folks look like they can offer funding and connections. Scorponok died only half an hour ago, but he has learned very little in life and is prepared to resume his research into techno-genetics. Or - seeing the lack of machinery around here - work on his biology studies. His new body is certain to provide months of material.

And without any money earned from weapons dealings or military contracts, he has to start from the bottom.]

I see you're interesting in getting to know us. [He walks up to the moth vampire and holds a hand to his chin, looking very dramatic and contemplative, like the genius he is.] I'm Scorponok, researcher of alien lifeforms, both mechanical and organic. Geneticist, biological engineer, and former gladiator. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?

[familynames]

[A gloved hand with claws sticking out of the open fingertips takes Scorponok's proffered hand and gives it a firm shake.]

Sir Goodpoint. [His eyes alight at the words 'researcher' and 'engineer'. A second hand reaches into Sir Goodpoint's vest pocket and produces a card with a moth emblem and the words HOUSE GOODPOINT printed upon it. This, he holds out to Scorponok.]

TAKE THIS, merman. I wish to hear of your creations.

[eugenesis]

Merman? Is that what I will become? I've always wonder what it would be like to have an aquatic alt-mode.

[He won't be able to hide in the ground anymore, but the water holds many opportunities. Scorponok takes the card, moves to where his chest subspace pocket would be, and stops.]

I should buy a wallet before I leave. [He chuckles and keeps the card in his hand.] Where do I begin? I've reverse-engineering weaponry and technology from other planets, then used that to create something beneficial to myself or my clients.

[It was all very illegal.]

My passion was in melding the organic and mechanical - incorporating the strengths of flesh-based communication systems with out wires and code. Wooden drones, infinitely regenerating soldiers, blood-vessel display systems. Not all succeeded, but those that did, oh, was I proud of it.

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow will sit down amongst the vampires, nursing a whisky on the rocks. With his black fur with blood red accents, he fits right in. All he needs is a spider lily of his own, apparently. But he either has no idea, or -- more likely -- doesn't care about their aristocracy and speaks as he always does]

Interesting patchwork of species you have on this world of yours. Humans and animal people, and many things inbetween.

[familynames]

[The moth-man, Sir Goodpoint, looks the hedgehog over. This Pulled wearing gloves, so at least he's serious about propriety, unlike some of the others that have recently arrived.]

Is it not so on every world? Interesting.

[He gestures for Shadow to sit, though, not too close. Spikes, after all.]

What else is different? Do you have a sun? L A M P S?

[fivebooktrilogy]

[ Now a black-furred squirrel-based garden elf, Nod cautiously approaches one of the vampires. He supposes the best thing to do, until he learns otherwise, is simply to treat them like he would a visiting dignitary at home - although that's harder to do when no one's been formally introduced and you don't even know what to ask about regarding titles...

He clears his throat and begins with a nervous smile. ]

Ah, I've been told you're the heads of the "Springtide clan" - and that some of your clan make shoes? Something happened to mine on the way, it appears. I'd be interested in doing something about that.

[ Indeed, he is... well, not exactly barefoot, he's wearing white stockings (ones which his new claws are poking holes through), but he's certainly not wearing shoes. ...Nor gloves, for that matter, and yet it's the shoes he's worried about? ]

[familynames]

[The vampire willing to address Nod is, fortunately, the most inviting in his appearance and demeanor. His face is that of an expressive, wire haired dog, not unlike a Scottish terrier. The long whiskers obscure is rows of fanged teeth, though his grinning might unnerve those who consider it too long beyond the upfront friendly impression it gives.

The voice he speaks with is boisterous and loud, easy to make out even in the bustling room.]

Never known an elf who needed shoes! [he laughs, patting Nod all too rough on the back. If it wasn't for the big tail of his serving as a counterweight, it might have tossed him forward.] Those feet of yours are tough, finding shoes to fit won't be an easy task here. The Springtide are nearly all humans.

[kabedont]

[He hadn't actually been intending to introduce himself to the vampires - strictly speaking, Azhar still doesn't have that intention, mostly because he intends little at any given time.

Nonetheless, the rahuth ends up drifting closer after his conversation with Hector brought them to his attention more, wondering just what kind of lives they must lead. Every one is terribly unique, and that fact has him drift closer. Mostly, he's as quiet as ever, just listening to the vampires converse with Pulled and perhaps each other.

Does most of it make sense? Abso-fucking-lutely not, but that doesn't matter. What is he listening for? The world may never know. Just seeing what kind of creature they're most like back on the plains, maybe.]

[familynames]

[It seems Lady Sybil has been keeping a couple of her many eyes on Azhar. He's got a certain kind of personality and a definite appeal. She doesn't wait for another vampire to sneak in first, approaching him once he's outside the bar.

She gestures for him to reach out,]

Offer me your paw, little bear. I have a present for you.

[ktizo]

Well, he's been chatting up everyone else. Why not also chat with the vampires? Hythlodaeus approaches them with a smile, unsure of who to focus on so he just speaks to the two at the table at large.

"Greetings! You both seem to be enjoying the spectacle. Allow me to introduce myself properly- I am Hythlodaeus."

He almost adds Chief of the Bureau of the Architect to that statement, but... he's not anymore, is he? He's very long dead, the Bureau forgotten. His smile never wavers, however.

"And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"

[familynames]

[Sir Goodpoint, the Moth vampire, indeed does enjoy the spectacle. Mostly the flash of light that accompanies the dismissal of a rejected Pulled. He turns his attention to Hythlodaeus as he makes his introduction.]

Ah, manners. [Goodpoint notes, though the lack of the same from some other Pulled hasn't seemed to especially phase him.] Sir Goodpoint, of House Goodpoint.

[It is said in the manner of one who usually does not need to introduce themselves.]

[unshurety]

[at some point, Shu Keigetsu got a rat card, which she's staring at with a pinched expression; but it's up to fate if she can successfully avoid the rat representatives after escaping from that conversation...]

Haaah... of course.

((ooc: I know this is late, so it's fine if she can successfully keep away and not interact further -- just noting down that she got the card! ♥))