wildestmods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wildestmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
wildestlogs2021-10-01 09:11 pm
wildestmods) wrote in wildestlogs2021-10-01 09:11 pm
TEST DRIVE ※ 1
TEST DRIVE #1
These woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but being lost in them is pretty alarming to most people. Perhaps it's lucky you're hearing what sounds like... a party?
If you follow the sounds through thinning trees, a brick-paved road rises from the ground ahead. Keep going, and you'll find yourself approaching a bustling festival. Small, jaunty, colorful buildings line a way bedecked with flags, banners, and (of course) ever-present vendors.
Good morrow! Dost thou carest for a turkey leg? Some funnel cake? Modestly priced costume jewelry? Come right this way, dear visitor! The faire is here!
First, however, the faeries would like a moment of your time. At one of the entry gates, a spritely, brightly-dressed faerie tells you, "Tickets are long-since sold out, but joy is one currency we accept. So as long as you plan to enjoy yourselves, you may enter with a day pass. However, please read the sign. By entering, it means you agree to the terms."
The faerie points to a large wooden sign with words painted on it. The sign says something to the effect that the summer faeries are not responsible for anything that happens at the faire, and by entering you're agreeing to exempt them from indemnifying you for not offering the same magical protections they offer proper ticket holders in the unlikely event of surprise and disaster, etc etc.
Fortunately, it's actually not that different from a standard legal agreement for some kind of dangerous activity like go-cart racing. Of course faeries would be careful about any legal disclaimers for events.
USEFUL LINKS
A FAIRE SHAKE
A renaissance faire is in full swing in the woods today, or so it would seem. But no one here is just playing a part: these outsize personalities, bright costumes, and pseudo-Elizabethan voices are perfectly real.
It's the only place you can go for food and appropriate clothing. Also there's magic at your feet, drawing you towards others bound by the Quest magic, making it so all paths seem to lead to the Faire. Even if you don't want to enter, it feels like you have to, like there's something important to find.
a) The Faerie Toll
Some of the faeries are lighthearted and cheerful, with round and heart shaped faces and brightly colored clothes. These summer faeries are willing to part with some faerie coin in exchange for certain actions. Anyone that watches others take them up on their deals can see that the actions are indeed harmless, and there is no catch. Apparently happiness and frivolity really can be exchanged with the faeries here. Ways to earn a small bit of coin: physical comedy, agreeing to a round in the dunk tank (yes they have one), telling the faeries a good joke (but it really has to be a good one, by faerie standards), letting oneself getting pied in the face, and pieing someone you're with in the face, among other things. Silly dances are also in high demand, especially ones with actual rules vs. ones that are made up on the spot, with a clear preference for moves like tiktok dances, the macarena, or the Hustle.
Some of the faeries are lighthearted and cheerful, with round and heart shaped faces and brightly colored clothes. These summer faeries are willing to part with some faerie coin in exchange for certain actions. Anyone that watches others take them up on their deals can see that the actions are indeed harmless, and there is no catch. Apparently happiness and frivolity really can be exchanged with the faeries here. Ways to earn a small bit of coin: physical comedy, agreeing to a round in the dunk tank (yes they have one), telling the faeries a good joke (but it really has to be a good one, by faerie standards), letting oneself getting pied in the face, and pieing someone you're with in the face, among other things. Silly dances are also in high demand, especially ones with actual rules vs. ones that are made up on the spot, with a clear preference for moves like tiktok dances, the macarena, or the Hustle.
b) New and In Stock
You tried to steal from the faeries instead of paying their toll, or have otherwise misbehaved. The faeries like your moxie, though. They'll let you keep what you took (if you took something), but first you're gonna have to do some time in the stocks.
Will anyone take mercy on you and bust you loose? Does anyone have a tomato? Perhaps you meet someone else while they're suffering a similar punishment in the other stocks across from you. If you didn't actually steal, maybe you got framed. Or you're in the stocks with your "partner in crime" who you were falsely accused of being affiliated.
Fortunately, you won't be in there overly long. Even if you can't escape and no one busts you out, the faeries aren't particularly cruel and the absolute worst you'll get thrown your way by the crowd is a fruit.
If you push, the faeries might also let you out if someone else agrees to be responsible for your good behavior. This could, naturally, lead to both of you doing more time together.
You tried to steal from the faeries instead of paying their toll, or have otherwise misbehaved. The faeries like your moxie, though. They'll let you keep what you took (if you took something), but first you're gonna have to do some time in the stocks.
Will anyone take mercy on you and bust you loose? Does anyone have a tomato? Perhaps you meet someone else while they're suffering a similar punishment in the other stocks across from you. If you didn't actually steal, maybe you got framed. Or you're in the stocks with your "partner in crime" who you were falsely accused of being affiliated.
Fortunately, you won't be in there overly long. Even if you can't escape and no one busts you out, the faeries aren't particularly cruel and the absolute worst you'll get thrown your way by the crowd is a fruit.
If you push, the faeries might also let you out if someone else agrees to be responsible for your good behavior. This could, naturally, lead to both of you doing more time together.
c) I'm Just Here For the Turkey Leg
Wandering lost in the woods is hungry work. Maybe you know better than to eat food offered by faeries, but the humans of the faire should be safe enough, right? Where else are you going to find a whole turkey leg, a funnel cake, or a cold beer around here? The lines can get pretty long though, and sometimes orders get mixed up, or someone swipes what was yours! Maybe they bump into you and spill food down your front. Or perhaps you see someone with no money and decide to offer to share.
Some of the food seems out of this world or is clearly made for a more alien palate (not always in an appetizing way). Most of the food has big enough portions if you're not the only one eating
Wandering lost in the woods is hungry work. Maybe you know better than to eat food offered by faeries, but the humans of the faire should be safe enough, right? Where else are you going to find a whole turkey leg, a funnel cake, or a cold beer around here? The lines can get pretty long though, and sometimes orders get mixed up, or someone swipes what was yours! Maybe they bump into you and spill food down your front. Or perhaps you see someone with no money and decide to offer to share.
Some of the food seems out of this world or is clearly made for a more alien palate (not always in an appetizing way). Most of the food has big enough portions if you're not the only one eating
d) Surely, You Joust
Whether you're just watching, betting on the outcome, or have convinced someone to armor you up and put you on a horse, the jousting tournament is a major event! Will anyone be able to unseat the intimidating Black Knight? Have you started a rivalry with a competitor you just met in a line twenty minutes ago? Are you helping another member of the squad by pumping them up for their match? Or are you just over here to see how many horses you can pet without anyone noticing?
Even those not interested in the competition might want to give it a whirl. There are different rewards for unseating certain levels of competitors like food supplies, flasks of boozeahol, small bags of silver or gold, and weapons of moderate quality, like swords, knives, or bows.
For those that don't own their own armor and lances, some light armor and lances are on loan but the armor is all dinged up and the lances are easily broken, putting someone using them at a disadvantage.
Whether you're just watching, betting on the outcome, or have convinced someone to armor you up and put you on a horse, the jousting tournament is a major event! Will anyone be able to unseat the intimidating Black Knight? Have you started a rivalry with a competitor you just met in a line twenty minutes ago? Are you helping another member of the squad by pumping them up for their match? Or are you just over here to see how many horses you can pet without anyone noticing?
Even those not interested in the competition might want to give it a whirl. There are different rewards for unseating certain levels of competitors like food supplies, flasks of boozeahol, small bags of silver or gold, and weapons of moderate quality, like swords, knives, or bows.
For those that don't own their own armor and lances, some light armor and lances are on loan but the armor is all dinged up and the lances are easily broken, putting someone using them at a disadvantage.
e) Everyone's a Comedian
You (and maybe your threadmate) are being teased by a pair of funnymen doing a bit, be they jesters, Punch and Judy style puppets, or a pair of washing well wenches. The audience is delighted, but are you? What are you both going to do?
You (and maybe your threadmate) are being teased by a pair of funnymen doing a bit, be they jesters, Punch and Judy style puppets, or a pair of washing well wenches. The audience is delighted, but are you? What are you both going to do?
f) Wares, If You Have Coin
You're here! You have some gold! Time to get yourself some "period appropriate" (for varying values of both words) gear. Have you found a shopping buddy? What if you resell some goods you just picked up at a slight markup? Are you suspicious of the quality of a vendor's goods? Maybe this item over here is the last of its kind, and you and this stranger want it!
You're here! You have some gold! Time to get yourself some "period appropriate" (for varying values of both words) gear. Have you found a shopping buddy? What if you resell some goods you just picked up at a slight markup? Are you suspicious of the quality of a vendor's goods? Maybe this item over here is the last of its kind, and you and this stranger want it!
g) Stop! Thief!
Someone picked your pocket or snatched something out of your hands! It might even be your thread partner. Do you give chase? If your threadmate isn't the thief, are they helping you chase the thief down or getting in your way?
Someone picked your pocket or snatched something out of your hands! It might even be your thread partner. Do you give chase? If your threadmate isn't the thief, are they helping you chase the thief down or getting in your way?
h) Archery Range
Are you taking the chance to start learning a new skill on the practice targets? If it's any incentive, several fair maidens and handsome young fellows are hanging about, flirting with the best shots. If you're already good, you might be competing in the archery competition for a prize! The targets are close enough you can make conversation with the person one target over.
Are you taking the chance to start learning a new skill on the practice targets? If it's any incentive, several fair maidens and handsome young fellows are hanging about, flirting with the best shots. If you're already good, you might be competing in the archery competition for a prize! The targets are close enough you can make conversation with the person one target over.
i) Fortune Told
A stubborn young blonde woman in a long purple robe with a pointed hat - one that looks more than a little bit witchy - is determined to read your fortune for you. Loudly. Whether you like it or not. She has to demonstrate her skills to drum up business, you see! Now please hold your hand still, she just needs to get a good look at your fate line...
(Note: Players will have to npc the fortuneteller says in their thread and can go absolutely wildly wrong. However, sometimes the fortuneteller suddenly gets more intense and guesses a few things closer to the truth...)
A stubborn young blonde woman in a long purple robe with a pointed hat - one that looks more than a little bit witchy - is determined to read your fortune for you. Loudly. Whether you like it or not. She has to demonstrate her skills to drum up business, you see! Now please hold your hand still, she just needs to get a good look at your fate line...
(Note: Players will have to npc the fortuneteller says in their thread and can go absolutely wildly wrong. However, sometimes the fortuneteller suddenly gets more intense and guesses a few things closer to the truth...)
j) Out of Water
You draw attention to yourself with your behavior, or by how strange your manner of dress is (according to the faire folk, anyway.) Perhaps you have a still-functioning small electronic like a smartphone that's unlike anything they've ever seen. People are starting to give you the stink eye or ask you invasive questions. Will your threadmate help you out?
You draw attention to yourself with your behavior, or by how strange your manner of dress is (according to the faire folk, anyway.) Perhaps you have a still-functioning small electronic like a smartphone that's unlike anything they've ever seen. People are starting to give you the stink eye or ask you invasive questions. Will your threadmate help you out?
k) Bargaining With the Fae
There are some faeries here that are different from the sunny, cheerful summer faeries running the fair. These are the winter faeries, more ethereal and elegant, more immaculately dressed in finery that's a little too fancy for the event. Despite their beauty - or maybe because of it - these faeries are...colder. Many of them are busying themselves with maintaining magical lanterns around the edges of the faire. If asked, they tell your character they're handling security and to bug off.
But some of them maintain stands in shadier-looking areas of the faire. They're willing to offer more in exchange for greater payment. Warm, durable clothing to cut through the slight chill that comes at evening and night time. Swords made of much stronger metals than can be found elsewhere, of better make, with edges that take forever to dull. Bows with strings that rarely ever break.
Their deals are definitely backhanded though. For payment, they might say something like "we could really use your view on something, just a half hour of your time" and instead of having you participate in conversation where your insight is welcome, you lose your ability to see for a half hour.
These effects are unpleasant but usually temporary, lasting no longer than a half hour or so - but it's not like they'll tell you that. And if you try to go back to the stall afterwards to confront them, they'll have mysteriously disappeared. You'll at least get to keep whatever your bought and it will be of good quality, but the joke is definitely on you.
There are some faeries here that are different from the sunny, cheerful summer faeries running the fair. These are the winter faeries, more ethereal and elegant, more immaculately dressed in finery that's a little too fancy for the event. Despite their beauty - or maybe because of it - these faeries are...colder. Many of them are busying themselves with maintaining magical lanterns around the edges of the faire. If asked, they tell your character they're handling security and to bug off.
But some of them maintain stands in shadier-looking areas of the faire. They're willing to offer more in exchange for greater payment. Warm, durable clothing to cut through the slight chill that comes at evening and night time. Swords made of much stronger metals than can be found elsewhere, of better make, with edges that take forever to dull. Bows with strings that rarely ever break.
Their deals are definitely backhanded though. For payment, they might say something like "we could really use your view on something, just a half hour of your time" and instead of having you participate in conversation where your insight is welcome, you lose your ability to see for a half hour.
These effects are unpleasant but usually temporary, lasting no longer than a half hour or so - but it's not like they'll tell you that. And if you try to go back to the stall afterwards to confront them, they'll have mysteriously disappeared. You'll at least get to keep whatever your bought and it will be of good quality, but the joke is definitely on you.
l) Wild Card!
You can make up anything your character might reasonably see at a normal Renaissance Faire, or place an encounter in the woods nearby! Go wild!
You can make up anything your character might reasonably see at a normal Renaissance Faire, or place an encounter in the woods nearby! Go wild!
❧ This counts as a plot and is part of game canon! This means that new players aren't the only ones that can make top-levels. Current characters can be thrown in like it's any other plot or event. The default for threads is that they're game canon if all characters involved are apped in or already in game, but prospective players may opt out and consider a thread non-canon if they're not happy with it.
❧ Feel free to play around with powers. If your character has powers from canon you want to play around with, go for it. If you'd like to test out possibilities for game powers, also go for it. Feel free to change it up from thread to thread if you need to. If you want to keep a thread as canon this can be handwaved as the magic making characters' powers shift a few times before settling.
❧ Potential players may use test drive threads as their log samples. However, at least one post in their thread must fit the requirements for apps, and in quality and length (200 words). If you do plan on using a thread as a sample, please make sure the writing throughout your threads is a good example of your writing skills and has some solid examples of the character's voice.
❧ Players can count TDMs towards AC, with the same AC rules as any other threads.
❧ The game is invite-only. Players without invites are allowed to tdm since some of them may know someone in game to ask for one, and since some people enjoy TDMs just for fun in games they don't plan to app into. But an invite is required during the apping process.
❧ The game is at a starting cap at 30 players. Right now the current number of invitees is likely to not exceed the game's 30 slots, but if we go a few over they will still be allowed to app during this first round. Future apps will be rolling apps and will have a wait queue if the cap has been exceeded.
❧ Invites at game start are limited to current and former players of the mods' previous game Piper90 (
piper90), former players of the first incarnation of Wilderlands (wilderlands, and people friended to the main mod's plurk. If any of those individuals want to invite someone outside those pools in the first app round, they can request it when the mods make a headcount of potential appers. If the game will be under (or only slightly over) 30 players to start, some extra players may also be invited, but the mods want to limit it to exceed the player cap too much. ❧ The first game round will be apps only, no reserves. Apps open: 10/15/21. Game start: 11/01/21
duck newton | the adventure zone (amnesty)
[ It's faerie toll time, babey. Duck is pretty sure he's losing his entire fucking mind. And that does have its many downsides. But the positive side is, between this he's experiencing currently and the theming of his life before now, he's moved on to some shade of this might as well happen in record time. If there's an air to him, it's one of overall tiredness. Of (at least for the moment) well-contained dismay.
He's simply a man, in a forest ranger's uniform and an athletic helmet, holding a skateboard, with a metallic belt that has a mouth for a buckle for some reason, about to barter with faeries for some walking-around money. A dipshit with a nonsense cause. It's like, at this point, why not? ]
Now just as a, uhhhhhh, a first order of business. I am coming into this with some good faith that y'all have all the appropriate permits in order to operate your magic carnival deep in the center of this here enchanted forest. If you don't-- well if you don't, I guess it doesn't actually matter either way, 'cause I'm outta my jurisdiction and not a, uh. Police... officer. Like, I'm just a dude? I'm basically a dude back home, but I can technically be considered an authority figure on account of bein' a forest ranger. So out here I guess I'm twice as regular-dude as I was. I mean, don't tell me if you don't have permits. Whoever that guy was with the cat in the box, right? Ethically speaking. But also if you did tell me, it's whatever?
[ He might be spiraling. Okay, he's definitely spiraling. A little. Some of the faeries are laughing. Some of them seem unsure what exactly to do with... all that.
Duck brings himself to a halt, sort of pulls himself back together, pinching the bridge of his nose. ]
Y'know what, I'm gonna just sign up for the dunk tank. Is that cool? Make it a Duck tank. If I'm gonna be out here in parts unknown, I need money for a comically-sized mutton leg or a churro or somethin'. Damn.
[ Shortly thereafter, Duck can in fact also be found pulling dunk tank duty! Or freshly out of dunk tank duty and all the more soaked for it. He may or may not have some regrets, but he'll be open to interacting with basically anyone who looks as confused about this entire situation as he is. ]
c.
[ Duck tragically does not find his churro. But that's whatever, because he found funnel cake and that's about on par. This is his life now. Funnel cake in the deep forest. All manner of foods that can and probably will attract local wildlife eventually. Depending on the wildlife.
It's awful mystical out here, though. Who knows what their rules are?
He just sorta chills in this emotional space for a while, meandering around with his food, taking in the sights, all that good stuff. He's keeping a sharp eye on the people around him, partly for the more obvious reason that he doesn't know anybody or what their intent is, least of all the faeries running this joint. But also for another reason, which does become evident as he starts addressing some passersby over time. The reason is Forest Ranger Shit. ]
Hey- hey, man, listen. I'm gonna have to ask you to pick up that wrapper and, uh, dispose of that in an appropriate trash receptacle. We might be out here havin' a good time in a lost world untouched by the ravages of industrial progress, I can't say for sure, but like. It's kind of a dick move either way. And I did swear a whole oath that revolved around preservation and wildlife and whatnot.
[ If your character has not or would be the sort to litter, no problem! This cannot stop Duck from interacting with them. RIP. Here he goes, because as established, this is his life now. ]
I'm not talking outta my ass here, right?
h.
[ If he agrees to take a hack at the archery range solely to piss Beacon off and hear about it later, that's his business. The important thing is, he's here. And he's got his helmet, so that's at least a confidence booster that he probably won't die by self-inflicted arrow. Small victories.
Duck sort of sucks at it, all told. As a man who up until very recently was able to draw upon the ancient warrior powers and reflexes of a cool alien or whatever to excel physically, he clearly and openly finds this pretty frustrating. After giving it more sincere effort than he was still giving to training back in Kepler and not really seeing returns on investment, he opts to invest in something much more his speed: sighing. ]
I mean, when do the perks of getting 'Kid in King Arthur's Court'-ed kick in? 'cause the training montages in all these movies look way cooler.
l.
[ obligatory wildcard! hit me up for whatever! ]
h
I don't know, I'd say the food's been a pretty good perk.
[Finally managing to successfully nock the arrow he draws back, lets it fly...and it bounces off the dirt five feet in front of him. He frowns to himself for a moment before glancing to Duck, and shrugging it off with a self effacing smile, them making the walk of shame to pick the arrow back up.]
To be fair, pretty sure those montages were meant to take place over days or weeks, and had the magic of editing on their side.
no subject
Sure, maybe that's not very chosen hero of him. These wilderlands or whatever are just gonna get what they get, though. He's only obligated to bring results if he gets into something on purpose. ]
I guess, man. It's just like, we're dyin' out here, y'know? Figuratively. And that's tough on morale.
[ He has at least enough sense not to fire off another arrow until the walk of shame has successfully ended. Truly the last thing anyone needs is an arrow wound. ]
B- you know what, it also doesn't help much that there's spectators waiting to hand out tokens of favor and the like? That's almost worst pressure than actual danger is.
no subject
At the comment about them dying, the arrow gets away from him with a barely audible curse and drops to his feet. Unable to help himself he looks over his shoulder at the mentioned lingering spectators, lips very briefly pursing in a stern judgmental sort of way, before he quickly shrugs it off, throwing Duck a consolatory smile.]
Eh, having the people paying me breathing down my neck kinda feels like a slice of home, honestly. Could be worse.
[Picking up the arrow he once again begins the process of struggling with it.]
At least if you fuck up in a funny enough way, they give you money anyway. So there is the option of shooting under the bar on purpose.
[He's joking. Mostly. But he may have learned that lesson from experience. Duck has it right. This place got what it got and can just deal with it.]
no subject
[ He nocks and fires another arrow. It's sort of maintaining his base level of unimpressive. Which... he doesn't know, maybe that's fine. He probably isn't actually gonna have to do a video game boss fight with this thing.
Duck does pause to consider his whole situation for a second. ]
I realize that may be, uh, pretty disconcerting to hear from a guy in a forestry service uniform. Please rest assured that I take my duties highly seriously on that front. I have only the highest diligence reserved for the care and keeping of the Earth's natural, uhhhhhhhhh. Natural splendor.
h
[ Kevin - well, mostly Kevin's absolutely freakish
dexterity diceability to do anything requiring grace and precision - is currently doing Surprisingly Okay for a raw amateur. Fuck, look at him pull back that bow string. That's hard, that takes some muscle, and this behoodied skate punk is not a big guy around the shoulders or in any other respect. It's uncanny and weird. He plunks an arrow somewhat left of center, but definitely on the target. ]Maybe you just need more practice?
no subject
Kinda wild how two dudes with skateboards got pulled into the same mysterious forest shitshow at the same time. Duck's not sure he can say that's comforting, but it's not objectively awful. On the whole he's finding a lot of solidarity seeing how many other folks have no idea what's going on. ]
Hell, man, maybe I just need to get behind one of those jousters and invent skitchin'. You do it first on another planet, you earn that credit.
[ No one:
Duck: for personal reasons, I've already decided this is a mass alien abduction. Now we don't have to worry about making our polaroids fade away Marty McFly style. ]