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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
Re: Stonks
You know that they give you money for relatively minor stuff. I gave a lock of my hair for some coins.
[She pauses. She's not sure how this kid would react to anything resembling charity. Probably unfavorably. She'll decides to work up to that.]
I'm Elle. I want to make it clear that you don't owe me anything. I saw you in trouble and you looked kind of freaked out and I'm definitely freaked out by this whole thing. It was a selfish decision, really. I don't want to be all alone in this place and you gave me a good excuse.
[She flashes him a small, friendly smile without showing her canines and makes sure to use non-threatening body language. She doesn't know how much this cub's instincts match with her own, but she imagines that there's probably some crossover.]
[What she really wants to show him is that he isn't alone. She doesn't know what a Ventrexian is, but she knows what it's like to stand out. She also knows what it's like to be a cat in a world of dogs, so to speak. If they find a place that's more private, maybe she'll show him her Sokto form. It's not as nearly as pleasant or cute as he is, but there's enough similarities that he might understand what she's trying to say. He doesn't need to be afraid with her.]
Re: Stonks
[He is grateful. So far he can tell that some of the other peopl that got kidnapped are maybe decent people.]
I, um, I just didn't want to have to trade anything for money. They wanted me to do dances, because they thought it'd be [he does quoteyfingers] "cute."
[He shrugs one shoulder and looks away.]
But I've had to do undignified things to be fed before and I'm so over that.
[He'd spent three years under the Lord Commander's thumb and the dictator hadn't been above withholding food and making him beg. He's not going to dance for anyone to get money to eat and buy the supplies he needs.]
Re: Stonks
Here, take mine. I have no issue making a fool of myself for more.
[She hands him the pouch of coins she was given. There's still a sizable amount of coins left, definitely enough for a meal and some supplies.]
This way you don't have to worry about getting caught over the petty stuff.
[She waits for him to take it before asking a question.]
You got a name, cub?
Re: Stonks
I'll just - I'll just take a little.
[He squares it away in a little pouch.]
I'm Little Cato. What's your name?
Re: Stonks
Don't worry about taking too much, I really don't need it. I can hunt for myself.
[She flashes a playful grin, showing canines that are just a little too big and too sharp. Then she lets her smile soften into something softer and more genuine.]
I'm Elle. I'm not from around here. Am I right in guessing you're not either?
no subject
[The canines don't faze him. He's curious because she looks human otherwise, but what does he know about humans. Maybe they all secretly have fangs and it just never came up with his dad and Quinn? They don't seem the types to bare their fangs at anyone.]
No. I fell through this...tunnel. And there were voices. Then I woke up in the woods and saw this place. I figured I could get supplies here.
I need to get back to my ship. My crew was...we were facing something really, really bad.
no subject
[He talks about his crew the way Elle talks about her pack. Like they're his family. She crouches down so that she can meet his eyes and starts reaching out her hand. She wants to gently put it on his shoulder, but is giving him plenty of time to reject it.]
That's how I got here too. I'm sorry you've been separated from your crew.
I've been separated from my pack, too. I want to get back to them. They're... I hate being apart from them. This whole situation is really scary.
[Elle lets some of the emotion that she's been suppressing leak into her voice. She's spent this whole time trying to stay calm and not freak out, but it would probably do Little Cato some good to know he's not alone right now.]
Since we're both stranded here, and both trying to get back home, wanna do it together? I would feel better having someone to watch my back. Stray cubs gotta stick together, after all.
no subject
I've run into some other people here. They were nice. They might want to tag along if we find anything to poke our noses into. I'll point them out if we run into them.
[He trots alongside her, looking around but also looking at her occasionally.]
What did you mean by "pack"? Other than the canines, you look human, and I've never heard humans use that to describe groups of humans. My dad is human and he's never talked about our crew that way. He calls us a squad.
[A pause.]
And a team. A team squad.
no subject
[Elle wonders what he is. She's pretty sure he's not a Bastet. Maybe some sort of fae? He called himself something starting with a 'V'. Maybe it's a type of faerie she hasn't heard of before. Maybe he's a pooka who's messing with her, but she doesn't think so.]
I'm... not only human. Or just part human? More than some, less than others.
[Elle realizes she's rambling. She not used to having to tell others who or what she is. Most of them already know.]
[She considers avoiding the question altogether, but she wants Little Cato to trust her. Honesty is probably the best policy in this situation.]
I'm a Bastet. A cat-shifter, if you don't know. What about you? I have some guesses but none of them quite fit.
no subject
[Some species in his world can interbreed. He thinks she means that, that she's got some traits that she can shift to because of being multiple things.]
I'm Ventrexian. Um, not human. Humans are aliens.
I mean, I'm an alien. [He rambles on.] But when you're an alien you think of the other species as aliens.
I'm from a planet called Ventrexia.
But I'm familiar with humans. One of my dads is human. He adopted me. And my friend Quinn, she's human, too. But they're just normal humans. They can't do any shifting, whatever that is.
no subject
[It takes a minute for her to even process that fact. She stops walking, for a moment.]
[Fuck it, it's been a weird day. This might as well be happening. She continues walking.]
I'm from Earth. I don't think mixed species is a super accurate way of describing it, but there's enough spirit and magic bullshit involved that I honestly don't have a better way to put it.
I look human right now, but I can transform into other forms. One of them kind of looks like you.
I can show you if you'd like, but not in the middle of all these people. We'd have to go into the woods some. I understand if you don't want to, you have no real reason to trust me.
no subject
[He's just being careful.]
But I'll take your word for it.
So you're a human that can turn basically into a Ventrexian. That's actually pretty cool.
no subject
I like to think it's pretty cool, too. Better than the alternative, at least.
[She get lost in thought for a second before shaking it off.]
So, aliens? I'll admit that that's a new one for me. I mean, I've been to the moon, and the sun, but not, you know. Corporeally.
[Elle's beginning to realize that she probably isn't making much sense and tries to change the subject to something a bit more grounded.]
You said you've got an adoptive dad? I've got an adoptive mom. Two, I guess, because the woman who raised me didn't end up being my biological mother.
no subject
[But then he raises an eyebrow at everything else she says.]
Welcome to the club, I guess.
[He shrugs one shoulder.]
Gary - he's the human one - took me in when I was alone. With my other "dad" [You can practically hear the quote] ...it's a lot more complicated.
no subject
[Elle pushes down the emotions that come with thinking of her own father.]
But your family- your crew. They take care of you? They treat you well?
[This is important. She needs to know that he's safe.]
After I learned about my mom, I was in a pretty vulnerable place. I was lucky to have found my pack by then. Someone could've taken advantage of me pretty easily if it weren't for them.
no subject
It hasn't been easy.
[He looks sad.]
And we've lost some people.
[He nods his head back and forth and the sadness fades slightly.]
And back home we're basically staring into the face of oblivion but if we have to do that, there isn't anyone else I'd rather do it with besides them.
no subject
Shit, cub. That's... a lot.
[Elle briefly wonders what her chances would be if she tried to convince Little Cato not to go home, but quickly puts it aside. She would never accept that option and it seems unlikely that he would either. ]
I've experienced something similar. A few years ago my society faced an existential threat and there was no place I'd rather be than with my pack. We only got though it by sticking together.
[She can see how much he misses his family. She misses her pack, too.]
But we'll get back to our families, that I'm sure of. They're probably going crazy looking for us.
[She smiles at him, trying to look comforting.]
While we're here it might be a good idea to stick together, if we can. If you're willing.
I know I'd feel better having someone as resourceful as you around. Maybe we can put our heads together and figure out how to get back home.
no subject
And then maybe we can keep meeting up at a meeting place to check in? If I have to move on to find a way back to my crew, I, uh...I wouldn't mind not having to do it alone.
[He scratches the back of his neck.]
And this place looks nice but it's also kinda shady. I'd be glad to watch your back and help you get back to your people too.
[Couching it as "yes, Little Cato, you would be helpful as an ally" works a lot better than what it really is - her looking out for a kid. Because he'd insist he isn't one, that he's a tough man-cat now.]
no subject
[Elle smiles reassuringly to show that she isn't judging him.]
Checking in is a good plan. I kind of hate being alone like this and you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. I'm glad I found you, you've got an impressive skillset.
Let me know if you need help with anything. We're in this together now and we can't help each other out if one of us is in trouble.
[Phrasing things in terms of his 'usefulness' to her breaks Elle's heart a little, but she gets it. He wouldn't trust anything her if she said other wise. She just hopes that she can get through to him at some point.]