TEST DRIVE MEME ( 019 )

[lifeaftr_mods]

Test Drive Meme #19

Hello, and welcome to LifeAftr! We’re pleased that you’re expressing an interest in the game. Here, you can test the waters, gauge how your character may fare in the world of LifeAftr, and even gain some in-game incentives, if you so choose.

Remember that Reserves will open on January 17th, and Applications on January 24th!

Two important notes:

1. LifeAftr's test drives take place on the island of Mu, which exists apart from the real world and possesses a dream-like quality that characters are innately aware of from the moment they appear on its shores. No need to panic or fret. Dreams are odd things, after all - and anything can happen in them. Why would anyone question where their mind chooses to wander in its sleep?

2. Due to the nature of Mu, threads in our test drive can not only be accepted as thread samples in your application, but can be accepted as game canon as well. In fact, certain choices your character makes in Mu have the potential to bear in-game consequences, largely in the form of test drive reward items.

Let's Be Heroes
Back in December on the recent island of Maati, the Trial of the Brave was intended to challenge those who approached life with hesitation; the timid, the uncertain, and those who trend too easily toward inaction. Mu, of course, has a habit of neglecting the finer details. And thus...here you are, whether you need the intended lesson or not.

Armed with nothing more than a torch, a short sword, and the clothes on your back, you're sure to enjoy the scenic view of labyrinthine stone walls, low-hanging ceilings, sharp corners hiding all sorts of secrets, and a thick, foreboding darkness. Your light, and the torches of others making their way through the dark, are the only breaks in the seemingly uniform dark.

Those and the lights of the eyes of the other things down here with you, of course. Hidden throughout the maze are scattered innumerable creatures, all of them happy to take advantage of those wandering about on their own. Nighthooks are fiendish, shadowy monsters that appear in the shape of a long-fingered hand. While they cannot physically hurt anything, they specialize in slinking out of the darkness to snuff out any light source they can find...like your torch, for example. Also abundand are the grimlings, hulking, dog-like creatures composed of a seaweed-like blackness and glowing coals for eyes. Should you come across one, several more are bound to be nearby, as they travel in packs. And they are always hungry.

For those lucky enough not to stumble across these creatures? Enjoy your stumble through the dark. There's an exit around here somewhere, if you look hard enough. Probably.

The Waiting Game
The second trial Mu has appropriated is the Trial of the Patient. This test was named for those who exhibit the very antithesis of patience, initially intended to draw in the brash, the reckless, those easily incited into action, and so on. Instead of a dark and lengthy maze, Mu has instead concocted a brightly lit room to test your patience, and lack thereof.

So you should have no trouble at all seeing the entirety of the expansive, gaping void that stretches between you and the only way out.

Stranded on a singular ledge, the space in which you wake is white and seemingly infinite. No ceilings or walls are visible, and peering over the edge of the small platform reveals no flooring below to catch you. The only distinct characteristics to this room are the door opposite you, positioned some couple hundred feet away. There's nothing for you to grab or cling to in order to make your way over there faster. In fact, nothing else seems to help, either. Flight, teleportation, gadgets, you name it - each attempt will inevitably fail, and give you just enough time to contemplate all the ways you went wrong as you go plummeting down (or is it up?) into that endless void. What a shame. Luckily for you, this dream is happy to give you a second chance! And a third, and a fourth...and however many it takes, really. Those who fall will, just as the initial adrenaline shock starts to run out, abruptly find themselves standing right back on the platform where they started. Once again, they'll find themselves staring at that infuriating, impossible-to-reach door. Seems like you may be stuck where you are, for the time being.

We say "for the time being," because the other distinct attribute of this loosely defined room is a second platform, drifting steadily from the doorway to your position. Once it reaches you, you'll be able to climb aboard, and be safely ferried across the room to the exit you so greatly desire. Once it reaches you. Once it...well, it seems to be taking some time. A few minutes. An hour. Something in that ballpark, maybe. Got a good book on you? No? Guess you'll have to find some other way to wile away the time.

You, and whoever else you happen to be stuck with.

Water Rising
The island of Ensō is a relatively flat island, aside from a lone, steep mountain to the north. Mu is less so. It tends to mold itself to whatever shape best suits it, and in this case? It has chosen Ensō. And so that is where you find yourself - positioned at the base of its mountain, no less, only several feet up the beginnings of its slope. Unfortunately, there's not much time to take in the new scenery. Stretched out along the island's coast is a beach of glittering white sand. Further inland, the green sprawl of a jungle blots the horizon. But there's also plenty of ocean. And therein lies the problem.

Creeping through the treelines and rapidly pooling about the mountain's base, said ocean levels are rising quickly. Very quickly. Those who wish to stay and enjoy the view of an island underwater are welcome to it. For everyone else, the only other option is the obvious one: to climb.

To climb very, very quickly. As luck would have it, the rising waters aren't the only danger present. Those too slow to escape its wrath will surely drown, but the higher up you go, the thinner the air becomes, and the more searing the heat. To the west, a crop of dangerous creatures known as lungblossoms claim the wooded thickets that offer reprieve from the intense and unrelenting rays of dream-sun. A confrontation with these living plants may expose you to hallucinogenic spores fit to fill your senses with horrific, nightmarish visions, so tread lightly...but not slowly.

At the mountain's very peak, an empty temple awaits those who can make it to the end of this terrible and impromptu gauntlet. It will provide shade and a space for the exhausted survivors to congregate. Tend to yourself and others, if you like- or head back out to locate those who haven't had such luck in reaching this haven.

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LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[jagarico]

I suppose I should be grateful but [He sighs. He isn't grateful at all. He looks over his shoulder at Akira and suddenly gasps.]

The flame of the torch dances magnificently against your glasses and highlights the skin...I've never known how beautiful a flame can be when surrounded by darkness...[Really not the time for this, Yusuke. You're kind of in danger?]

[phantomtrick]

I suppose it is kind of pretty, but never mind that. Yusuke we have to go right now!

[ Akira starts walking away expecting Yusuke to follow. ]

Save the talk for later. When we get out you can tell me how beautiful the lighting is.

[jagarico]

How could I possibly tell you how beautiful the lighting is if we are not in the dark anymore? [He sounds irritated as he goes following after Akira. He isn't actually irritated and anybody that knows Yusuke well enough knows not to take that tone too personally.

But Akira is right. They shouldn't be standing around.] I wonder what will be waiting for us...

[phantomtrick]

[ Yusuke is always a bit odd, but so is Akira and he pays no mind to it. He pulls back and stops walking when he hears indistinguishable noise in the back. ]

It's a lot closer than I thought. You might want to get that sword out.

[jagarico]

[At least he knows when to get serious and he does as Akira suggests, getting into position. He can already see the glowing eyes making it's way towards them.]

[phantomtrick]

[ A monster makes it way to them with murderous intent. ]

Take the initiative and strike before it gets us!! I'm counting on you.

[ It's all on Yusuke. ]

[jagarico]

You don't need to tell me twice. [He sounds confident as he stands in front of Akira and waiting for just a second before he charges forward, intent on slashing towards the monster's torso though it's huge and intimidating. But Yusuke has seen worse.

The monster uses its arm to guard itself and Yusuke's sword goes into its arm and with that, he pulls his sword out and then into its torso.]

[phantomtrick]

[ Well, that seems to work out. Akira's not able to do much so he clenches his fist in irritation. He hates standing by like this. At the very least, he can watch the area and check if there's anything else coming.

So far it's just that one monster. He nods , watching Yusuke cut the foe down. ]

Good work. We should be okay if we keep this up.

[jagarico]

[Yusuke rests his hand on his arm, frowning.]

You need a strong arm when your blade is so short. I can manage and won't let you down but this is really quite irritating.

[phantomtrick]

I'm feeling your irritation strongly right now. What I would give to just bash these things on the head with my own fist...

[But that's not going to work, he's going to let Yusuke jab at it with a sword some more. Akira just takes in a long suffering sigh.]

Think a good old kick will do any damage?

[jagarico]

It would be extremely ill-witted of you if you tried. I understand your frustration but you can depend on me for the time being.

[phantomtrick]

I'm so mad I can't take it, but you're right. It's stupid of me to rush in.

[He smiles and then scratches his side.]

You'll be able to fight again if needed.

[jagarico]

I'll make certain you remain unhurt. [Yusuke offers him a smile in return.] Shall we venture further?

[phantomtrick]

Okay, how about we turn left? We came from the right...

[No need to go back to the spot where they just went.]

I think it should be that way.

[jagarico]

How can you tell? It's so dark. [But he does trust Akira and Akira is their leader for a reason. His instincts are usually right.]

[phantomtrick]

I'm used to walking in the dark like this. It just takes a bit of practice.

[Because Mona put him through phantom thieves training and made him do a bunch of ridiculous things, like walk in the dark and through ventilator systems.]

If we keep going all the way we might end up in another hallway.

[jagarico]

Hmm, maybe I should attempt to make this part of my artistic training. I have heard that if you sacrifice one sense then your other senses strengthen. Could it be...?! This may be what I need?

[SEEMS LIKE A GREAT IDEA.]

[phantomtrick]

I don't think so. If you can't see then what's the point???

[IT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA.]

Can you draw without light, Yusuke?

[jagarico]

Of course I wouldn't attempt to draw in the darkness. That I am not capable of. But hmm...should I perhaps try to take away my ability to hear? Or smell...?

[Still a terrible idea.]