raisednpcs: (Default)
raisednpcs ([personal profile] raisednpcs) wrote in [community profile] cracktheearth2015-08-10 01:05 pm
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Fall 2015 Test Drive

Hello, and welcome to the test drive for August, 2015! We're doing things a little bit differently this time, as three of our test drive prompts are the same as events presently going on in the game! And that's not all; both players in the game and out of it can treat everything that happens with these prompts as canon to the game, and that they happened concurrently with what's going on on the main community. So, if you're looking to apply to Raise the Earth, here's a chance to get in on the ground floor of what's happening in-game!

In addition to these, we've got a few sample prompts for you to choose from; don’t worry about actually sticking to these, though! Go wild and enjoy what you’re doing with test drives. We should note, though, that you can’t use test drive threads toward AC. One note: characters can get Echoes from test drive threads that will be game canon! They count toward the starting allotment for their application, so don’t go too crazy there. You don’t need to request these, so long as they’re in keeping with the general Echo rules - just put them on your application. If you’re at all unsure, ask us and we’ll be happy to give you advice there.

Since nobody’s going to know who your reincarnation is yet, comment to this post with your character’s preincarnation and canon in the comment title! You might also talk just a bit about personality, appearance, and/or reputation for your character’s reincarnation, so we know what we’re in for.




Event Prompts

[A - Echo Incursion, Gateway City]

It's a particularly hot day in the Gateway City zoo. What else could you expect? It's not like it's not to be expected, it is the middle of August, after all. But there's plenty of things to see here at the zoo, and the visitors' center is air conditioned well enough.

Just a normal summer day in a typical summer vacation spot. Right?

Well, that's when things change. Those in the visitor's center would find the building changing around them. There's suddenly a dinosaur skeleton in the middle of the place, with the banner "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" hanging from the ceiling.

That's not all. The animal enclosures are now different. What used to be a pen for the african elephants now has very large, very long necked reptiles in it. A gigantic, meat-eating dinosaur just tromped its way out of the lion habitat it's too much too large for, and unfortunately for the people around it, its vision is based on movement. The monkey house? Well, those are velociraptors breaking out of it. The aviary? Now filled with particular aggressive flying pterosaurs.

These are just some of the creatures making their sudden emergence, and it's not long until they spill out of the zoo and into the city proper. Dinosaurs are now walking the streets of Gateway City.

Yes, indeed. Just a normal summer day.

[OOC: For a guide on what to expect for this prompt, see here.]

[B - Shepherd's Haven]

Shepherd's Haven is one of the safest places for Numbered, but at night, after the sun has set, it seems that things are very different. People are appearing in the streets of the small community, as well as Christchurch and Woodend. People who are clearly "not all there", in that they are transparent and thoroughly nonsolid. Their behavior is strange, in that they either ignore people entirely, or start following them wherever they go.

This is oddly similar to an event that occurred in Locke many many months ago, but why is it happening here, halfway across the world? The ghosts seem that they can literally be anyone, possessing a diverse number of traits and qualities, not specific to this part of the world. Some of them might even look like people your past life used to know...

What are they doing here? Where did they come from? And how will you react to them?

[C - Locke City]

Everyone remembers the monstrous serpent that ravaged Locke City. That fateful day is somewhat foreshadowed by the horrors of the invasion, but it's not as if you can forget the fact that a giant serpent appeared and wreaked destruction across the entire city. But it was destroyed, and now, a new creature lays beneath the city, waiting to protect it should the need arise. Wise Snake is just a memory now.

Or... is it?

Snakes are appearing all over the city. Normal-sized ones. Why is this newsworthy? Because the little snakes appearing all over Locke are made of stone. They behave otherwise normally at first, and are nothing but a disturbing reminder of an event that changed Locke City forever.

But time goes on, and the snakes suddenly aren't so little anymore. They get as large as dogs, and turn aggressive. Attacking people, much like their larger progeny did. Thunder Corp is on the scene, rounding up as many of these snakes as possible, but they can't get all of them. And any Numbered they see? Well, they're gonna be pulled along for questioning.

It appears Wise Snake isn't ready to be forgotten or replaced.

Normal Prompts

[D - Sudden Storm]

Rain wasn’t planned today. The forecast had called for sun and minimal clouds, and a warm breeze. Instead, the falling drops seem to sparkle in the sunlight peeking through the clouds. Out a window, strolling down the street, sitting at a bus stop, it’s hard not to feel the drops coming down. And should you stop to stare at the rain for a bit, something seems to shift. A hollow feeling, a certain vertigo, that passes in a moment. As it clears, something changes. A new memory, from a life that isn’t familiar and doesn’t make a whole lot of sense; a tingling at your fingertips of some new energy; a certain knowledge of the world that shocks you with the new information it provides; something in your hands you weren’t holding before. Maybe you’ve already had an Echo somehow, and you recognize the feeling; maybe you haven’t, and it brings back memories of the people talking about “pulses” on TV, what seems like forever ago. If the latter’s true, the fading sense leaves behind a number, that seems to worm its way into your mind and not leave. Does this mean… you’re Numbered, now?

[E - The Network]

The number stuck in your head refuses to go away, so to work it out of your system, you decide writing it down on something is a good idea. Maybe you punched it into your phone; perhaps it’s on a piece of paper, or a mirror, or almost anything else.

The thing it’s on comes alive, filling with text and images. None of it was there before, and you can interact with it. Hundreds, maybe thousands of posts, all tagged with a number that looks similar to your own. Tales of fighting, of betrayal, of loss and sacrifice; stories of heroism, of gain, of victory and the elation attached. Questions about life, about the network, about the future of the Numbered. Idle conversation, videos of stupid things. Three years of history, from the beginning to the original incident on April 1, 2013, through to today.

You could add something. Clearly, it need not be profound, and if you don’t put a name, a face, or a voice to your number, nobody would ever know it’s you. It’s there, at your fingertips. What would you say…?

[F - New Los Angeles]

Far away from the gleaming jewel of Gateway City, in New Los Angeles, there are far less things to celebrate. The city is one of the last few bastions of civilization left in the western half of the United States - now called the “western territories” after the collapse of most state governments - and its here that a great many people have fled. Though the city is in the process of being rebuilt, the majority of it lies in ruins after the aliens’ attack, and most of the people have to live in camps. The luckier ones have spaces in shelters, but that just guarantees a roof over your head instead of a tent.

People have formed communities here, however. Some come together to share what they have, while others consolidate power and lord it over the other refugees. Most of the time, the governor and General Miller allow them to function independently, save for when a new city ordinance is in effect. And just your luck, one of those just happens to BE in effect today.

See, a shipment of relief supplies was discovered savaged and destroyed; what wasn’t ruined was taken, and the damage to the facilities led Miller to decide that Numbered could have been the only ones responsible. So, a curfew is in effect, and anyone suspected of being a Numbered is being brought in for questioning. You’re out past curfew? Well, now you’re suspected of being a Numbered. Little does Miller know that the real beings responsible are pack of Vermedi roaming the city. And while this is going on, groups of thieves are prowling the city waiting to take advantage of anyone stupid enough to be out and about after dark.

Are you one of the refugees living in New Los Angeles, or did you come to help with the relief effort? Either way, tensions are high, and the nights are dangerous, and monsters both human and inhuman are lurking the streets at night.

[G - Wild Card]

Don’t feel pressured to stick to our prompts - you’re welcome to do whatever strikes you. Lighthearted, serious, dangerous, mundane, spectacular… Raise the Earth is a game designed around everyday life getting a lot more interesting in a hurry. Play around with things!
switch_over: (69)

E

[personal profile] switch_over 2015-09-23 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Welcome to being a numbered, where it's one stupid surprise after another.

What kind of places?
chopper_face: (pic#8928722)

[personal profile] chopper_face 2015-09-24 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
Despite his current, robotic form, the reptile now known as Dinobot gave a very raptor-like roar as he charged forward to meet Jasmine head on. From out of nowhere, he produced his own weapon, a "sword" made up of multiple whirring segments. The two blades clashed, sending sparks into the air as he pushed back against her.

"And it may yet be the last." He growled, setting his feet and bringing his considerable mass to bear.

It was about at that time that a few more of those Factor guards came running out of the building, only to stop at the spectacle before them and exchange a worried glance before quietly backing away.
melodrama_man: (Heh snake oil)

[personal profile] melodrama_man 2015-09-24 06:36 am (UTC)(link)
__|___|__
__|_0_|__
__|___|__

i aCCept. :) Round 2/3 go!
jasminebloominginshadow: (angry)

[personal profile] jasminebloominginshadow 2015-09-24 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"It doesn't have to be a case of life or death!" Jasmine growled as she pushed back against he blade. "You can just STOP! Choose not to be our enemy...!"

She saw the guards come out, and frowned. "At the very least, let's go somewhere where we can leave THEM out of it...! Or are you really just a beast that attacks everything in front of you?!"
switch_over: (96)

[personal profile] switch_over 2015-09-25 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
_X_|___|___
___|_0_|___
___|___|___

So are you like five or something? Because your handwriting is terrible.
chopper_face: (pic#8928720)

[personal profile] chopper_face 2015-09-25 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
This one is different! Far more powerful than the others of her kind that he's encountered. Crossing blades with her is a thrill greater than even the hunts he recalled. The thrill not of chasing down and slaughtering prey, but of meeting a worthy opponent in battle!

Her words seemed to pierce past some of that though. Glowing red optics shift toward the guards, and he let out a low, thoughtful growl. Once, those humans would have made perfect sport but now... now he has no interest in them at all. After a moment, he focused back on Jasmine.

"Perhaps I could, and perhaps you should not have drawn your weapon if you lacked the stomach to use it!" Servos whirred in his arms and legs as he suddenly gave a heave with his strength, trying to win this little standoff by pushing Jasmine back.
jasminebloominginshadow: (eyes wide dangerous)

[personal profile] jasminebloominginshadow 2015-09-25 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
Jasmine snarled as he pushed against her. Her heels dug into the concrete pavement as she held her ground, but nevertheless, it took a great deal of effort as she pushed back against the blade.

"Funny thing about drawing a weapon... sometimes those weapons are a part of you!"

As they struggled, Jasmine's eyes glowed with a powerful golden aura, creating a crushing wave of force around them that pushed back against her opponent.
chopper_face: (pic#8928724)

[personal profile] chopper_face 2015-09-25 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
The powerful wave of force managed to catch him off guard, breaking the stalemate in their strength and shoving him backwards. Metal feet ground along the pavement as he skidded back a few feet before recovering himself.

Another low growl escaped him as he struggled against the wave of power but after that initial rush, he held his ground. Slowly, his eyes began to shift color. Going from that red to a blank, pure white.

"... Sometimes." And then he raised his head and fired a pair of bright green eye lasers at his opponent.
jasminebloominginshadow: (I cry havoc)

[personal profile] jasminebloominginshadow 2015-09-25 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
"... OH COME ON!"

Jasmine snarled as she ducked out of the way of the lasers, only narrowly avoiding it. Okay, fine, if he was going to pull out ranged attacks, so would she.

"Dark Forte Wave!" she cried... as she was casting it. She had a feeling that this guy was enough smart enough to see calling her attacks as a warning. In any case, a blast shaped like a red and black flower bud shot at him.
officiallymortified: (what did you just say about me)

[personal profile] officiallymortified 2015-09-27 07:06 am (UTC)(link)
Places in America. In Colorado, some place called 'The Rockies.' There is a house in a forest that I know about. I've been to America, but never there. I've never even been anywhere near there.

Why do you call them 'stupid'?
officiallymortified: (ugh BUSINESS CLASS? you sicken me.)

[personal profile] officiallymortified 2015-09-27 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
If you're trying to convince me of joining your network or whatever it is you really want, you're not doing a very good job of it.

It sounds like you want me to join just so you can keep tabs on me along with everyone else.
abundantlove: (gasp!)

Molly Anderson/Mana Aida | Dokidoki! Precure | OTA

[personal profile] abundantlove 2015-09-27 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[C]

It's a normal day in Locke, and a normal girl is walking down the street, carrying several grocery bags. It's the weekend, so that means her aunt sent her to collect food for the week in her place. However, even as she does her best to pay attention to everything ahead of her, her thoughts are a million miles away.

Molly Anderson is thinking about the events going on in her city, of the mysterious snakes that appeared out of nowhere. She's thinking of the statement Thunder Corp made, blaming the Numbered for not coming to the city's aid. She thinks about the Numbered themselves, and how, a year ago, they'd saved her and everyone else in Locke from the aliens.

Yes, there's a lot on Molly's mind, and she's not paying attention to everything going on around her. So much, that she only realizes people are screaming far too late. Once she does realize, she looks up with a start, to see a large, pink, stone reptile slithering through the street, sending people running. And now... it's coming right at her.

Molly's eyes widen, and she lets out a shrill, terrified scream.

[E - Text]

Hello! My name is Molly! I'm a new Numbered, and I'm sorry, but, I'm a little bit nervous about introducing myself. I just want to take everything slow... this is all a little bit scary, you know?

[Behind the computer, Molly is second guessing everything she's writing. She's extremely nervous, in a way she's trying to keep out of the text.]

I suppose I can tell you a little bit about myself, though! I'm a student, I live in New Jersey, and I'm a big fan of everyone! Well, I don't know you personally, but you saved everyone right? I don't believe what they say about you all being the reason for everything that happened...

["Keep it together, Molly. Don't seem desperate," she tells herself.]

Anyway, like I said, I just wanted to say hello! I don't have much time to use the computer, but I'll be around for an hour or two.
switch_over: (92)

[personal profile] switch_over 2015-09-28 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. That sounds pretty average for an echo. It's some place the other "you" must have known about.

And I called them stupid because more often than not they are inconvenient and troublesome.
guitar_case_vagabond: (You've Got A Fight Now!)

[personal profile] guitar_case_vagabond 2015-09-28 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
These fucking snake things again. As if dealing with this stupid bullshit once in a lifetime wasn't bad enough, the motherfuckers are back for more!

It's a dire situation for poor Molly but it's clear she's not alone on the streets today! The roar of a motorcycle's engine cuts through the air above her screams as it comes careening around a corner and straight for her at top speed. The rider frowns behind her helmet and hits a parked car, using it as a ramp to lift into the air.

The back wheel slams into the snake's head, cutting off its charge and knocking it flat. The tire squeals across its rocky, scaly hide before driving off of it and coming to a stop a short distance away. Leaving one slightly stunned snake with a nice tread mark across its skull.

"Hey!" She calls, pulling her helmet off and tossing it aside. "You wanna eat somebody, try coming over here!"
abundantlove: (we can't give up now!)

[personal profile] abundantlove 2015-09-28 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Molly stops screaming at the sound of the engine, and her head snaps in the direction of the noise. She gasps at the sight of Raye uses the car to jump, and then follows her as she slams it into the snake. As the beast goes down, stunned, she ends up gaping as the girl manages to land her vehicle without wiping out.

"That... that was amazing!" Molly exclaims, standing up. "You're so amazing! You're just like the people who saved us from the aliens!"

Of course, as Molly said that... she didn't see or hear the second snake slithering out of the darkness behind her. A legitimate hero was right in front of her... she couldn't help but be distracted.
poweriscombined: (Masaru - 049)

[personal profile] poweriscombined 2015-09-28 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
Shit, shit, shit. Mamoru knew he shouldn't have come to this stupid-assed city. Probably shouldn't even be in the country, but getting elsewhere was kind of expensive. There was opportunity here! Not all of it... strictly on the up and up, given the "genuine heroes" weren't that entrenched here anymore, but. Hey. A guy's gotta eat, right?

Of course, that seems like it's starting to change again, and on top of that, fucking snakes. He thought this place was supposed to be over that stuff! This isn't his business, he just needs to find a way to slip away and--

Then he hears the scream.

Dammit.

Cursing himself, he rushes to the scene of it just in time to see someone on a motorcycle and-- oh, hell no. He knows he's seen that crazy chick on the news before, and there's no way...

...he doesn't really have time to think. He spots the other one slipping up on the girl, and his feet move again. He launches himself into the air, orange light suddenly erupting around his fist before it slams with enough strength its impact echoes in the air.

He grits his teeth.

This is not the day he wanted.
numberedshepherd: "The Future" (I was the little Jew who wrote the Bible)

[personal profile] numberedshepherd 2015-09-28 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
[He cants his head to the side, looking slightly saddened. But it becomes quickly apparent that it's for Dima and not because he's taken what's been said about his effectiveness terribly personally.]

I understand your reaction, but you're already a part of this. There's no "join" about it. I just want to help you integrate a little better than you currently are.
guitar_case_vagabond: (Don't Gimme That!)

[personal profile] guitar_case_vagabond 2015-09-28 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
Focused as she was on the creature right in front of her, she barely noticed the other one creeping up until it was nearly right on top of the girl. Eyes widening, she curses and opens her mouth to shout a warning... when it looked like backup had already arrived.

The crushing force and sound of the impact makes her blink. Damn, the new guy had some muscle, but he was still the new guy. She doesn't have time for babysitting.

"Hey! Don't just stand there gawking, get the hell outta here!" She calls across the street, revving the engine of her bike as the first snake begins to stir. "You too, rookie! Leave this shit to the pros!"
abundantlove: (buh?)

[personal profile] abundantlove 2015-09-28 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
Molly's gasps as she sees another figure fly out of nowhere... and... oh dear lord! There's another snake! Molly does her best to scramble out of the way, and give them room, while holding onto her bags.

And now the first one is shouting at her.

"Uhm! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! What if I called the police?! You guys can't fight these things alone, right? I want to help..."

Meanwhile, the first snake let out a hiss as it began to rise back up. It leveled its gaze at Raye, the one that had hurt it, and lunged at her, snapping its jaws. The second one, however, was slithering back up right, so it could attempt to counterattack.
Edited 2015-09-29 02:48 (UTC)
princesscut: (Idiot. Listen close.)

E

[personal profile] princesscut 2015-09-28 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't believe everything you see on the news. Things get... messy around here, sometimes. But we're the good guys. No matter what the propaganda machine wants you to believe, most of us want to save people.

Only an hour, though? What, mommy say the Internet will rot your brain?
abundantlove: (uncertain laughter)

E

[personal profile] abundantlove 2015-09-28 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
That's what I've always thought! Ever since they saved everyone during the invasion. The book I read by that one Numbered lady also made it pretty clear to me.

Oh... well, I have school tomorrow, and I need to be awake.


[She's not going to correct her about the mother thing at this point... because, well, that's private.]
princesscut: (Is that supposed to be a threat?)

[personal profile] princesscut 2015-09-28 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[That one Numbered lady...? Wait, does she mean Lily? There are only two options, and one's not recent. It also doesn't count, being a novelization of a pulse.]

You mean Lily Tsukuyomi's book. It's a good source of information, yeah. A little too dramatic for my tastes, but I suppose that's how things were. There are... a lot of heroes here. Of all shapes and sizes. [It's a grudging admission, but it's true. As much as she complains, there are some people here that have earned her respect.]

Ha! Responsible. Sounds like you'll fit right in.
abundantlove: (neutral mana is neutral)

[personal profile] abundantlove 2015-09-29 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
You thought it was too dramatic? That was my favorite part! It really mad everything feel like it was coming to life for me! It was like I was actually here.

Ha... you say that, but even if I'm a Numbered, I'm... still just a normal girl.
Edited 2015-09-29 00:02 (UTC)
princesscut: (Let me make this clear.)

[personal profile] princesscut 2015-09-29 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
If you say so. I suppose, objectively, she felt like it was the most dramatic time of her life. So I can't really blame her for it. But be warned. As much as you think that "prepared" you for Numbered life, you're not ready. You're NEVER ready.

Some of us were normal, once. Winter and Lily were normal, three years ago. I've never been normal, so I don't know what that feels like. Hold on to that... or don't. I know certain girls that would be just as happy they way they are now.
Edited (words) 2015-09-29 00:27 (UTC)
abundantlove: (doesn't understand)

[personal profile] abundantlove 2015-09-29 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I suppose it's not the same as really being there.

But. Um. You seem to know those two really well. Are you good friends with them?


["Happy the way you are now." Molly reflects on that a bit, sighing.]

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