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cracktheearth2015-08-10 01:05 pm
raisednpcs) wrote in cracktheearth2015-08-10 01:05 pm
Entry tags:
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!
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!
Dinobot | Beast Wars
It's been some time now since prehistoric times had come back in a big way, and the dinosaurs are all safely contained. ... For the most part anyway. It's in the middle of the night when the alarm is sounded. The worst case scenario, the highest security holding cell has been breached: the raptor pen has been opened. But... oddly enough, all but one are still present. Locked inside.
Guards were dispatched immediately... and just as swiftly beaten by the freed "animal" with displays of strength and speed that far exceed what it should be capable of. Most alarming of all, however, was when a pair of taser barbs stuck into its side and pumped it full of enough volts that it should have been down for the count only to be summarily brushed off and the guard taken down.
Oddly though, every one of them has been left alive rather than brutally eviscerated. Something's going on but for now, there's a loose dinosaur looking for a way out and some backup would probably not go amiss.
[D - Sudden Storm]
It's raining in New L.A., large, heavy raindrops falling, wind gusting. The storm is growing worse and worse but it hardly seems of any concern to the towering figure lurking in the shadows, wrapped from head to toe in a concealing cloak as he watches the mammalian creatures mill about, seeking shelter from the harsh weather and darkness in their feeble homes.
It's strange. A place like this should represent a feast, even now that primal instinct calls for the spilling of blood and the tearing of flesh but... there's more now. He'd always been intelligent but now there's more than that. Understanding, knowledge and... something more. Something that had stayed his hand when he'd done battle with the humans who had sought to prevent his escape.
A quiet snarl escapes him and he lifts one hand and studies the alien limb. Too many claws, each one too long. Lightning flashes overhead and he raises his eyes to it as if the elements brought this new realization with them. More than instinct, more than intelligence... a... code. Yes. Honor, courage, glory... the code of a warrior. No longer a mere predator preying on the weak, but then... what should he do now?
Growling again, he lowers his hand and moves away from his hiding place, concealing himself again as he makes his way through the streets of this broken city. For now, it's a good place to hide....
no subject
She ended up tracking it by following the trail of beaten security and law enforcement officers. Eventually, it led her right to the beast.
"Hey there, clever girl," she said, landing down in front of it. "You ready for round two? I remember what your buddies did to my friend..."
no subject
... And then there was this one. Another come to stand in his way. As she spoke her words with met with understanding in those reptilian eyes. Those were... words. Yes, words. A moment passed, accompanied by a thoughtful snarl and a tilt of the head and then the creature... answered. In a grating, harsh voice.
"I have no quarrel with you, human, but you and your kind will hinder me no longer." He growled again and waved one short, clawed hand. "Now stand aside! Or be destroyed."
no subject
Jasmine's jaw fell open. "Okay what, seriously? You're a god damned talking dinosaur? That's what this has come to?!"
She sighed, but remained in her fighting stance. "Man, ten year old me would have thought this was so fucking cool..."
no subject
no subject
And with that, she extended her wing. Ring any bells, scaley?
no subject
"Hmm...." Focusing on her again, he grinned, showing rows of razor sharp, pointed teeth and ran his tongue across them with a chuckle. "And what if I am? Truthfully, you humans all taste alike."
no subject
She smirked. "You willing to try going one for three? I don't think you have it in you."
no subject
"So be it, but you may yet come to regret your arrogance." He raised himself up, standing as tall as he could as he recalled other words. Words that had come to him in memory during his confinement. The first, a name. "Dinobot...."
"... TERRRORIZE!"
At that spoken command, he let out a roar and his entire body shifted and changed with a mechanical whirr. Parts changing locations, repurposing themselves, restructuring until something very different than a dinosaur remained. Something that straightened up... and up...... and up, until it towered over her.
"Come." He goddamned robot said, beckoning her forward. "Let us settle this."
no subject
Because a dinosaur that appeared out of nowhere one day just transformed into a robot right before her eyes.
Ten year old Jasmine would be so mad at her for this.
"... I think," Jasmine began, resigning herself to battle as she drew her Dark Tact, "that this is definitely the strangest thing that has ever happened to me."
And she dashed forward, swinging the blade that formed from the end of her weapon.
no subject
"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.
no subject
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?!"
no subject
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.
no subject
"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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.