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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!
no subject
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!"
no subject
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.
no subject
"Rookie?! Look lady, whatever the hell you think you are, I ain't--"
He blinks, and looks down at the younger girl. "No, now's when you get your ass up off that ground and get the hell out of here! That thing could've smashed you flat, just what're you thinking--"
He's interrupted in his tirade by another shout. Something in his pants, well. Glows. And a light shoots out of his pocket, forming into a rather large, big-headed (and mouthed) yellow reptile looking... creature. It suddenly leaps up behind him, slamming a claw into the rising snake.
"Bro, watch your back!"
Mamoru just stares blankly, still down at the girl, a nervous twitch evident at his brow. "How many damned times do I have to tell you to stay in there..."
Obviously, he's not talking to Molly anymore.
no subject
"The police aren't gonna help and neither are you! Get outta here before--"
Wait, what the fuck? Did a goddamned miniature dinosaur just jump out of that guy's pants?! The sudden appearance is so attention-grabbing for a moment that she doesn't quite clue in to the snake lunging her way until it's already on her.
"Shit-!" Scowling she pulls her hand back and punches forward, straight into the snake's mouth all the way up to the shoulder. Vicious jaws clamp down on her, pulling a pained grimace from her features and a spurt of blood from her arm. That's not important though, she'll heal.
The snake though...? Well, after she goes ahead and triggers the twin Scissor Blades currently in the hand down its throat to expand to their full size....
Maybe not so much.
no subject
But then... then that dinosaur appeared out of nowhere, which caused the relatively sheltered girl to scream in surprise. That wasn't the end of it, either... it talked, too. This was... this was absolutely unreal...
And yet, Molly couldn't help but wonder if the girl whose memories were in her head would take this more in stride.
But that was the least of the issues plaguing Molly as she suddenly heard a crunch. She turned towards Raye, and shrieked again, this time in abject fright at the sight of the girl being wounded. This time, she ended up dropping her groceries, eggs and various kinds of produce spilling out onto the concrete.
Raye's snake didn't fare very well, however, as twin blades suddenly erupted from its throat. The other one, however, was knocked back by the dinosaur's "claws", hissing in anger at the three claw marks etched across its snout.
no subject
Well, then he happens to look up as Raye's hand goes right into the other snake's mouth. The blood doesn't really bother him, but it's still pretty gruesome - until she extends the blades out its damned throat. As Molly shrieks again, he sighs - and reaches down to nab her by the arm, trying to haul her to her feet.
"Would you quit screwing around?!" he snaps, finally. "You're going to get yourself freaking killed!"
no subject
The little dinosaur will have to deal with the other one for the time being, for now she's gotta deal with this shit over here. That extra scared shriek makes her scowl deepen even further.
"Get her outta here already!" She shouts, balls up her free fist and smashes it into the weakened stone around where the Scissor Blades are emerged from, aiming to smash it to bits.
no subject
Her aunt would be even more angry if something happened to her. In fact, she probably wasn't going to take this very well to begin with. "No! No! You're right...!" she says, trying to grab what's still in the bags and get out of there.
The second snake, meanwhile, is fed up with being pummeled like that, and whips its tail at Agumon. The snake holding Raye, meanwhile... its upper body has been punctured, and splits and crumples, leaving a headless lower half writhing violently on the ground.
no subject
Such as the girl scrambling for this damned food. "Dammit, you can get more!" he snaps, and then... well. As it turns out, Molly quickly discovers that Mamoru is a lot stronger than he may even look, as if punching that snake and not being injured from it wasn't enough of an indication.
He grabs her, and tosses the girl over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "I'm moving! Agumon, hold--"
He turns around, just as the reptile takes the snake's tail to his face. Agumon hits the ground hard, tumbling end over end, and Mamoru tenses.
He is not someone who likes to run.
But that might not be the worst idea right now.
no subject
She turns, fully expecting to see those two civilians making a run for it. Just in time to see the dinosaur take a tail whip to the face and be knocked for a loop by it. She winces a little and then curses.
"Goddamned kids...." But she doesn't have time for complaining. With the tiny reptile down, the snake would be headed after the two of them next.
She's got the move fast, and with her arm no longer weighed down by a snake and both Scissors in hand, that's exactly what she does. Sprinting forward with enhanced speed and turning as her dash brings her up next to the snake. A flick of her wrist and the Blade snaps out, unfolding into Decapitation Mode.
Then, with an almost casual turns, swings at the snake. A wave of pure force spreading out from the weapon's point, scattering rocks and kicking up a burst of wind.
This snake might end up in even more pieces.
no subject
Then she sees Agumon go down, and... she lets out a squeak. No, this guy definitely had the right idea. She feels a pang of guilt and insecurity... surely the girl in her memories would do a better job of helping here...
The snake, meanwhile, is no match for Raye's speed. Distracted by its taking down of the reptile, it isn't able to react in time as the force of Raye's attack hits it. The snake lets out a violent hiss as parts of its body shatters into multiple pieces, leaving it half formed and with huge chunks of it taken out.
no subject
Of course, that's when Raye lunges and strikes again. The blade snaps out, forming an even bigger blade and... there's smashing and he has to brace himself to not be blown back by the resulting force of impact. As it dies down, he finds he's slipped back a couple inches and lets out a breath.
"Holy shit."
"Ugh..." comes a groan from afar, as Agumon tries to flip himself back over from having wound up on his head somehow. "I've got 'em, Bro! I'll finish it..."
The reptile blinks, craning his head to one side. The snake is left crumbling, and Agumon looks very confused for several moments. He gives Mamoru a disappointed gaze, scratching his nose with one claw.
"Well, uh. Guess we got 'em! Yay!"
...Mamoru sighs, looks from one wrecked snake to another... and there's still a flailing girl on his shoulder. Whom he promptly sets back down on her feet.
"Sorry 'bout that."
no subject
She gives an unhappy glance toward the orange dinosaur, definitely the sign of another Numbered, before throwing a harsh glower at the two human bystanders. Yeah. Two bystanders.
"Okay, so what the fuck part of 'get outta here' went over your heads, huh?" She stops in place, and spins to face the two of them. Her hands in her pockets but her shoulders squared up with an unmistakable air of confrontation. "You just came this close to gettin' smashed into fuckin' paste."
no subject
"I'm sorry...!" she exclaimed. "I... I've never done this before! It's really overwhelming, and I didn't want to... I didn't know what to do!"
She looked at the pile of now ruined groceries. "I... I need to go. I need to fix this. My aunt will be worried about me...!"