Let's do the Test Drive Again

[wolof]

I. BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)

It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.

And then, it goes wrong.

The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.

So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—

You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.

I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.

You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.

The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.

From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.

And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.

II. BOUGH-BREAKER, ROOT-QUAKER

There are new Shard-Bearers at the Tree of Life, and Yima has asked that their elders return to the Tree to greet them, to bring them forth and answer their questions. She warns that it will be unlike the last time, for the Dryad's presence has gone -- the root-caverns of the Tree are damaged, the previous actions of some of the Shard-Bearers have left it injured, blackened by ill intent. Be careful, Commune where you must, but be aware that the Tree has reacted to its injury and will seek out the space within your Communions to make its agonies known.

All will experience the consequences to the actions of the few.

Whether awakening within or descending once more into the cavernous, root layer of the Tree of life is precarious; passages are maze-like, with claustrophobic squeezes and sudden chasms. Worse yet, is the miasma that hovers in the atmosphere. It leaches into your eyes, your skin, the space below your fingernails and drags through your lungs with every inhalation. Images of explosions, of fire and the sensation of shrapnel tearing through you begin to spark like fireworks within your mind. The pain builds, souring as it does.

The ambiance here is revolting. Great chasms have opened in the environment, threatening to pour inattentive Shard-Bearers into the Tree's deeper underbelly. The cloying, dark vapors around everyone dull the senses, until those you may have entered with are gone, or perhaps new bodies have joined you in the rancid space. The miasma urges you towards your baser desires, your desperate violence, and even as the Tree's pain evokes a sense of desperate self-defense, your Shard warms upon your body.

Somehow, the Tree still seeks to Commune with all -- pressing its need upon you: a single flame. A roaring pyre. A chilled ember.

THE GAME IS AFOOT

The Tree of Life cannot communicate but in abstract images and sounds, but the general gist of its need is eventually grasped by all Shard-Bearers: the miasma present is the result of an attack upon the Dryad that once lived among the roots of the Tree. Actions taken by other Shard-Bearers have left the Tree in dire straits, deeply wounded and unable to prevent itself from naturally lashing out in its own defense as it dies. It cannot let go of those it has imprisoned, until they have revealed their nature to it - until it knows it can finally, finally let go.

Characters can decide amongst themselves how to deal with the threat of miasma. It's easy to figure out, as your shards will naturally want to absorb what's similar to discord within your shards, but just like with discord, holding hands, or joining together in some way will allow the pain to be shared amongst everyone in the group. There's no such thing as failure, but if a character decides for the group, there may be the opportunity for intervention…

• Characters may choose to take on the role of a martyr, accepting the Tree's miasma ( its pain ) upon themselves as the sole sufferant. They will experience excruciating pain and lasting effects, but will spare others from this trauma.
• Characters may also choose to share the pain among themselves, though doing so will require Communion to be shared between all parties -- this will result in the temporary collapse of boundaries and barricades, and emotions and memories may flow against their will into others.
• Characters may also decide to do nothing at all, whereupon their decision to take no action will result in the miasma growing stronger, denser and more cloying until they are rendered unconscious and ejected from the roots of the tree.
• Have you a choice unique to your character that wasn't mentioned? Might you try to heal the tree's pain, or perhaps harm it further? If you're making the attempt, make sure your group is aware and submit your record of action to the link included below!

This can be done in groups of 2 to 4 players, and three is a recommendation - if you can swing it! It’s more fun when you get into philosophical debates, right? Regardless, when your group comes to a decision, please record it here. These don’t have to be fully threaded out to be recorded, so the conclusion can be discussed OOC if you prefer. Actions can be submitted until JANUARY 9TH, after which a tally will be taken of decision and filed away for later, devious uses.

III. TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY BUT WE ALL KNOW YIMOMMY'S WHERE IT'S AT

Having just celebrated the dual-natured festivities known as the Year's End Festival and Qiasu, Springstar and Highstorm ( respectively ) are wrapping up the period of time where Kenos a celebrates unity and togetherness, coming together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time. While the core festivities are over, many of the residents of Kenos are still caught up in the celebratory mood; those who are not, have begun to fret and whisper about a rumor that has spread throughout both cities.

( Many more residents are attempting to get rid of their excess stock, and may attempt to pawn off kitschy goods and, strangely, unclaimed gifts for people they claim they have no memory of, or simply do not exist. )

With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.

Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well. After all, the year's end is still lingering in the air, and cooperation is the current name of the game.

SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

In Springstar, the seat of the Tribune becomes available for such a forum. While a section of the building itself has been reserved for the meeting between fresh faces and experienced Shard-Bearers alike, the hustle and bustle of Heliopolis continues around them -- acolytes still gather their robes and tomes, hurrying from their quarters to lessons. A score of young militants march in step across the yard to the training grounds.

Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare common to Springstar's warmer climate -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, a series of meze platters and souvlaki skewers have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is light, ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings.

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Here, formality is of utmost importance, with attending Zenith loyalists and residents dressed in beautiful, albeit austere attire -- they are, after all, standing before Lady Yima's home. A buffet-style luncheon is spread alongside one of the largest reflecting pools, wherein you may gaze and find your memories revealed in retrospect upon the water's surface.

There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands.

RUMOR MILL

In both locations information passes between all in a forum, spread and disseminated among the masses - it's a good opportunity for city residents, faction loyalists and interested new parties to share and share alike. Once the meet-and-greet has concluded, twin missives from both of the faction leads are read out -- invitations for all present to explore the cities to their heart's content, and warnings about stumbling ill-prepared ( or at all ) into the Below, or worse yet, the Beyond.

No matter how conversations between player characters go, everyone will walk away with the following knowledge to ensure new players do not feel "behind" in terms of what has previously happened on Kenos TV.

• Cyrus, the head of the Meridian faction is a native aristocrat of Springstar, who provides characters with an iliachtida, or sunbeam. This item tethers a character to their world, ensuring it does not fully disappear. His stance involves the idea that, using Meridian's light, worlds can be restored and you may return home.
• In contrast, the head of the Zenith faction is Yima, who has been the head of Highstorm since - arguably - its inception. She provides characters with a Shard of that they love most, to protect and hold. Yima believes former worlds to be lost, and looks to the future instead.
• While Harmonization occurs as the characters' Shard ( literally the manifestation of a character's soul! ) accrues the natural energies generated by Meridian or Zenith, Discord is also as natural an occurrence -- a symptom, in fact, of that process. Discord is best reduced by someone from the opposite faction, and is also influenced by the Aspect of one's character.
• Cyrus likes enchiladas.
• Many individuals recommend the following locations to new arrivals, as a means of enjoyment, involvement or further information-seeking: Highstorm's Court at Yima's Manor remains a great area for reflection and self-discovery, while the Tomes - a series of libraries - possess a magnitude of amassed knowledge, both foreign and relative to yourself. Heliopolis, the capital of Springstar, is the core of government and administration, and houses many avenues towards involvement in the goings-on of the city. Likewise, the Psychagogía District is the beating heart of entertainment within an island known for its passions.
• Rumors of past exploits linger on the lips of many. Did you know that one of Meridian's Harmonized slew one of Zenith's before the eyes of countless bystanders? That there was an expedition of Meri and Zenite Shard-Bearers dispatched to Alenroux, and some came back brutalized! Did you hear that the Shard of a Zenite is being held hostage by the Meridians?
• The new marking that has appeared upon your character's body is known as their sign of Aspect, and supposedly correlates to the fundamental truths of their soul. A Shard also exists, and is known as the characters' soul itself.

NOTES

Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all new players need an invite to play in the game, which are now open.

This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this happens sometimes, since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They’re fine and may even return to Kenos one day, but for now weren’t able to make the full journey.

As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!

For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are saved from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Navigation page and check out the locations!

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

When characters emerge from their cocoon/the ground, characters may be wearing their normal clothes, or they might be nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post, since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision in which Faction they'd be drawn to.

New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM.

Your character will be offered temporary housing either at the Heliopolis district or Yima's manor for the first few weeks after their arrival. They will also be given a stipend for basic supplies like clothing and personal effects, and food is served in the cantina (Heliopolis) and at regular meal times in the Dining Room (Yima's manor). Once they Harmonize, they will get personal permanent chambers and a fancy retainer in their Faction's city. Wow! 🌈

CODING

Comments

[liuli]

[ yeah, this is the full circus, here. he just shakes his head again when anders first addresses him, as if he can't believe it... woe is this poor man... truly, he must be suffering...

and at that, he turns his head and looks absolutely pitch perfectly startled, whipping his head and everything. ] Good sir, no, you couldn't suggest -- !!

[ the man with the book asks - what, what? gu yun clearly has a penchant for drama, as he gives it a moment or two, rubbing his hand against his chin like he's anxious and nervous for this poor sap. he squints into the distance like he's recalling, before he continues...]

... There is an old wives tale, that perhaps you could ward off demonic entities by making yourself simply so undesirable that they might fade from your consciousness. I've heard rumors of those who lay in the stalls with donkeys, then arise braying and moving on all fours, as if they have become one with the beasts. Supposedly, if you act as such even among friends and family for the demons to see, long enough for them to be disinterested... two days and two nights, perhaps three...

[ do not force this poor sap to do pet play

he looks up at anders, clearly Beseechingly Worried. look at this big old sparkly eyes. ] ...but, ah, I don't know. If it's not convincing enough, then you'll be dead. It would have to be pulled off by an expert, or else - how long do you think he has to live, my friend?

[glowup]

[Honestly, thank the Maker someone around here has a sense of humor. Anders nods solemnly first, why yes he could indeed suggest--!!

And that is goofier than anything he could have come up with, which is spectacular. He bows his head over the cursed tome and shakes it slightly, as if overcome with sadness and grief for this poor man and his only chance for survival-- and not, as is actually the case, trying not to burst out laughing and ruin the whole bit. His shoulders shake in silent sympathy, dear man, and definitely not mirth.

Whew! Okay! He looks up - at the sky, all the way up, collecting himself before he must deliver the awful news:]

Weeks, if he's lucky. I've seen a man turned completely inside out in a matter of hours after encountering these pages. Hours!

[But, wait, you two-- the poor guy begins, and Anders holds up a hand.]

Hours, ser. I don't know which I fear more, the demons or waiting for them.

[liuli]

[ to his credit, gu yun does not flinch or snicker or break character at all, as he deeply appreciates anders going along with this so perfectly. he nods, solemnly at the suggestion of hours, making a terribly sad noise. rip... this poor man....

gu yun's expression goes very, very grim as he reaches out to clap this poor bastard on the shoulder and squeeze. ]

Quickly, now! Your fate can still be reversed - save yourself, while you still can. Go to the stables - run!

[glowup]

[This poor idiot, teetering on the edge of sprinting to the stables and having the worst day of his life. Anders sighs deeply and gingerly opens the book again, turning the pages until he holds up the book with a strangled gasp!!

It's toddler scribblings, but there's a blob with four sticks coming out of it next to a big smear of red amidst the "runes," and this is now The Proof that demons are put off by weirdo donkey guys.

He doesn't even say anything before the guy turns and scurries away from them with a harrowed glance over his shoulder. Whether he winds up in the stables or goes to get trashed and complain about the crazy curse guys in the square is anyone's guess, but-]

Well! I'm going to consider that a win. [He looks at the book with a little hum.] I do have to wonder what this was for before someone's child had a field day all over it. Look, it's a real demon.

[The red smudge... Now that guy is gone and he can laugh freely, good gracious.]

[liuli]

[ help

gu yun watches the victim of this crime go running off, and holds it together, hands on his hips. when he leans over and spots the Real Demon in the Book, he looks back to the disappearing silhouette of the man and quips: ]

Nothing like watching a grown man make an ass of himself in the morning, is there?

[




and THEN starts snickering. ] Impeccably done, sir!

[glowup]

[The real demon strikes fear into the hearts of guys who should know better. Anders snorts at the pun, how mean-]

And for three more days.

[But he still allows himself, like, a couple seconds of preening, for how good they did at punking this guy.]

I'm friends with a writer. [prrrobably, still. maybe.] The art of sniffing out bullshit tall tales comes with perks. The stables, though— you're diabolical.

[liuli]

Thank you!

[ what a compliment!!! gu yun grins, deeply pleased. ] A mastery of the literary does require a sense of humor, doesn't it? Besides, I find that churchyards often remind me of donkeys. Monks and their ilk have a special sort of braying that it was on my mind.

[ that's terrible ] I'd thought having him run naked in the square would've been equally funny, so I had to up the ante a bit. Congratulations on your, ah, cursed book.

[glowup]

I might have picked hogs, myself.

[Just a little more filthy and brutish for the churchy ilk he's used to, but no need to get into all that right this second. Simply the casual sideways agreement that, yeah, churchyards are deeply unpleasant, aren't they!! He gets it.

Both options are terrible, as it should be.]

Thanks, though— maybe I'll add a few things to it and pass it along for the next person to thoroughly enjoy. Make a proper legend out of this garbage yet.

[A beat. He is still browsing the doodles, so maybe it really is cursed, but ah,] Have you ever actually made someone run naked in the square?

[liuli]

[ anders 🤝 gu yun
churches are bad

the hog remark gets him to snort, too, pleased as he folds his hands behind his back and looks at the doodle-filled book. what masterpieces. what ruin this artwork could cause. ]

I think that's a fine idea. Do you have any artistic talent? It might be better if you don't. [ these terrible doodles. as for the question...he tilts his head and offers anders a grin. ] And maybe once or twice.

[glowup]

["F the church" - two clowns on the street

Anders shrugs- no, he's got no particular artistic talent to speak of, he might even be worse than whoever's toddler ruined this book- so the plan to make it even worse is absolutely in action. Once the book's pages are entirely indecipherable, it will assume its true form...

a piece of shit book full of ink and crayon wax.

Anyway: a low whistle, because,] Twice? What did your nude sprinter do? Oh, unless it was some sort of brothel game, and you have to tell me if it was.

[liuli]

[ hehehehe. like this is the greatest gossip in the world, all conspiratorially, he raises an eyebrow. ]

Who said it was the same person? [ unbelievable. gu yun waves a hand, loftily. ] Sometimes, a lesson or a prank requires a creative punishment all the same. I like to match the punishment to the crime.

[ what does that even MEAN ]

[glowup]

[how many nude runners have there been, gu yun. how many.]

That sounds like a brothel game, and if it isn't, then you've taken the lead in the running for "strangest punishment." Previously held by an associate I once had who used to take his revenge through poetry readings. Dreadful ones.

[But what does it mean... truly mysterious.]

[liuli]

It sounds like your associate and I might get along.

[ he laughs at the idea - as someone who very much enjoys poetry, bad poetry can be in fact, objectively terrible. with that, though, he does give a little bow of his head in thanks, maybe remembering his manners or maybe just finished with his terrible prank victory lap. ]

Thank you for being my associate in this little situation, by the by. Or, really, allowing me to assist.

[glowup]

Given what we told that man, I think the word is "accomplice."

[Haha... sorry to that man... but not really, because it was funny, and he should have thought before grifting. Anders will have to find a bin to chuck this book in later, for some other sap to find.]

I'm Anders, by the way. I'm... new in town, I suppose.

[liuli]

Anders.

[ he repeats the name with the correct cadence, and then puts a hand to his heart briefly, bowing his head in a more proper greeting. ] Shen Shiliu. It's a pleasure to make such fine company - particularly in the same situation.

[ is that your name,

anyway ]

I just found myself here as well. Were you buried in the soil like a seed, too?

[glowup]

[Well— going to assume that's a name, because surely nobody here would be lying, that would be silly. Unprecedented.

He makes a face, a little grim.]

Like a corpse, I'd say. You make it sound like you had a nice time digging out of the dirt.

[wack...]

[liuli]

[ who would do that!!!! whos to say!!!

""""shen shiliu""" laughs, though, and makes a move to playfully toss his hair over his shoulder. ]

Well, as the Flower of the Northwest, I suppose it was due time to bloom.

[ thankfully the overdramatic air of this suggests that this is a joke, and he follows it up with a shake of his head as he drops the act. ] Really, it's not the first time I've been buried one way or another; I'd take dirt over smoking iron.

It was a bit of a jarring wakeup, though, to be brought to some strange other existence underground.

[glowup]

[The.......... okay. Anders makes the hasty pursed-lip decision to not tell Shen Shiliu that he's shaking none of the brothel associations with, ahem, a title like that, because it's rude to just tell a guy that. But oh, is he thinking it.

In fact, innocently enough,] You know, I met a Rose of the South once. Clever hands.

[ANYway!!!!]

You'd have preferred to be welcomed in via carriage? Paraded around in the streets for the locals to gawk at? Even this event is too much of a spotlight for comfort.

[That is definitely the biggest problem with the arrival process.]

[liuli]

[ please help me i love him

gu yun reaches up and puts his hand to his heart, making a mock offended face? ]

Good sir, what kind of career are you thinking of? [ but with a laugh, he continues. ] It's only a nickname because the Northwest is terribly barren and cold, you see. I'm the prettiest thing you'll find there.

[ now is THAT bullshit? who knows. who knows!

carrying on, now with less clownery: ]

As for the carriage - no, I suppose not. It is a bit strange how prepared this place was for, ah. Refugees.

[glowup]

[Oh the prettiest thing there, wow that's definitely not something a charming worker of the night would say in order to bring in more clientele at all, no way... Anders raises an eyebrow much to this effect, but he lets it go; maybe he should stop revealing how many brothels he's been to in his time before it's him who walks away with the funny reputation.

But still, dude. It sounds how it sounds.]

Whatever you say. [ahem, alright,] As for this place... I don't trust it.

[shocking twist.]

I've never known any place to be so ready for refugees as this— Hell, I've never known a place to want refugees. I'm surprised we haven't been shuffled off to the slums and outskirts. Makes me wonder who does get left there.

["have you seen the slums anders" he doesn't need to see them to assume they a) exist and b) suck immeasurably!!]

[liuli]

[ he says absolutely nothing to confirm or deny this rumor. why would he. live with the mystery.

anyway, in more serious news. gu yun glances around their surroundings, at all the pretty city, brow furrowing a little. yeah... that's a good point about the slums. and especially about the trust!!! it doesn't seem like gu yun trusts it much either if his reaction is any immediate indication, the slight frown on his face. ]

Mm. Well. With time will come answers, I suppose. [ which is not nearly quick enough, but, that's fine. ] There seems to be a group of others around who have been here a bit longer. It's worth asking, though I doubt they have many answers, either.

What a strange situation.

[glowup]

[but can he tell people about the flower's immense charm...... the seeds of a new grift are in there somewhere!!!]

"With time" is too late. [So it definitely isn't quick enough; there must surely be people here already suffering besides them, the newcomers with their own personal griefs. Anders shakes his head and sighs shortly - of course it wouldn't be easy. He'll have to poke around and find the less... public-facing parts of these cities, later.] And I've talked to a few of them. They don't know anything.

[A beat. Okay,] That's not a criticism. Not of them. Not really.

[liuli]

[ anders is valid, actually, because gu yun feels exactly the same way. he snorts, a little, shaking his head. ]

Only a little. [ hunt for information harder!!! (no) he gets it, though. ] Not the type to sit on idle hands?

[ because gu yun sure isn't either. he is Suspicious By Nature ]

[glowup]

[It takes him a moment to answer, because, like, historically? Well, everybody makes less than great choices when it comes to activism, surely...

But ultimately,] No. Frankly, the warm welcome makes me restless. I haven't been warmly welcomed anywhere in... years? Ever?

[He shrugs, like, that's whatever! It's still true, though: all this finery and good cheer and whatever is weird af.]