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

[sharmat]

If I am, then educate me. I welcome it.

(set's hand is offered and taken, but voryn's grip reaches past the god's palm to clasp his forearm in a tight, unyielding grip. this is a greeting of soldiers at war, and whether set was a warrior for his people or something else, arriving here has made him one. they fight for the cause and for the fates of the families. what distracts him from their greeting is the reaction of those around them, which poses a problem. to be seen conversing with an unpopular shard-bearer could damage the reputation he means to build—or it could aid him if set is powerful and ambitious.)

Comments spoken behind hands will stain them, so be open with your criticisms. Has either of you something to say to us? (his address is heard and eyes narrow at the interjection. they aren't frightened by voryn, but they recognize confidence and power when they see it; they have busy schedules and depart quickly from the area.

when they're alone, voryn releases set, and speaks to him again.)

You mean to take me to a cornerclub. A tavern. (ew, ew, ew, common establishments—) ... It's a fair suggestion. Spingstar's people are foreign to me and I am foreign to them. I will follow you to this place and ask you to correct my behaviours if I should choose the wrong ones.

It shouldn't be a problem.

(but it could be!!!)

[redsoil]

[ Voryn seizes him as one might a companion-in-arms. The gesture is familiar enough that it is without thought that Set clasps his own hand around the extended forearm, the dark curl of his claws stark against cloth and flesh below. Soon, he hopes to quell the discordant note plucked within him; it has been difficult already, to feel the rise of fanaticism and ferality towards Meridian's cause, to sing of it as though he were a general upon the field in its honor. He is not Meridian's beast. Only its ally, for as long as his heart holds out in the face of his own despairing.

He casts a sharp, murderously-wrathful eye towards those who speak ill of him, when Voryn brings their mutterings to attention. Willing to let such slights slip, for the people were of no import to him, he finds himself tipping his chin up until the sleek curtain of his hair falls over nose and brow. Elegant and stern, in his own silent daring; he knows what he's done, what his despair led him to present to the people. He holds shame for actions, but does not balk from them.

They leave anyways, hurried in their retreat. ] When I arrived, I was violent and wild. I crushed warriors and attempted to assail the hall of Heliopolis, for daring to bear the name of my home.

[ He will be honest with Voryn, then. He will speak openly of his crimes, and not hide the sins he bears. Still, he makes to draw the man to his feet with the flex of a lean arm, and arches a brow at the tone he takes. A curl of amusement, perhaps a tiny of mockery, upon the full of his mouth. ]

I feel you will have a better time where it is noisy and anon, rather than high-brow -- where all eyes will be upon you. This is a difficult time. Your despair may catch up to you sooner, rather than later.

[ Kindred souls call to one another. They take notice of similarities. ]

You'll be in the company of the god of war, Set. Should anyone assail you against your will, I will break their arms and give them something new to whisper about.

[sharmat]

(the god of war. this comes as some degree of surprise to voryn. the quality of his stare becomes momentarily vacant as though deep in thought or study until the bottom lids of his eyes twitch until his expression becomes narrow and hard.)

My despair is immense and felt at all times, though I am not weak enough in my mind to allow it to control my actions. But I do not need to explain this to a god, (voryn says. the word contains an edge and that edge is his hatred of gods.

his only solace is that this is not a god of his realm. at the very least, this is not a god of his realm that he knows or one that has fiddled with his life as though it were a trinket of little value. while he imagines that a god of war is one more straightforward with intentions than a god of mischief, this does not make him unwary or arrogant; through his whispers with lorkhan's heart, nonlinear and maddening, he has learned not to put his faith in higher powers.

this is the way of the sixth house, the secular house of the chimer.

standing now and removing his touch, he waits for a determined route and pace, head full of questions.)

With respect, Lord Set, I ask you something that will disturb me if left unanswered. Did you not have the power to save your own realm?

[redsoil]

You may explain as much or as little as you like. I do not pretend to know the minds of others, [ he is not all-knowing, nor far-sighted as his nephew is rumored to be. What Set knows is as much as anyone else, though his mentality is discernably unlike anything else. It is raw, wild in ways and unfathomable in others; he takes slights where others may not, and passes on insults others would take to heart. The fact that Voryn does not dismiss his divinity, but instead seems to loathe it, is acceptable to him.

It washes over him, without baiting a rise from Set. He knows he is contemptible. To curry favor with the Ennead's greatest sinner was divisive and dangerous; the only men who did so were rotten at heart, murderers and slavers and monsters. But, in Kenos, he knows those who could accept his presence as it is. A symbol of battle and renown, of war and violence. ( Ironically, the jinba woman who Voryn will get into a huge fucking spat with is one of his odd... acolytes? allies? ) ]

Not then, no. But, I will regain what was taken from me, and I will save it this time. It is my duty, to my family and those who look to us.

[sharmat]

Then you are aligned with Meridian, (voryn guesses, slipping his hands deep into the sleeves of his robes.) As am I, which makes me your julbir—your ally. Now that you know this, you should feel more confident than you were. I am of great benefit.

(having the power and knowledge of a god will improve his odds, but gods are fickle and untrustworthy. voryn's grim procession through this world and across its battlefields will be a wary one; he hopes, in time, he can call this being dependable.

that all starts with one drink.)

Come, war god. Lead me to the place with strong spirits.

[redsoil]

You made your decision swiftly, I see. Most find difficulty in discerning which side of the line best reflects their values and goals.

[ Careful consideration of all options is not something he is against, even he had stayed his hand for a time, before recognizing that he had shirked his duty as Egypt's god of war before, and would not be able to do so again. There was a promise made, and he clings to it by tooth and nail, no matter if it calls for his misery and despair to see it accomplished, or not. ]

I am aligned with the stance that those of Meridian take, yes. I am a god, my great-grandmother is Ra -- creator of all, and it is not within me to deny that given time and effort, I could emulate her. I will emulate her.

[ Ra likes him best for a reason, you know.

He extends his hand to Voryn, and a wild smile tears across the severity of his resting expression. Bold teeth upon display, eyes fire-bright with savage delights; he is a man that inspires infectious madness, passions beyond sanity, chaos of the heart. ]

We will go to the Last Dance, my new ally.

[ And that, in the end, is where Voryn will be escorted to -- drawn along by a few idle comments from Set about the nature of the wild sprawl, sitting along the uppermost edges of the Below, beautiful and indolent. He takes Voryn to a space serving as dark, richly-smoky tavern with pockets of regulars that have likely been there since the establishment grew out of a single seller, where averting ones eyes and leaving others to their work - good or bad - is the name of pleasantry. ]

ittiest bittiest timeskip

[sharmat]

I should like to learn more, (voryn concludes, taking set's hand as they make their way to the fringe of the below where it's darker, cooler, and richer—not in currency but in colour.) We will speak of these things and of Meridian, as there is much to know and I have only just arrived in Springstar.

(voryn the washes of red momentarily bring him home, drifting through hanging tapestries he would like to purchase to drape himself and his walls in. set's fingers have been redirected courteously to his forearm, his own resting over the backs of pale knuckles. this old-fashioned etiquette lasts until they reach the tavern, where they must separate to enter. its narrow foyer leads into a larger chamber bustling with patrons and yet virtually noiseless for all the whispering being done among seatmates. little of it carries to the nook set apart from the rest of the main chambers. its atmospheric smoke still coils in, some lungfuls floral and some spiced with narcotics being passed just beyond their walls.

voryn shares a corner seat a cushion away from set and speaks at length to the god of his great-grandmother. in his hand is a far stronger beverage than the wine offered above, and while the taste isn't the quality he's come to expect from his family's own brandy, the burn is similar and satisfying. it's sweeter than other spirits but oaky from the barrel it was aged in, a taste that sits on the back of his tongue to linger until his head is lighter and his gestures are more pronounced.)

Lord Set, you mentioned creation before and that the reason for it all was Ra, your honourable great-grandmother. This tells me that our realities must be different, for unless she bears many other names, I have heard no tales of her—creation gods, certainly, even war gods like you. But if she could weave something into being in a Void so vast, our people would revere her.

(the only lean voryn makes is one that'll bring him closer to the bottle so that he may pour more into set's glass.)

I do not doubt her existence, no, no. My House is secular, however, and does not worship any concepts but philosophy, art, and diplomacy. We believe in creating things on our own.

[redsoil]

[ It is strange to him, to have his arm held in such a way; it feels both overly-familiar and distinctively remote, more of an idle pleasantry than an act of control. Still, his skin crawls and his jaw tenses -- electing to permit such contact, rather than alienate a man who might prove to be as powerful an ally as he might be an enemy. The moment he is able to part and sit, he does so in a rush, coiling his limbs across the dark cushions in his favorite corner -- few settle there, now that the war god has claimed it as his proverbial throne.

The rich, bitter scent of smoke flows between the obscene jut of his canine teeth, the fullness of his mouth parted as he comes to settle on smoking throughout the conversation, drawing from a pipe that smells faintly of frankincense and the exotic, foreign amalgamation of Springstar itself. As Voryn speaks, he continues to reorient himself to face the other man, darkly-lined eyes at half-mast and hair thrown into a spill of vibrant red across his spine. Lines of bright color and gold jewelry shining in the dim firelight cast around the dusky domain of the Last Dance. ]

Ra gave birth to herself, from the cosmic sea. She is the almighty beginning of world, and origination of the lineage that eventually came to my own beginnings. To hear that your reality has none like her is - curious, to me. Not obscene, nor incorrect. I have traveled far and wide of my world, and other lands have other creators as well. We are all children of the cosmic sea.

[ He accepts the glass poured for him, with the ease of someone who is quite used to such acts of service. It is not as though he trusts Voryn, but that he is incapable of considering betrayal; even if betrayal has richly woven itself throughout his history. ]

We are concepts, Lord Dagoth. We rule our humans and guide them, and they owe all they are capable of to us.

[ Hesitatingly, as he drinks deep of the cup: ] Or, so I have always thought.

[sharmat]

Yes, we are, (voryn agrees, contemplative as he beholds set and the way the god's fingers curl around the bowl of the pipe. its scent is so nostalgic that he lets his guard down, and in the breadth of that moment, he speaks genuinely.) ... I would never have come here if you'd bestowed me with an invitation before my world was destroyed. So, I can tell that my priorities have shifted... While I am wisely wary of the power gods have over mortal lives, I am no longer afraid of communing with them. Our night here together does not represent a debt owed. What it represents is good humour and the end to a miserable day.

(there is no way to catch himself in the act of being sentimental when he's already through. voryn, therefore, carries on with new barriers erected to keep his mind from slipping from the influence of strong alcohol and stronger drugs. he can focus wholly on the sensations forcing his far freer body and spirit to comingle in pleasant numbness; simultaneously overstimulated, he feels every thread of the rich fabric that's caught up around his ankles and the weight of his arms as they move in languid gestures.)

Ra may have observed her own beginning and the beginning of your world, but it seems as though her sight has since gone dark if she has truly abandoned everything to this place at the end of all things... Or perhaps she knows. (voryn leaves what that would imply well enough alone, reaching the bottom of his own drink that he holds for a moment behind his teeth. family disputes, especially the ones engaged in by gods, are always cataclysmic.

instead, with set now preoccupied with his cup, he swallows the burn and asks with an open palm for the pipe in exchange.)

What troubles you, Lord Set? Humans?