TDM: JANUARY/FEBRUARY

[ryslighelpers]

TDM: JANUARY/FEBRUARY

Welcome to the Ryslig Test Drive Meme! Below are a few prompts to get you started, but you may make up any prompt you desire! Please take a look at the navigation page for rules, setting information, and links to reserves and apps. Have fun!

SCENARIO ONE

You wake up in a dark ditch, the sky cloudy overhead. Dirt cakes into your cuts and scrapes. The air is clammy and damp, and it smells like rain.

You’re in a grave. And when you sit up to inspect the tombstone marking your spot, it has your name on it. Maybe the graves next to you have the names of familiar friends, family, acquaintances. Not all of them are open like yours are. RIP.

There’s a light dancing in the distance, and you hear the jingle-jangle of heavy keys, or worse still, the gravekeeper’s massive pitchfork or shovel. If you're lucky, you can sneak out beyond his notice, and get out alone. If not - you might find yourself on the wrong end of a shovel’s swing, or worse yet, tripping headfirst in front of a pair of monstrous eyes.

SCENARIO TWO

You've stumbled your way out of the graveyard, and you're promptly besieged by the overwhelming sights and sounds of the city. Cars honk at you to get out of the street, and strangers try not to look in your direction for too long. They see your dirty clothes and scraped faces, and pretend to busy themselves with something else. Rarely, a look of pity is cast your way.

But some people try to reach out. Enterprising citizens and those that hope to curry favor with the newcomers pass out new clothes and bundles of food, asking if you have a place to stay the night, wondering about the details of the world you came from. Some are even handing out pamphlets which vary in how helpful they are--"What To Expect When You're Expecting (To Turn Into A Monster)", "Wolpertinger: Fact or Fiction?", "100% ACCURATE MONSTER QUIZ ASSESSMENT: GUARANTEED TO PREDICT YOUR MONSTER!", and "Ryslig Law In A Nutshell".

Then there are the people who aren't happy to see you at all. Glares and silent, judging stares if you're lucky, torches and pitchforks attempting to drive you out of the town if you're not. You may need a friend to help you.

SCENARIO THREE

"Seek us out," the voice whispers in your head, and before you have time to question it you've found yourself in someplace entirely alien.

Maybe it's the Fog God's ghostly town of Dyster, where exultant followers dance around bonfires and sing their praises to the skies above. Maybe it's the Fourth God's arcade, with small robots wheeling about amidst the lights and colors of old pinball machines.

Only one thing is certain: you are not alone, in this sacred place.

SCENARIO FOUR

The time has come and you've found yourself becoming a monster. Is the change instant, or gradual? Are you familiar enough with monsters to know what's happening, or is it a complete shock? Does it fit you, or does it feel incongruous with your nature? Feel free to pick any monster type for this prompt, but note that you may not get the same one in game.

Comments

[hecatombed]

[So many strange questions. Why would he have to wear Beat's clothes? Where is he taking this salad? Surely it can be disposed of somehow, or are they the ones responsible for that? He should focus on one thing at a time.]

That will not be necessary, I trust.

[Offering a slightly confused smile, Hythlodaeus stands, observing his new friend in all his jiggly glory. At least he had the great fortune of meeting someone so generous.]

I will be happy to sort my own affairs to the best of my abilities. I needs only be provided with the bare necessities, honestly. I have surely stolen much of your time with my hapless antics.

[He sounds exasperated with himself. He'll make it up to you, Beat, he promises. Somehow.]

[soundsurfing]

Aight!

[Standing, Beat thanks the waitress and leads Hyth out of the diner but not before yelling at the cook to see him later. And he shakes his head to Hythlodaeus, looking amused as he stands outside and readjusts to being a cold slime.]

'Ey, er... Hey, don't worry about it! I took the time off of work to help people out that come in, it happens every month with the fog coming in, so it's easy to schedule it to help out. It's a bit of a walk to the 38-8, but thankfully not too far. We shouldn't have to take a cab, unless you get tired of walking.

[Being a monster had that at least, the extra stamina needed to walk all over the city, when you might not fit into cars. Getting his bearings he begins to move off in a direction to start 'walking', chatting as he does.]

The Lighthouse offers changes of clothes and stuff to newcomers, as well as vouchers for free places to stay and some money, but it's a bit out of the city. We can get you cleaned up and warm before then, at least.

[hecatombed]

[So Beat does this often, helping others. That at least explained why he was so knowledgeable and quick to offer assistance without even knowing Hythlodaeus' name. A kind soul, if a little unorthodox-looking. He seems to be on good terms with everyone, even if they might not show Beat the same energy in return. It reminded him of himself, a little. Musing to himself, he seems lost in thought for a moment as the pair of them start down the sidewalk, Hythlodaeus a calm and steady presence even if his mind is elsewhere.]

Oh, don't worry about me. The cold will deter me before my feet have anything to say about the journey.

[He laughs a little, giving Beat a smile.]

But, as a fortune, the mud on my robes and hair has dried, and therefore no longer amplifies the bite of the wind. The brief respite of the shelter we paid visit to ensured that I have the stamina to continue, so worry not.

[Taking time to observe the city as they walked, Hythlodaeus finds it quaint - to put it nicely. If he was going to be spending any amount of time here trying to find his way back to where he was supposed to be, whether it be Amaurot or the aetherial sea, he would have to learn to adjust to it's primitiveness.]

Tell me, Beat. Was your home much like this place, or did you also find yourself out of your element when you first arrived? I must admit, if it wasn't already painfully obvious, I have scarcely any idea of what to make of all of it.

[soundsurfing]

[Poor guy, Beat's own entry into Ryslig was a lot less in a grave but he still recalls the rotting decaying moose that spoke of death and doom. Covered in wounds is similar. The poor man is going to have a time. He's brought out of his distracted thoughts to Hyth asking his question, looking around as he walks, and ponders.]

Hmmm.... Yes an' no. It ain't as advanced as the place I was from. [Oops his speech is slipping.] The buildings are similar but also not? It's hard to explain. We got similar back home but the styles are diff.

[He stares thoughtfully out at the buildings as they pass, people doing their best to give the two a wide berth. Some because oh no monster. Others because geezus he's a slime wtf and oh my tall.]

It's more 'in the past' fer me. Like if I was flippin' through a book of photos from the 30s or 40s [close, 50s!] and fell in. But the style is also like somethin' from another part of the world, I think. So I ain't totally lost but it's also a lil' on the wow I miss my phone. [He tilts his head towards Hythlodaeus, glancing upwards at him.] What was yer world like?

[hecatombed]

[It's clear Beat is trying very hard to speak in a way that Hythlodaeus will understand. It's endearing, really, that he would go to such lengths. However, it was also sort of necessary, as when Beat really got into his drawl, he was nigh incomprehensible.]

Ah, so this is something of a historical village from your world? Alas, nothing in history has presented itself as such from the star which I hail.

[For the first time, Hythlodaeus looks a bit melancholy, eyesight dropping down to drift along the pavement as they walked. For a time, only the sound of his soft leather shoes and Beat's slimy footsteps could be heard.]

My star... our star. Regrettably, I currently do not know the state of it.

[He sighs, crossing his arms apprehensively.]

Etheirys was its name. Unparalleled in its beauty, everything in brilliant harmony, as was our duty to facilitate. The capital of Amaurot was the home of great minds and mages. The archive of all mankind's knowledge, his triumphs, and the lessons of his missteps. A tirelessly crafted perfection, it was.

[He trailed off, clearly enraptured not by his own words, but by the memory of his home. Nothing he said could begin to do it justice. The smile returned to his face, and he looked again at Beat.]

Would that you could one day visit. Full glad would I be to tour you the bustling streets, watched over by the buildings and spires eternally reaching for the heavens. Architectural bliss, the pride of my people! I would show you the Bureau of the Architect, the office of which I have the honor of presiding over as Chief.

[With a hand to his heart, he's genuine in his offer. Perhaps one day he would be able to guide Beat around his city the way Beat is guiding him here.]

Ah, I'm afraid I may have ran away with your question...

[soundsurfing]

[The way Hythlodaeus speaks about his world. It's... interesting. He sounds almost like a Composer; someone invested in not just the well-being of the world itself, but the well-being of the living creatures as well. Everything in harmony, as he said. He can't help but smile at the obvious love for it. For this Etheirys. Like Josh's love for Shibuya.

The offer to show him around makes him blink and he offers a wide smile in return, looking like he has the best idea in the world.]

You might be able to! It won't be 'xactly accurate, an' some details might be lost, but we have a Museum here that alters itself whenever someone new comes in, an' it offers a peek into that persons world. I can show you it after we getchu cleaned up, if you like!

[It might be good or it might be bad, depending on Hythlodaeus' reaction to it. Thinking back to his earlier thoughts, he gives Hythlodaeus a thoughtful look.]

Gotta ask, yo. You considered a God at yer place?

[hecatombed]

[Enraptured by Beat's description of the museum, Hythlodaeus' lilac eyes practically sparkle in wonder. It's not new technology to him to have an environment change at will, but in this place, he'd take any semblance of magic he could get.]

I would be quite interested to learn the inner workings of such a construct! What's more, what pride it would bring to be able to give you a glimpse of Amaurot! Perhaps you could show me your home, as well?

[He was excited both about the logistics of the museum and using it for themselves. Such animated conversation made the walk easier to bear. Hythlodaeus had made day trips to far-off places such as Elpis, so he was used to walking long distances to survey, but anything further than a trek to Beat's apartment would usually call for the use of an aetheryte were he back home.]

[At the question, he blinks, speechless for a moment, then laughs.]

A god, oh, heavens no! Haha! Pray do not lavish on me such an honorable role. Being Chief is well enough for someone of my paltry ability.

No, my people are simply stewards, nothing more. Imparted with the ability to create, 'tis our responsibility only to keep balance. Though our power is great, gods wield far greater.

What makes you ask such a question?