riverview: may test drive meme

[riverviewmod]

riverview test drive meme

Welcome to Riverview's test drive meme! Feel free to dip your toes in on the test drive meme to try out your character in the setting, play out a mission, and get samples for your application at the same time!

● Reserves are currently OPEN.
● Applications open on June 1st.
● Providing all parties are amenable, threads on the test drive meme can count as game canon, as the plot in the prompts presented is game canon.
● TDM threads do not count for Activity Check, but they do count for Activity Bonus Points, so long as all characters involved are accepted into the game.
● Threading on the TDM is intended for prospective new characters, so top-levels should only be posted by players of these characters. Since the events in the TDM are considered game canon, characters currently in the game are free to use the TDM prompts for logs and posts on the regular communities.

Feel free to use the prompts below or create your own scenario. The setting is built to be flexible, so feel free to make things up as you go.

information resources
premise ● arrival ● setting ● ask a question ● calendar ● navigation

prompt i: search & rescue

Following rumors about a magical healing spring deep in the jungle, a group of intrepid explorers ventured out to verify whether it existed or not. After finding the spring inside an ancient temple overrun with tree roots and flora, they brought samples back and discovered that the spring did, in fact, have healing properties. Just like the rumors said.

Until the authorities decided what to do with this information, no actions were to be taken, nor information revealed to the public at large. Unfortunately, the news leaked and spread to the alternative science communities as well as the top minds at Gramarye Magic Research. With interest piqued, several more unauthorized expeditions set out beyond the fence in search of the spring. And once the information leaked beyond these scientists and scholars? Everyday citizens also launched their own excursions into the jungle, many bringing ailing family members or friends along for the ride.

This month the mission is to deploy teams of skilled citizens into the jungle to rescue some of the less fortunate, unsuccessful parties. Some of these people will be trapped or set upon by monsters, unable to move forward to the spring or back to the safety of the city. Others have simply run out of supplies and need the teams to restock them so they can continue their trek. And some groups have managed to reach the spring and collect their own samples of the spring water, only to find themselves struggling to return to the city before the samples lose efficacy. Feel free to create your own party to rescue, and get a team together to do so!

prompt ii: death from above

Normally, living inside the Inhabited City is a pretty safe bet. You can go day to day without running into a monster or risking any kind of danger requiring a fight. Generally, the tall, laser-fenced walls keep out anything particularly dangerous.

The problem with walls? They only go so high.

While usually assault from airborne monsters isn't a problem that's on the map, there's a few weeks during late spring where a swarm of flying monsters not unlike feathery pterodactyls are migrating back to another part of the moon. They're only in the area for a couple of weeks, but during that time, residents can expect occasional attacks by swooping monsters if they should see easy prey. Usually, a good sturdy dark-colored umbrella is enough to keep them from seeing a potential victim or meal, but sometimes the attacks still happen. So the Perimeter Guard sends extra details, calling in all the reserves, to patrol the city and keep an eye out for citizens in distress. There's also a general call for anyone who's experienced at fighting to help protect their fellow citizens. Whether your character is being attacked or protecting someone else, be prepared - these monsters are quick and have very sharp teeth.

prompt iii: homesick bazaar

Over the past couple of weeks, the portal has seemed really fixated on food. Almost every time the portal changes location, new bundles of food are near the entrance, ripe for the Perimeter Guard Orientation Team to pick up and drag through. As a result, the Orientation Team has set up a free bazaar outside City Hall. The Bazaar lasts from the 20th until the 31st of May, and is completely free, featuring tables and booths laden with food taken from the other side of the portal. Many of these foods will be familiar to characters in the City, whether it's that special brand they're totally addicted to or a plate of grandma's family recipe.

Everything at the Bazaar is totally free, and anyone joining in on the feast is encouraged to share (read: gently not allowed to leave until they do) and to tell stories about the origin of the foods from their own home. It's a multidimensional foodie's paradise!

prompt iv: prijata pregaming

Prijata is a holiday in Riverview celebrating platonic love - essentially, it's a celebration of friendship, geared at showing appreciation for existing friends and finding new ones. While I won't spoil the rest of the prompts for the introductory mingle, one of the main staples of Prijata is gift giving, and the Government of Riverview gets into the spirit of it by giving small gifts to everyone who's arrived since the last Prijata.

This prompt can be used to give a quick idea of what your character is into so other characters or players can suggest gifts to be given them (or to give them) if they are accepted! More information can be found in the Prijata Pregaming modpost.

prompt v: friendr/network

Whether your character is posting up a silly word game to distract people from the dangerous mission going on, trying to get hold of a friend, or putting out feelers for people to go out into the fray with, the network is going strong.

Alternately, an offer for a free app is popping up on new arrivals' devices - Friendr is a friend-finder and/or dating app. If characters choose to install it, they will fill out a short bio and parameters for what they're looking for, upload a snap of themselves, and then proceed to browse for matches. This is a typical swipe-left-or-right type app.

Code to post your character's bio is in the textbox below, or you can just do a text version of the information in the app. An example of how it looks can be found here.

<center><blockquote style="width: 220px; margin: 0; padding: 0px; background-image: url('http://i42.tinypic.com/2uf53s4.jpg'); font-size: 12px; font-family: verdana; border-radius: 20px; text-align: center;"><div style="padding: 10px 0 0 0; text-align: center;font-size: 25px; font-weight: 900; font-style: italic; color: #528887; text-shadow: -2px 2px 2px rgba(150, 150, 150, 1);">F<span style="font-size: 16px;">RIENDR</span></div> <center><img src="ICON URL HERE" style="border-radius: 50%; width: 70px; height: 70px; box-shadow:-3px 3px 2px 0px rgba(82, 136, 135, .75);"></center> <center><div style="width: 210px; background-color: #528887; color: #fff; padding: 5px; font-size: 14px;">Name of Character</div></center> <center><div style="width: 210px; background-color: #528887; color: #fff; padding: 5px; font-size: 11px; text-align: left;"><b><small>AGE:</small></b> ## <b><small>INTERESTED IN:</small></b> Male/Female/Any <b><small>SEEKING:</small></b> Type(s) of Relationship(s) <b><small>ABOUT ME:</small></b> Blurb goes here, can be as long or short as you wish.</div></center><br> </blockquote></center>
Many thanks to mistojen for coding this especially for Riverview!

prompt vi: wildcard

Choose your own adventure and do something else in the setting!

navigation
[river market image is by Tyler Edlin]

Comments

[stalkingandplotting]

That's fine by me.

{Considering Tim is in the dark outside trying to figure out where he's going to sleep that isn't full of strangers and not much will be seen in the video anyway.}

One, two, three.

{He switches the camera on and sure enough he's mostly cast in shadow.}

[ikols]

Four! You beat me.

[ By contrast, Loki is in the warm setting of Floor Five currently occupying the couch, evidently channel-surfing. He looks less like a god than a 20-something hipster in a green galaxy hoodie that shifts in real-time, his gift from Billy.

Black-nailed fingers wiggle a cheerful Hello. ]

You're awfully atmospheric there, friend. Need a candle?

[stalkingandplotting]

{Somehow Loki's appearance is both nothing like what Tim expected and entirely unsurprising all rolled into one.}

Nice hoodie.

{It's way too eye-catching for anything Tim would wear himself, but it's fascinating.}

No, thank you. I've got a flashlight if I end up needing one.

{Even in the dim light of the screen reflecting back on his face, Loki can probably determine Tim has seen better days. He's covered in scratches. One's even deep enough to warrant a bandage.}

[ikols]

Mm. [ He tilt his head, noting the wounds. ] You know, I shouldn't really leave you out there all alone. Not when you look like you went ten rounds with Karnilla's tacky nails ...

[ His smile twists into a more concerned raised brow. ]

Where are you?

[stalkingandplotting]

{Tim blinks into the camera, one hand rising to brush his face. He'd forgotten all about the evidence there. He was much more concerned with the bruising and his limp.}

I'm not sure who Karnilla is, but that doesn't sound good. I'm honestly not that bad off. The hospital treated me very well.

{He's had much worse. But, Loki's concern is surprising, and Tim finds his location slipping out of his lips by accident. He needs to make contacts in this strange new world, after all. Why not start here?}

Just outside the building with the assigned housing. I haven't gone anywhere, really.

{He doesn't know where to go.}

[ikols]

I can see where you are, do you wanna come over for pizza? I'll pick you up.

[ Tim the sad birb, he needs a blanket and hot food. Those are always good staples to make friends with, even dating back to the Vikings. ]

[stalkingandplotting]

Are you sure? We just met. And you don't have to come get me. I can follow directions.

{His Gotham born and bred paranoia is saying this is a horrible idea, but his aching body and rumbling stomach are being lured by the promise of pizza. Pizza was a comfort food in any world, it seemed.}

[ikols]

Yes, but, [ The video goes out and Loki, in the next moment, is standing a few feet behind Tim, the teleportation noiseless and uneventful for its sneaky master, ] I'm so much faster than you.

[ He stays where he is in case of startling Tim, pocketing his phone. ]

[stalkingandplotting]

{Tim's hand goes automatically towards his waist at Loki's sudden appearance, but it comes up empty. Right. He put all of his equipment in the bag because he's trying to keep Red Robin under wraps until he really needs to unveil him.}

Well, that's a handy trick.

{Gods. There's a reason why Batman tried to keep metas, aliens, and their enemies out of Gotham.}

[ikols]

[ Bright green eyes flicker to the placement of Tim's hand, then levy a smile upwards as they meet the other's stare. ]

You looked like you needed a friend in a hurry. [ It's not a method he utilises often, that would just get boring. Loki offers an arm to Tim, stooping a little like a classic gentleman. ] Shall we? Grab on and I'll take you to the magical realm known as Floor Five, wherein hoards of greasy snacks and warm blankets lurk. Also some superheroes, but we'll be ignoring them.

[stalkingandplotting]

I-...Thanks, Loki. I appreciate it.

{He runs a hand through his hair, not exactly sure how else to respond except with gratitude. He only hesitates a small moment before laying his hand on Loki's arm, perfect society placement.

He makes his eyes go wide and surprised.}

Superheroes-? Your roommates, I'm guessing?

[ikols]

[ Emerald smoke twirls up from the ground to surround their legs, slowly winding higher. Loki ignores it, which is Tim's hint that it's nothing to panic about; a slower method of teleportation so that Loki's plus one doesn't suffer too much disorientation. ]

Yeah, a few of the Avengers. Don't worry, you're with me! They'll leave us alone out of sheer suspicion while pretending the distance is all polite manners.

[stalkingandplotting]

{Tim watches the smoke curiously and his fingers twitch. He'd love to take a sample to analyze later, but he doesn't dare get his get from his belt in the bag.

He laughs a little as Loki's description of the by-play.}

I don't think I've heard of the Avengers. Have you heard of the Justice League?

{It would be good to know who the heroes were around here. He could perhaps approach them as Red Robin later for an alliance.}

[ikols]

No, but they sound just as lame.

[ Not that he sounds too mean about it, the dismissal is more an absent afterthought as if he can't take a single step for tripping over supers and finds them exasperating as a result (and not entirely inaccurate).

The smoke surrounds them and muffles any noise of the outdoors, replacing it with the growing hum of a television and distant voices. When it dissipates seconds later the temperate is warmer and Loki and Tim stand in the kitchen of Floor Five, the lounge open to one side with evidence of pizza and a well-used couch prior to Loki's jaunt to fetch his newest fascination.

He pats him on the arm and steps aside, letting Tim orient himself as the godling finds him a drink. ]

You good? A mortal friend of mine told me to do that gently, the teleporting thing. She said her stomach was in her throat the first time, before we tried smog.

[stalkingandplotting]

{Tim covers his small smile with the hand not clutching his bag. It was kind of funny anyone thinking of Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman as lame, even without including the rest of the League. He is remarkably unphased by their change of location, except for taking it all in, looking for the windows and doors.}

I'm fine. Thank you for the consideration.

{He's traveled much worse ways. Carefully, as though he doesn't want to disturb anything he picks his way over to the couch and sits down, extending his injured leg. In the light, he looks worse.}

[ikols]

You look like roadkill. [ He sinks down on the other side of the couch, setting down some apple juice by Tim and nudging the pizza box his way. Long-fingered hands clasp as Loki leans forward on his knees, head cocked at the sight of Tim's injury. ] Does that need some medical attention? There's a first-aid box if you've need of it.

[ Stupid mortals being all fragile and giving a god reason to worry. Also, he doesn't want the Avengers assuming he beat the guy up. ]

[stalkingandplotting]

{Drone kill is more like it, Tim thinks.}

The hospital already treated me well when I got here, thanks. It's really not as bad as it looks. I'm fine.

{He takes the apple juice with a quiet thanks and sips on it. He's afraid the pizza will turn his stomach after the prison food, no matter how much he wants a slice.}

[ikols]

What were you doing to yourself that warranted the attention of doctors?

[ A trip to the hospital is no small thing, he went there himself. He saw the state of some of the patients. ]

[stalkingandplotting]

Ah, my city, Gotham, it was under attack before I ended up here.

{He's leaving out the detour to Oz's prison which was a couple of weeks at least if his time keeping wasn't completely ruined.}

[ikols]

What was attacking the city? If I may ask.

[ He spreads his hands in a brie shrug. Nosy godling, what can you do. ]

[stalkingandplotting]

{For a split second Tim bares his teeth and looks very much like someone different from the polite young man he's been for rest of their conversation, then it's gone and he's shaking his head a little.}

Secret government organization within a government organization with programmed drones intending to 'protect' Gotham.

{Was the incredibly short and simplified version of the story.}

[ikols]

[ Loki blinks, staring. A short pause later and he asks in the same demure curious tone, ]

Sounds specific. How did you figure that out?

[stalkingandplotting]

I work for a major company in Gotham. The whole, money talks thing. It's one of those cities with founding families and legacies. It wasn't super hard to guess the government angle when military grade drones start flying by the windows, you know?

{The best part is that Tim doesn't even have to lie to sound like an entitled kid that's just a bit smarter than the average bear.}

[ikols]

And it can't have been the most secret of organisations-within-organisations if civilians know about it, hm? Even bluebloods like you.

[ He looks sympathetic as he feeds into a rhetoric that makes sense, something easily adopted if the truth is too complex. ]

[stalkingandplotting]

{Tim laughs and keeps playing his part.}

Well, it's never as secret as they think, and it definitely doesn't help when they make one of said bluebloods their commanding General. People gossip when someone's rising star career pauses indefinitely without a scandal.