riverview: 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 April 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.
● Since this particular TDM is plot-heavy, current players are welcome to do their own top-levels to interact with the plot. However, since it is still a TDM intended to help potential new players get involved, there will be a special additional +25 Activity Point bonus for any thread submitted by a current player that involves a potential new character rather than focusing on existing CR, for this TDM post.

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. Thanks to player-created plots, this month's Test Drive is set to effect the game setting for the next few months, so please enjoy!

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

plot overview

After just over a week of increasingly serious blackouts and brownouts around the city, the team in charge of the structural integrity and defense of the wall has found the source of the problem, and posted a network entry explaining that the issue is caused by a large quantity of lizard-like monsters that have compromised the underground infrastructure of the city, and requesting volunteers to help do a full-scale manual extermination of monsters and assess the damage and do urgent repairs.

prompt i: a call to arms

The most urgent request presented is for people to help clear out the monsters in the underground tunnels - and there are a lot of them! With estimated monster numbers in the area of 500-1000, ranging from adult to juvenile, there's a lot of work to be done to clear out the underground infrastructure of the city. The Perimeter Guard will have a steady stream of transport trucks going to escort any fight-capable residents who want to volunteer out to the tunnels. They will also provide weapons of various varieties as well as short training sessions on how to use them safely in a confined space for anyone who doesn't have their own.

Whether you fight with a weapon, your fists, magic, or poison darts, your help is more than welcome down in the tunnels. The only real request is to keep seismic or explosive abilities or attacks on the mild side, and to be careful not to poison the city's water supply! Other than that, go wild.

prompt ii: into the depths

Clearing out monsters is all well and good, but they have definitely done some damage to the city's infrastructure. So it isn't just the brawn that needs to step up to help the city, it's the brains. There's a call for anyone with any kind of special ability that would help with emergency repairs. Whether it's engineers, chemists, anyone with first aid, runners to distribute supplies, or any other special ability that would help out in the underground tunnels and fix some of the damage that's been done, anyone is welcome to help. And if you think it's just scientists who are needed, think again - magic is a well-known if not-well-understood facet of life in Riverview Quarantine, and some of this stuff works on a more arcane level than a mundane one.

And, of course, all of these brainiacs are going to need a little backup, so any bruisers to act as escort and protection are also welcome.

prompt iii: trapped in a...

Not everyone has the skills or desire to head out into the jungle and fight for the city, and that's perfectly fine. Inside the Quarantine walls, life is carrying on as normally as it can. That is, aside from the ongoing blackouts.

Wherever you might be in the city, you run a pretty decent risk of getting trapped somewhere for a short period of time. Whether it's trapped in an elevator, a tram car, a store, the housing you share with someone you barely know, or anywhere else in the city, it could happen to you. This could be the start of a beautiful friendship or a meet-cute to tell your grandkids about...at least, that is, if you get along with the person you're stuck with...

prompt iv: 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 new, free app is popping up on people's 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 v: wildcard

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

navigation

Comments

[spellslots]

Like, uh, I only got so much energy, you know? I can't go slinging spells around all day.

[The phrasing probably wasn't the best, but he's still getting used to people's powers or magic working differently.]

So you don't gotta bother with shit for me if it's limited, you know?

[greyjane]

The Greyjanes are an interplanetary peacekeeping corps, yes.

[And 'Commander' is a fairly common rank, she doesn't really plan on admitting just how high up she is unless she has to.]

[signifies]

What sort of problems are you usually handling?

[ He adds: ]

Other than reporters.

[greyjane]

[She smiles. It's not a particularly nice expression, more keen-edged and knife-sharp.]

The sort that need handling. Generally. Not everyone with extranormal abilities has the best intentions of humanity at heart. Not every government on every planet is keen on the idea of peace. We have a unique responsibility to keep people in line.

[signifies]

[ It's met with Clark's usual mild expression. She wants to be terrifying, that's fine by him. ]

Can you give me an example?

[greyjane]

Mm.

[The best one she has is Astal Port, but she does her level best to keep that man's name out of her mouth unless she's speaking it as a curse. Ergo.]

I'm almost certain the adage 'those with power use that power' is universal. Sometimes, other people like me need to be contained for the safety and benefit of the greater good. Some of them can kill worlds. I'm not sure what justification there could possibly ever be in wanting to accomplish something like that, so I hope you can understand when I say that's the sort of thing we stop.

[signifies]

[ The destruction of a world is a very specific reference. ]

I understand.

[ Empathy flashes in his eyes. He drinks his coffee quickly. Clark knows his own power is incredibly dangerous if misused. He keeps himself away from people as often as he can, especially when it becomes too much.

He isn't about to underestimate someone who's confident about their power, likely because of years of training. ]

III.

[leadintheyoung]

[ The initial answer to that question comes in the form of loud, uneven shuffling followed by a few equally loud steps maybe? Whatever the source, the origin point is definitely not to be found inside the elevator, but rather on top of it. It's after roughly a minute of less than flattering follow-up noise that the hatch atop the metal box is opened without the slightest bit of ceremony and -- yes, hello -- there is a brunette peering down through the hole at the organic contents of the box, which amount to a... cat? A cat wearing clothes.

Okay.

Don't mind the hood falling over her head for her current positioning or the slightly perplexed look on her face. When she opens her mouth, there's a definite accent not at all unlike Old Irish for those familiar. ]

Sorry, what was that?

Damianos ♛ Captive Prince

[goldcuffed]

[i. Call to Arms]
[Damen probably shouldn't be out yet. The physicians had told him that he should take it easy for at least a week after they had treated his stab wound in the hospital. Bed-rest seems like a much more daunting thought without Laurent beside him to make it better, though. He would rather be out doing something, and apparently this city - this strange, bizarre place - has an infestation of monsters.

(Monsters. Like in a children's story. He can hardly believe any of this.)

The hospital, upon his release, had found him some new clothes to wear - sweats and a grey shirt that fits a little too tightly on his big frame, and the Perimeter Guard had found him an old sword, and so he had been dispatched reluctantly with another to handle a very small nest of the creatures in a particular dead end tunnel off-shoot. It's better than lying around worrying uselessly about Laurent, for the moment.]

This is almost it. Stay quiet.

[iii. Trapped In A...]
[Damen had regarded the elevator with distaste and uncertainty the first time. A mechanical box meant to lift people to higher floors? What on earth was wrong with stairs? But he had stepped into it anyway, deciding he might as well see how this thing works. For the moment, at least, he can't return home - he should try to fit in, make himself inconspicuous.

It's hard. At 6'6" and broad shouldered, he takes up a lot of room in this small box. Giant animal, he can almost hear Laurent's sniggering.

After a moment in the elevator, the lights suddenly flicker out, and the metal box creaks to a halt with the doors shut on him and the other person in the elevator with him. Damen frowns.] This isn't supposed to happen, is it?

[iv. Network, Video, un: damen]
[When the video feed clicks on, it is first very, very closely focused on one brown eye, close enough to show the gold flecks around the pupil. Eventually, it pulls out on a tired-looking, olive-skinned young man lying in a hospital bed, wearing a paper gown that is almost a bit too small for his very tall, broad frame - a brand new arrival, who has recently had an injury tended. He's had the little introductory lesson to the network and devices, but the angle on the video is odd, as if he's not entirely sure how to hold it or where to look into.]

Is this all difficult to process for anyone else? Portals, lights that burn without fire, and- Well, I'm speaking into a small box hoping people can see me on their own small boxes. It's so strange, isn't it? [Please tell him he isn't the only one who can't handle this load of information all at once.]

tony stark | the dumpster fire that is ultimate marvel

[inebriety]

ii

[While people were rushing around, Tony stood out by doing nothing but stand there and watch everyone. It didn't seem like he had any intention of doing anything and would probably continue to do nothing if someone running past didn't mistake him for looking for something to do and dump a pile of supplies into his arms before running off.

He watches them go with bemusement and then seems to glance off to the side and shrug at something only he can see before he drops his newly acquired items on the ground.]

You can have them if you want.

[Or it can stay there for all he cares.]

iii

[In an enclosed space the stench of alcohol is hard to avoid, but despite the smell Tony is remarkably steady on his feet. There's no swaying and he doesn't even stumble when the elevator shudders to a halt.]

What do you think the problem is?

[It's not addressed to the other occupant, but he's also not talking to himself. Prying open the panel covering the wires doesn't take much, but he also chooses not to do anything further than that. He'd rather wait for help than get his hands dirty.]

iv

FRIENDR

Tony Stark

AGE: Legal
INTERESTED IN: Any
SEEKING: A fun time
ABOUT ME: I've never had to introduce myself before. What do people normally say?

v

[keeponstrolling]

I dunno. I'm on my fifth an' they haven't kicked me out yet. So....

[To Logan's right is a man balanced precariously on his stool, leaning back as far as possible without falling over. He's furiously but determinedly trying to spark up his lighter without much success, hand cupped close to his face.]

Do what you will, buddy.

iv

[naz]

I don't think it's fair to judge someone based on "what" they are. I imagine there are good and bad in vampires, werewolves, and witches just as much as there are good and bad in humans.

Although, with that said, I can't say I've ever met any of the species listed and, admittedly, had always just sort of assumed that was myth.

[morganknight]

"Mmm," Morgan said, relaxing out of his form. Needless to say, he wasn't even breathing hard; the exertion had been trivial. "I mean, it's a generated image, so call it 'a holographic projection' or an 'illusion' or whatever term you want. The mechanics aren't technological, though. Most people would call it Magick."

Which neatly glossed over centuries of philosophical and pragmatic distinctions that had led to literal war and bloodshed at times. Skip all that, it didn't matter here or to her.

[morganknight]

[Morgan barely twitches as Dodger teleports, because his concentration runs far deeper than his casual outer demeanor hints at. Despite the banter, internally Morgan sinks into a tranquil calm, in which his reflexes heighten and his focus sharpens. Or to put it in less philosophical terms, he's buffing before battle.]

I prefer to live, generally speaking, but with a partner down here to help I feel a little more confident about dealing with a larger number of monsters at one time. Is there a limit on how much you can do that?

I

[morganknight]

[The man wandering up looks pristine save for some muss in his very long hair, and no one could blame her if she thinks he hasn't been doing much at all. The simple truths are that neither his sword nor the coat that function as his armor let bodily fluids cling to them, and also he's a little vain.]

I think we're running out of them, actually. Which is good. I'm starving.

[He accepts the bottle of water with a grateful smile, using his first small gulp to rinse his mouth out.]

[flackjacket]

[ that's certainly handy, and lois makes a duly impressed face that's only a slight exaggeration from how impressed she actually is. for all that she knows someone with superpowers intimately, she doesn't actually know many superpowered individuals. ]

Electricity? [ she guesses. it's what that looked like, but she can think of other explanations as well. ]

iii

[morganknight]

[Leaning up against the opposite wall of the elevator, her erstwhile companion in captivity seems far less bothered by this turn of events, arms lazily folded over his chest and an amused smile on his face.]

Okay, but in the sitcoms, one of us would be giving birth as we speak. So I think we should probably stick to avoiding fictional tropes until we're certain we can pick which ones we want.

[flackjacket]

Thank you for replying, Lola. My world has reality TV, if it's any consolation.

[ but note how she isn't saying anything about knowing how to cook. ]

hello :>

[flackjacket]

[ those initials—no, that must be wishful thinking. ]

That would be great. I'm not sure I can achieve any meaningful result with a voluntary census like this, but I'm willing to try.

hi there (:

[signifies]

Should I bring scotch, or coffee?

i may have stalked you and followed you to this tdm i hope that's not too creepy

[flackjacket]

I'd say both, but I want to make progress on this, not drink away my confusion, so let's go with coffee.

how very lois like

[signifies]

[ He texts the location of a small coffee shop near the housing building. ]

How does this sound?

iv;

[morganknight]

I know it takes some getting used to. Can I help you understand?

[Morgan has some experience in getting people to adjust to more modern technology. Now seems like an excellent time to put it to use, even if some of the technology here is crazy by any standards.]

#method rp

[flackjacket]

I'll meet you there in ten. Hope you're not an axe murderer.

[signifies]

Hope you aren't either :)

Ask for Clark Kent. I'll be at one of the tables they have in the back.