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

4. FRIENDR/NETWORK

[leadintheyoung]

I couldn't tell you how to make the thing accept your age. I was fortunate there were others around when I came upon it myself. How many winters have you seen, then?

[ Tech-stupid, meet Before-Tech-and-Tech-Stupid, who is probably sitting on top of a building somewhere, hurling rocks at vermin and kicking her feet. ]

I think the 'seeking' part is supposed to be people we're looking to meet, but I've seen the space used for all manner of things. What's a whisky and a triple bacon cheeseburger? And what do you mean by hunters?

[ Because these are the important questions that need to be asked. Seriously, what does he mean by hunters and what is a triple bacon cheeseburger? And did she get that last mark? ]

[wingedman]

I've noticed. But I got better things to do with my life.

[Also, if he's president of anybody's fan club, it's probably Steve's.]

Like getting out of this elevator, for one thing.

[wingedman]

Couple of tours in the Air Force might mean you're right. But we've got plenty of fighters around here - usually - and not enough people who're qualified to do what I do in civilian life.

[ And then you can almost hear the sudden scratch of a record player coming to a stop. There might not be much light in the tunnels, but from what he can see of her, she sure looks like the handful of black and white pictures he's seen.

(Awkward, because trying to remember that brings up the memory of her funeral, and it's pretty obvious that she's still a good six decades away from that.)

But Sam regains his verbal footing soon enough. ]

Steve said you were pretty, but he didn't say you were that good at fighting, too. Just Sam, please.

[girlexmachina]

She nods, unconcerned. "I understand they're dangerous, too, but I have a hard time taking them seriously. None of the ones I've seen shoot lightning, or as heavily armoured. I did take down some of the reptiles in the underground tunnels, so that way is a little safer."

It's not really said as a way of bragging. It's more along the lines of reassurance that something, at least, has been done about them.

Mary Crawley | Downton Abbey

[thequitecontrary]

ii. into the depths

[The entire time that Mary walks around with her first aid kit, she can't help but think of how much better suited to this her sister Sybil would have been.

With monsters attacking the city, Mary found herself a bit at a loss as to how to react. Of course, her instinct was to buckle down and hide, which she did for most of the actual attack. Now that it's over, she is trying to find a way to make herself useful. While she's clever, she's not exactly a scientific genius. Thus she has settled on nursing, something that she does not know a lot about. Sybil had served as a nurse during the war and Mary wishes that she had paid more attention.

She moves around in the tunnel with her box containing the typical things including bandages and a cleaning agent. Anyone who is severely injured will have to go to someone else, but minor cuts and temporary patch jobs can be taken care of by her. Mary is trying not to look distasteful at all of the blood and dirt that greets her. She's glad her skirt doesn't reach all the way to the floor though.

Mary puts on the best smile that she can as she approaches a person who seems to be in need of some aid.]

Hello. Is there any way that I may help you?


iii. trapped in a...

[When the elevator stops between floors and the lights go out, Mary feels her heart sink. Damn. She knew that she never should have gotten into this thing with the rolling blackouts still going through the city. She moves quickly to the control panel, using the dim emergency lights in the ceiling as a guide. Mashing the buttons does nothing. Mary heaves a sigh.] Unbelievable. [She presses the emergency button and turns to her companion in the elevator. They might be in each other's company for a long time.]

We ought to have known better than to use this.


v. wildcard

[Throw something at her if you have an idea.]

/gets back to this like a billion years later orz

[trashmammal]

Aren't you supposed to help them move on or something? I thought that was like priority number one if you can see dead people. Get all their earthly affairs in order and stuff.

[She's not even sure if Letha's dead people actually have anywhere to move on to. But there's gotta be more to it than that.]

no sweat :V

[burntbridges]

Yes, that is part of it... but most of the dead people I knew in my world were already ready to die when it came to them.

[Or they were servants who dreaded the day they'd lose their ability to refuse anything a necromancer wanted them to do, but while she makes a very big show of caring about them she. Doesn't. At all.]

[trashmammal]

[That's... a little disappointing, honestly. Like yea, people going out peacefully is way better on the whole, but it's not as exciting.]

Wouldn't it drive you crazy, though? You sit around all day and every once in a while one person might visit you. Sounds like the worst retirement home ever.

[burntbridges]

[Well, Mae's clearly hit a nerve. Letha's expression goes from bright and open to somber and reserved, almost immediately.]

It does drive you crazy... I know firsthand how painful it can be to die without anyone to keep you company. That's why I don't want anyone to be lost out beyond the quarantine if I can help it.

[i_had_faith]

Quite.

[That's not her voice of approval. But it is an unarguable point.]

Well, another adventure we're on, it looks like. Is it wrong I almost wish for a simple enemy again?

[You knew who to trust during the war. At least Howard is still squarely in that trusted category.]

[trashmammal]

And that's why you need the bones. For your bone collection.

[Okay this conversation took A Turn somewhere and she is not comfortable with it at all. Better reorient before she says something really stupid. What were they even supposed to be talking about again?]

Soooooo ghost stories! That's what we're here for, right? I dunno if I can do any long ones off the top of my head, but I heard some pretty good shorties recently if you want me to share.

[burntbridges]

[There's a little pause as she recalibrates and remembers what the point of her video communication had been...]

I'd like to hear anything you have to offer - everything is so different in other worlds, and I do love thinking about it all.

Elizabeth of York • The White Queen/Princess

[yorkist]

i ▬ a call to arms
( She is not present because she can fight, or even possesses the will to. By God's grace, she should be ensconced in a palace in Portugal now, mayhap. But God has not favoured her with any grace in years, and there are people here whom can benefit from defensive measures as greatly as offensive ones. Elizabeth has swallowed her dislike and fear of her own power, and breathes deeply, a dense mist coiling around her when she next exhales.

The fog crawls forward, cloaking herself as well as the person at her side from the creatures further down the tunnel. Glancing over at them with a small smile, she nods once. )

I leave the rest in your capable hands.


iii ▬ trapped in a...
( The strange metal carriage has ceased to move; its doors refuse to open, and slowly, a sense of panic rises in her chest. Small, tightly-enclosed spaces and she have never made fond bedfellows. The hair is already beginning to stand up on end at the nape of her neck, and she swallows past the knot forming in her throat. )

This is why I vastly prefer horses. ( The humour is wry, but it is also the only thing distracting her from giving into panic--and displaying weakness. )


iv ▬ friendr?

FRIENDR

Elizabeth of York

AGE: 19
INTERESTED IN: Any.
SEEKING: Friendship, thank-you.
ABOUT ME: I was born a Princess of England, in the most splendid court in all Christendom. My family has a tendency to devour itself like a starving animal. Would that I could have naught to do with any of that nonsense any further. Apparently if you believe legend and gossip, we are related distantly to a river goddess or fairy twice over.

I have been well-educated in linguistics, history and arithmetic. Hunting, dancing and music are all pursuits I vastly enjoy, though none so much as reading.

Hounds are always more engaging than cats; apparently that is a great to-do? Well, such is my stance on the matter.

I enjoy lively conversation. Please, I welcome either lively debate and mindless chatter both.

but it's to show he's his number one fan!

[inebriety]

[And Tony is just going to watch Steve's rippling muscles as he strains to open the doors. It would have been better if he was wearing something more skin tight, but still...

It's a really great view.

Anthony pads back to him to see what holds his attention so thoroughly and Tony covers the boy's eyes to protect his innocence.]

Not until you're older.

Cloud Strife | FFVII (crisis core)

[backwatertrooper]

I

Ducking under a slash and finally getting a chance to fire, he took one more step to the left to ensure he wasn't going to accidentally shoot anyone else, and took the opportunity. And maybe it was a little petty to grimace at the splash of water that the collapsing monster left behind and spattered him up to his knees - it looked okay, and it was supposedly their water supply, but... underground tunnels read more like sewers to him.

Shaking away that thought he looked around, but the ambush seemed to be dealt with, so instead he turned to whoever he'd ended up next to when they'd gotten jumped and the small group had spread out. If they were down here, they'd know what they were doing, but injuries could happen... and while he certainly didn't know more than basic first aid or had access to any materia (that he hadn't ever gotten to use yet, anyway), didn't mean he couldn't do something if it was needed.

"You okay?"

III

[It's probably pretty typical that right when he's about to go through the doors, someone pretty close behind him, there's a soft, humming click, the lights die, and... the doors don't open. Cloud reacts just a little too late to avoid walking into them, flushing in embarrassment and swallowing a grunt.

Twisting away to attempt to make sure whoever it is behind him doesn't have to walk into him, he shakes his head and gives the unresponsive doors a narrow look. Of course they don't deign to open..]

v
[Or hit me with whatever! I'll match format.]

[inebriety]

[Hm, should he expect retribution later?]

Does this offer come with any strings attached? It seems too kind for someone of your calibre.

i

[backwatertrooper]

[Frowning at the comment, Cloud casts an angled glance upwards through his bangs and almost mutters something about that he was pretty sure he was being quiet. Because while he's certainly no Turk and sloshing around in ankle-deep water doesn't make it easy to be silent, he hadn't been talking either. But he bites down on it - one, this isn't Zack, and two, this guy moves like one of his commanding officers. And while he's not Cloud's... So he bites down on the comment, gripping his rifle a little more firmly, and might have hunched up a little, for a second.

But he knows better than to do that in a combat situation and relaxes again, wishing he had his helmet - at least it has filters for the bad sort of lighting found in he tunnels they've been walking through. So he just nods and almost doesn't say anything, but realises they haven't actually... talked about how they're dealing with the monsters when they find them. It takes a few more steps before he speaks up, however, voice soft.]

... How, did you want to do this?

iv

[backwatertrooper]

Out on a mission. About to pick up my helmet, and then I was just... here.

[More or less. He'd been feeling unhappy and out of place and frustrated about his failures. Fearing what his mother would say - despite knowing that all she'd be would be happy he was all right and there, and proud of what he's done so far. Even if that isn't enough, isn't at all anywhere near what he wants to be.]

Don't know about the monsters... got here a few days ago.

Oh, tony.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve hears Tony talking, but he's concentrating on getting them out of the elevator so he doesn't ask who it is to. When he finally does force the heavy doors apart with a creaking metal groan, he turns back and offers the man his hand.]

Come on. We're leaving.

[usandthedead]

[ Of course, her explanation, while still pretty damn confusing, only solidifies his reaction. Why raise something that could potentially kill so many people? It makes absolutely zero sense to him. He's from a place where exactly that thing happened, only because of a virus, probably man-made. Science.

It only solidifies the fact that he'd done the right thing - saving not only her, but the entirety of Quarantine, from the inevitable when people dabble in things they shouldn't.

Her anger isn't lost on him though. Clearly they're coming from two different ends of the spectrum and he knows that this place brings in every kind from every place imaginable. With the immediate threat dispatched, yes, he can see that.

He's about to explain his side of things and maybe ask a few questions, when she goes very, very low and calls him a 'pathetic little man'. His dad once told him, before he was killed by one of the very things she brought to life, that people who spew out words in anger are hiding other insecurities. That's how he sees her now.

Instead of saying anything, he pauses, jaw flexing around any words he might have said but won't because you just don't talk to people that way without good reason. He nods as if to say 'you're welcome' for any number of things, and turns to walk off.

Only then something occurs to him. He pauses, turns back to look at her. His voice is calm and deliberate. ] I know what those things are capable of. My son's here. You put him in danger by doin' what you did. I'm not okay with that. You can be angry all you want, but I'd do it again. Those things have killed too many already, too much of a risk to bargain on one person's ability to - control them, by lettin' them live, if you can call it that.

[advanced]

[So many things can go wrong.

Luckily for Howard, he has an expert fighter on his side, and he does know how to use the many guns strapped to his body in intimate detail. Around the corner skitter several spider-looking creatures, roughly the size of full-grown dalmatian dogs with clicking mandibles.]

Stay behind me.

[He fires off three shots, killing all three he aims at, but more are still coming.]

[greatcleavage]

[Despite the incongruity of it all and the serious possibility of frostbite, the question makes Roy chuckle.] Absolutely no disrespect to your spell offered or intended, but it'll take more than that to slow me down.

[As her look-over evinces. Roy bears numerous scratches, scrapes, and bruises from his battles with the monsters down here, though none of them is life-threatening in the least. Just a lot of accumulated tiny wounds.]

[advanced]

[He can't hear anyone yet, but that doesn't mean that nobody is coming. They've only been trapped all of thirty seconds and he's already itching to get out fairly desperately.]

Yeah.

[No, he's not.]

We have to get out of here.

[morganknight]

"And I missed seeing that," Morgan said, pretending to more dismay than he really felt. "There's be worse to come out there, though, I'm sure. A place like this doesn't get easier or saner as time goes on, not without a lot of hard work from people like us."

[burntbridges]

[She bristles as he turns back, as if he's got the higher ground and any reason to lecture her. Part of her is itching to just raise the risen again, forget the consequences, or even just pull out her sword or the pair of scissors in her pocket and use those. But... maybe being married and getting pregnant had some level of mellowing effect on her, because she doesn't go with her first instinct. She just keeps arguing.]

My child is here too, and I'm tell you neither of them are in danger if you don't shoot at me while I'm doing it! I've been training since I was twelve and they've never lost control! You put your son in danger by raising a gun to people when you don't give them a single chance to explain themselves!

[And once again the corpse is speaking to her, so if Rick isn't under the impression that she's crazy the fact that she's now briskly addressing the corpse will probably be the bump.]

Let me speak for a second- this man broke your skull open, I'll have to mend it when I get you back into the quarantine. No, it's fine. I said it's fine, I've done it before. Or... Mary has but I watched her, and it's not hard. Now will you let me talk to him? I can explain more later.

[And then she turns to Rick, as if this is still all his fault.]

Look at that, you scared him too.