childrenofbajablast | Test Drive Meme #2

Entry tags:

!mod post,
!tdm

Test Drive Meme #2

SEASONS GREETINGS

On the morning of the first of the year, a notification message pops up on everyone’s Rocky-Talkies no matter if they just arrived or are longer-established offworlders. Small minor-illusion fireworks accompany the ping which features Charlie smiling and waving. Alongside him are both Slayd and Dimitri (where Dimitri is not smiling, but what can you expect?)

Without further ado, Charlie begins to speak: "Happy Winter Solstice and beginning of a new year! We have some fantastic news for you! The town of Hast has opened its arms to us in welcome thanks to your good work in the area. Not only that, but we have some very special visitors in their harbor. You will get to meet one of the legendary heroes that saved this world! Hoshiko!"

At her mention, an image of a... wanted poster mugshot pops up with a brunette woman holding up two fingers and sticking her tongue out. "Wait, no, sorry- Not that one!" Charlie corrects, the profile changing to a more recent photograph of the woman. Here, her hair is longer and she holds herself a bit more maturely.

"She'll be accompanied by a group of friendly kobolds who assisted in that journey as well. Hoshiko will be putting on a lovely firework display for everyone as a New Year’s celebration. The kobolds, meanwhile, are avid traders. They travel all around the seas to the north and have collected plenty of interesting items to trade. They have sent word that they are interested in any scrap metal you can find! Thankfully, the beaches near Hast are plentiful in scrap metal to collect from previous mining ventures there. You will also be doing the people of Hast a favor by cleaning up their beaches.

That said, please take care and wear gloves if you plan to collect the scrap! I will make sure there are plenty available in our shop for the taking. I have also restocked it with more warm winter clothes!" Though they are basic, it might be nice to accessorize a little. "Be on your best behavior to our hosts in Hast if you plan to visit, and please go with our warmest wishes besides! Hoshiko will make sure you're safe!"

The next part is said lower since Charlie seems to think the recording has ended before it actually did: "She promised she would, at least."

Hast To Be

The town of Hast is a cascade of buildings that trace down the large Bail Mountain and spill out into the harbor below. Hast is a busy and active mining town. Several mine entrances can be seen dotting the mountainside. Here, they mine for precious metals and useful minerals that are used throughout the continent for a multitude of purposes.

You are welcome to explore the mines at your own risk! You are warned that outside of the normal risks of being in a mine, there are some monsters that inhabit the older mines that are no longer in use. The town is not liable for anything that happens to someone foolish enough to enter unprepared.

The people here are friendly, albeit seemingly always on the move. They appear too busy to even really worry about newcomers. There are plenty of small shops where you can find raw minerals and metals for sale as well as products that are refined from such materials. Tools, more sturdy weapons, and useful gear are some things that may catch your eye here!

Charlie has afforded everyone 10 gold pieces to spend here. We will leave what you buy and how much it costs up to the player, on the honor system that you don’t go hog-wild. Generally, one gold piece = 100 modern-day American dollars for reference. (Please don’t over-worry about what-costs what, we trust you to use your best judgement!)

Aside from material goods, you can also enjoy one of the few pubs or eateries that exist around the town.

Enjoy your time!

Kobold Chaos

Rusty Bucket Bay by Grant Kirkhope

1:07 / 3:P57

▶︎

Click here to listen.

Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others.

code

The kobolds mentioned are plentifully packed in a barely-seaworthy hunk of metal ship that serves as their maritime clown-car. It is being tugged along by a far more... ship-looking ship. These creatures are hyperactive, will yip your ears off about nothing, and are all too excited to receive any metal or 'shiny bits' and will parade around with it like little peacocks proudly. That said, they are friendly (even if somewhat annoying or tiring for lengths of time).

If asked, they will happily tell you that the scrap is not only to repair their ship but also to build an effigy to their god: the "Arsenal Dragon." When pressed on this, they will say their god is indeed a very real person. He was another one of the great heroes that saved the land! He had ascended to divinity at the end of his journey and is currently helping to rebuild the otherwise desolate north. They will then proceed to gush about how cool and amazing and strong and great he is.

Did they mention great? And strong? And cool? Oh, and amazing!

There are two kobolds running an official trade-in booth hastily constructed on the beach. They have (barely legible) nametags.

"Mung", reads the tag in front of a red and cream kobold with gold horns. "Liberius", meanwhile, is a squat, white creature with thick glasses that looks like he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown at all times.

You can trade scrap metal and they will give you a random magical-or-interesting item of equal value. While can gather as much scrap as you wish, but please keep it to one trade-in per character. Everyone that helps out can report so to Mung and Liberius here and receive - in addition to their item - a bit of reputation as well as five (5) bond points to use for activity rewards.

LIGHT 'EM UP

Once the sun begins to set, offworlders are encouraged to head down to the harbor for a fireworks show on the water as promised. They are gifted sparklers of whatever color they choose and given the option to buy larger fireworks of their own if so desired. It can be noted that any purchased with the gold provided by Charlie have a unique logo branding on them that is separate from the town of Hast. This is a personal investment, it seems, versus helping the town proper.

If questioned, the proprietor herself - Hoshiko - will make an appearance. She wears a long, furred cloak that covers most of her body from view and shields her from the cold. "Look, a lady has to make money in this world somehow," is all she’ll say with a cheeky sort of smile. However, anyone that comes across her is free to make a perception check to notice that they have less gold than before.

If successful (a roll of 12 or higher), Hoshiko will congratulate them on their quick catch and return the gold then. If unsuccessful, they’ll find (most of) the gold returned and a note at the end of the night that simply reads: "Thanks! Here’s your change."

Other than the brief encounter, the captain seems mostly preoccupied with making a magnificent display of pyrotechnics. They launch from her ship and dance across the sky for quite some time before a large finale. Any stray sparks or potential fire hazards are to be expected, whether from her own show or careless handling of other fireworks, but thankfully they have a plan for that too.

A large, white dragon will put out any fires with a powerful blast of frost breath. Sorry if you get caught in the chill! It doesn't seem too concerned with that so much as stamping out any flames before they can spread. "Find someone to warm you up!" it will laugh (in a perhaps familiar voice) before moving on.

Notes

⁂ Hello and happy new year! Welcome to Children of Bahamut's second test drive meme! If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback then feel free to ask here.

⁂ We have a top-level directory for folks this test drive for ease of finding ones to tag into! We also ask that you please mention though if you are a current or new player in your top-level.

Example header

⁂ Additionally, we have a separate top-level for rockstar profiles for people to post if they want to participate in an easier icebreaker texting option!

⁂ A reminder that TDM threads can be used for activity rewards even if the other person does not end up claiming and joining the game!

⁂ Full Navigation ⁂

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A - Accessorize

The knowledge that they've done well enough to have nearby towns accepting their presence is welcome news, and Ignis of course is glad to go out to the town itself just to get an eye for how the rest of the world works. He would be doing this regardless... but that the rest of his household is excited and interested is only an even greater reason to go.

It is a very fascinating town over all; he wastes no time in getting a good look at its whole layout. Clearly a town for miners, considering the overall culture that any person can spot at a glance, but it certainly has a great much more than Town possesses at current.

Especially in terms of wares. Due to its nature as a still blossoming town with off-worlders and no connection to the rest of the land, it is rather stuck in the basics so far. Clothes to keep you as covered as best and able as is possible, food to last through the winter, and everyone is mostly preoccupied with firewood and making sure the entire place is habitable before anything else too much. So to be able to find stalls and stores just filled with various other things that a person can enjoy...

Well, maybe he's enjoying himself!

Certainly, for those wandering the streets of the more storefront areas, they may be able to sense he's in some sort of good mood where he stands at a jewelry or accessory stall of some sort. A couple of things have clearly been pucked out of place to be set there in front of him, such as a small case made out of walnut for scent bottles, and a chatelaine to be hooked to one's belt.

What seems to have his current attention, however, is an elegantly made metal pipe - long and intricate in the design about it.

Anyone coming over to browse the stall's wares as well will earn a simple nod, and a slight inclination of the pipe.

"Do you know much about smoking, perchance?"

B - Kobolds

The inclination to doing trade and getting items appeals of course in regards to the kobolds as well. Ignis had thought it be an interesting and simple task to accomplish, so of course he had gone to collect some scrap metal and then bring it to the kobolds.

There is a problem that he had not considered.

Kobolds like shiny things. With his claws, and some of the feathers he's showing... Ignis is also very shiny in ways he can't hide with a nice cloak. And so, of course, the kobolds had started up bothering him with even more energy than normal. Which was tiring, on the lowest level, and a bit invasive with some of the more bold ones who dared to touch him (even if most would think a pat not too bothersome).

And so that's why they're here now: with Ignis having pinned one of the squirmy excitable little things beneath one of his large claws.

You would think this to be cause for distress from either the kobold or any viewers, but the latter need not worry. Ignis raises his foot up after a moment, and the kobold scurries off with some excited yipping and gabbering that he's really just ignoring... because another kobold soon darts over to Ignis like the world's most excited small dog. He eyes them carefully before striking out again with his foot, pinning yet another kobold.

Considering the dead eyed look in his expression, one might guess that he has been at this for some time.

Whether they interfere or not, however, someone approaching is reason enough for him to look up. "Ah, I apologize - was I in your way for the scrap stall?"

C - Wildcard

[I'm up for any other ideas, even focused on other characters, just let me know if you have an idea in mind! Ignis is already in the game, but I'm more than happy to play around with other people in the setting, thus the top level!]

"No, but you look preoccupied."

This young man is nothing if not the human embodiment of a grumpy beanpole. His face is fixed in a mild (for his standards) frown as he observes the kobolds desperately grabbing at the dragon-person in front of him.

Were they his kids? Was this a robbery? What a bizarre place, and he'd barely been here an hour.

"Is this a game, or...a problem?"

Edited 2025-01-14 23:56 (UTC)

"Both, I suppose," Ignis says, with the sort of mild manner of someone running on overtime and wishing they could clock out already, except there's still someone lingering around in the store despite it being five minutes after closing. He lets the little kobold get excited and flail a bit before releasing them, to go work off some of that frantic energy they all seem to possess.

"However, in my case, they're quite a bit more bothersome if I try to otherwise ignore them. Giving them a bit of attention is preferable." And more diplomatic, really.

Still, a quick glance at his grump companion, and it's clear to see his situation. "I take it you have just arrived yourself?"

"Mmm," he confirmed. "I stick out like a sore thumb, huh..."

He'd match the aesthetic in time, probably. Eventually.

"Were you looking for scrap, then?"

"Most people end up that way sooner than later, with the circumstances being what they are." If one isn't standing out because of the clothes they brought in with them, well, they'll stand out in a month or two because they've grown horns, scales, all the works. Ignis supposes it doesn't matter. At this point, everyone knows about the peculiar circumstances at work here.

It could be worse.

Excitable kobolds bothering him is the least problematic way this could all go.

Although distantly related to kobolds... "Ah, indeed. It seems they may have interesting things to trade in exchange for it all, so I thought it was an avenue worth exploring for a simple bit of effort." A slight incline of his head to the other. "Have you found some on your own, then, or... Would you perhaps care for a temporary partner in the matter?"

"Bracing myself for the inevitable," Kaiba nodded. Was it odd to admit some excitement about becoming a dragon? Most likely. So he'd keep that to himself.

But he needed to survive to get to that point, and that meant cooperation, much as he was usually loath to admit it.

"You know the lay of the land better than I do. I'd appreciate the assistance."

Certainly, if he knew, Ignis would judge him, but he's just one person, and prone to judging many.

For now, oblivious as he is, there's nothing but simple politeness in the slight bow of his head. "Of course. Fortunately, it is hardly an arduous task. Charlie is correct in that the resources seem fairly common on the shores." They're practically doing some good community service here.

Ignis does hope that it will work out for them in the end; they need all the good-will they can get. ~~Especially after the fruit lizard nonsense.~~ After patiently pushing away another jabbering kobold, Ignis steps forward to be by Seto's side.

"Have you been to the beaches here often, or done much exploring?" It will give him a good idea on where to start.

"Not yet," Kaiba admits, shrugging his shoulders. "I just looked around town and found a few potential cottages to live in."

There was so much to do, he'd take it step by step.

"We'll need something to haul scrap. Maybe a sled or a wheelbarrow. Do we have any of those?"

"The Town where Charlie resides has the most empty lots available where no one will care if you take a house up... but I admit that there are likely benefits to living in Hast as well," Ignis admits. For example, the presence of a port, and a thriving mining community.

But Town - poorly named as it may be - has advantages of its own as well.

Well, they will get to that when they get to it. For now... "I believe I saw a few wheelbarrows that the kobolds brought with them aboard their ship. No doubt it was for this exact sort of endeavor. I can fetch it, if you would not care to." It makes no difference to Ignis really.

"I'll come with you," Kaiba offered immediately. "Easier to push two."

He'd have to make himself useful if he wanted to earn a place here---that was always on his mind.

If nothing else, it makes a good impression on Ignis, and he nods sharply. "Very well. Then, this way."

Of course, this does admittedly mean having to dive right into the fray of excitable kobolds, but, well... They don't mean any harm, or even necessarily to be annoying. It's like dealing with small excitable dogs who are in a new place for the first time ever. Ignis deals with them patiently, trying to keep his tail away from grasping admiring little hands, and goes over to where the stall has been set up.

It's a trivial matter to inquire about a cart or wheelbarrow of some sort for them to use... and something else as well. A pair of gloves that Ignis offers to Kaiba, from within the wheelbarrow.

"Gloves do not do much for me nowadays-" For fairly obvious, clawed reasons. "-but I thought perhaps you might wish to use them. Scrap can be somewhat troublesome, depending on the state it's in." And he's not sure if this world has discovered tetanus shots.

Kaiba nods his thanks and slips on the gloves, pushing ahead with the wheelbarrow. He's ready to pluck up whatever we can.

"I can see how that would be helpful in this case," he sighed. "I don't want to be too intrusive...but since I'm apparently going to go through this transformation too, I'm wondering. Did you get stronger, or sharper senses, or anything like that?"

Since Kaiba has the wheelbarrow, Ignis accompanies it to the side, and keeps his gaze focused out towards the beach as they approach it. If nothing else, he's sure of his sharp eyes (so long as he has his glasses). They'll find more than enough scrap.

Of course, that does leave them with some time inbetween... and he's not wholly surprised to hear some questions about the process they're all forced to go through. Ignis hums, thinking carefully.

"Personally, I have noted some differences, yes. It's likely easy enough to surmise, but one's sense of touch certainly becomes different when scales replace soft skin, but that does come with its own advantages. And I do believe I have come somewhat stronger, due to the changes in my legs." A small huff. "The individual I'm with is insistent that I should be able to glide quite well now - if not now than rather soon. Apparently the strength in my legs will help with this endeavor."

"Mm. Gliding, now that's interesting." Kaiba's doing his best to tamp down on his interest. It's phrased as neutrally as he can manage. He presses onward through the sand, dutifully keeping an eye out for interesting scrap.

"Do you think we'll be able to fly, or are the hybrid bodies not built for that?"

Unfortunately, Ignis is clocking a little bit of interest in this idea. Fortunately, he has enough manners to not bring it up. He does have to admit that there is something interesting to the idea, even if his personal actual lived experiences have been... frustrating.

But that's been him. He knows well enough that everyone's experiences and views are quite varying. So he keeps quiet.

"According to an individual residing in Town by the name of Dimitri, we should be able to begin proper flight soon enough," he confirms, perking up slightly as he spots a bit of shine in the sand. Heading over to it, he carefully starts to tug some metal from the sands. "However, at this stage, our wings are not fully developed yet... and I imagine learning to fly is a separate matter."

Kaiba pushes the wheelbarrow into place, crouching to help out with excavating whatever it was. Usefulness was required if he wanted to stay...

"Right. It's not the kind of thing that's easy to build training facilities for...unless I start fluffing haystacks and wheeling them out to a field or something."

He'd prefer drones and harnesses and actual insulation, but...this wasn't modern times.

The help is certainly appreciated. Ignis isn't entirely sure what this scrap used to be once upon a time - definitely a part of a larger structure - but it's good enough and fits into the wheelbarrow.

"Well, it isn't something I imagine Dimitri would be opposed to - the gentleman who would likely know most about this, as he also offered to teach us how to fight with our changes taken into consideration. If you would like, I can give you directions to where he resides back in Town. I'm unsure if he came to Hast for the visit..."

"I'll do it. Better that we're prepared to evade or defend if necessary."

He wasn't the type to run away from problems, no...he'd rather bury them with money. But that was no longer an option. So he'd have to work through it. That meant helping with scrap too, so he dusted off a smaller piece of metal and loaded it into the wheelbarrow.

"Much as I'd prefer to be a lone survivalist...huh. Even I know that's delusional. I have to join the group at least somewhat."

"Ha." There's just a slightly dry curl of his lips in a smirk. "The idea of a lone survivalist is, quite frankly, far more difficult than people would think... and usually far less comfortable. So indeed, I recommend staying connected with Town for a good while longer, although it's ultimately your choice."

And that's ultimately not Ignis's problem.

"I hope I do not sound too dismissive," Ignis says as they return to the wheelbarrow. "However, a boyfriend of mine is quite learned in the outdoors, you see, and so I have picked up some knowledge from him."

Enough to learn that completely surviving off the grid is always going to be rather tricky. There's a reason that humans are social animals at their cores; it's just far easier that way. One man on his own can't do everything completely. In a town, at least one can outsource some of their difficulties - farmers who have crops, ranchers with their beasts, blacksmiths who can make important objects.

That way, well... It makes it a little easier for them to have some free time. And with that free time, hopefully they can figure out the mysteries of this place.

Now that they've made friends, or at least allies, of some of the surrounding towns, Nephenee wastes no time going off to explore, much to Persi's delight. To be fair, it has much less to do with Persi wanting to explore and more to do with her own spirit wanting to explore more...although it does help with the dragon's yelling.

Garbed in her now-common blue cloak, some slightly warm clothes - Now that the temperature swings were settling down, she finds herself even less bothered by the cold - and her lance and shield on her back, she's just started perusing the stalls when she spots Ignis and the items near him, and tries to quietly approach to look at things... he's clearly heard her, though, his voice makes her jump a little. So much for stealth! "Oh! Hiya, Ignis."

After a moment, his question hits, and it gives her pause, covered head tilting as she wonders, the fabric poking out at some odd angles due to the horns underneath. How much does she remember...

"...Ah've never done it, myself, but my Pa did, an' his Pa an' my uncles do...Though, their pipes ain't near as nice...What exactly ya wantin' to know?"

{"I remember smoking in the form of a human or elf, sometimes!"} Persi pipes up. Huh, maybe their knowledge base just grew... "'Pparently Persi smoked some, too..."

"Nephenee." The little bit of surprised is met with a far more calm response, but then, that seems to fit the mild-mannered young man from the few encounters they've had together in passing.

(She can learn he has too much passion for his own good later.)

For now, he's far more interested in what she has to say, and he nods along. An older relative having the habit isn't wholly surprising. While he doesn't recall it being regular in Insomnia, there was nonetheless the impression of it being an old habit for some seniors. That matches the demographic. Not to mention, well. The era, possibly.

"The individual that is attached to me... Well, it seems he did it quite often himself, although not in the average way." He rubs his thumb over the length of it. "According to him, it was a way to help vent some of his breath in a more controlled fashion, and he thought it might assist me as well."

And he admits there is some worth to the idea, especially if his tension has it building up in an unhealthy manner.

"However, I've never owned a pipe, and don't quite know the proper care to it."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Test Drive Meme #2

Ignis Scientia ➺ Final Fantasy 15 (Brotherhood) ➺ Current Player

B

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

A

no subject