Test Drive Meme #2

[diceofthegods]

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.

⁂ "The Rusty Nail" is a pub that serves primarily the local miners. Meanwhile, "The Bitten Coin" is the tavern that also serves as one of the local inns. If you’re looking for fancier fare go somewhere else you can find some slightly more stately restaurants toward the harbor.
⁂ "The Tossed Dagger" serves some delicious local fish dishes, and "Gordo’s Big Biscuits" is somewhat self-explanatory.
⁂ Most of the entertainment here is bar-fights and somewhat crude performances given the local’s preferences, but you can certainly find comfort at the inn if you’re not looking to mix with rowdy miners and fishermen.

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: character name | canon | current/new player )

⁂ 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 ⁂

Comments

[blue_ice]

"...Bakura?"

Well. That was unexpected. Kaiba made his way back over to him, gently setting a piece of scrap on his sled. He looked surprised, a little wary...but his hackles weren't entirely up. This (probably) wasn't the other guy.

"Did you just get the welcome spiel too?"

[destinedhost]

"Yes, that's me. It's nice to see you again, Kaiba."

Though for a moment, he tilted his head...

"Welcome spiel--Oh! Yes, I did."

He didn't seem particularly ruffled, though. If anything he seemed almost...excited.

Who would be excited about being in a strange place far away from home? With magic and no evident way to return home?

Ryou Bakura, that's who.

"It is a beautiful place. I only wish the others could see it, too."

[blue_ice]

"...You want to bring them here?"

Kaiba stared. Shouldn't he want to go home? He certainly did. Mokuba and duels and climate controlled rooms beckoned to him right now...

"The dragons are something to look at, I'll admit, but this doesn't exactly scream vacation."

[destinedhost]

"Well, it's nice to only be known as me for once."

So simple, like he was discussing the weather.

"I was hoping I could start building things and selling them for extra cash. Even in this world, people don't know what they have and they'll throw anything away. Did you know I've found perfectly good leather? And chipped arrowheads? Chipped! You can sharpen them and they'll be good as new! People are so wasteful..."

[blue_ice]

"Freed from the burdens of expectations..."

How interesting. Bakura was clearly a craftsman, and slotting right into this new world of opportunity.

"I might have to trade you some labor, if you're as skilled with the crafts as your keen eye suggests. If things happen with us like the others...we'll need some new items soon."

[destinedhost]

Ryou's eyes softened.

"Yes. And there are no memories to hold me back."

No ring. No expectations. No dolls sitting on his shelf staring at him. Hopefully no nightmares.

Just him and a world right out of the games he so loved.

"I'd be happy to help. What kinds of things would you be thinking of? Simple tools? Clothing?"

[blue_ice]

"When you phrase it like that..."

It gives Kaiba something to think about. He's been grumpy all day about not having money and no one knowing who he is, not having that layer of protection that comes from his old status...

But he's just another person. He'll have to prove himself again, but no one's looking. Probably. Anyway, back to the matter at hand.

"Once we start sprouting claws, wings, tails...a loincloth, right? And I'll probably want some sort of chestplate." How are the dragons surviving in this weather? He should probably ask them.

[destinedhost]

"Loincloths and breastplates...mmmm. I think robes could work well too."

Robes were loose and breezy, and could have slits sewn in for wings. Loincloths were rather...

"Loincloths are a bit revealing, don't you think? Would you prefer to wear something that covers more but has modifications to suit draconic anatomy?"

[blue_ice]

"You're right." Kaiba felt his face heat up a little. He'd thought maybe a little too much about this too quickly.

"Then I'm ready to make a deal. I'll do what I can to fix things for you---or go with you on quests."

[destinedhost]

"But loincloths are nice. They make an impression; the male equivalent to bikini armor, I guess. If you wore it, you'd likely have more charisma points than you already do!"

What? He has eyes. Seto Kaiba has always had a natural charisma that allowed people to be drawn to him.

Non-traditional, sure. But still charisma.

Though, on his offer...

"How about we do both?" Ryou asked. "Going alone in a strange place would be counterproductive, and having more people? That could help get us more materials."

Also? Being alone sucks.

But what was he supposed to do, say "I want to have a friend" to Seto "Friend is a dirty word" Kaiba?

[blue_ice]

Bikini armor? Him? Well. When he's right, he's right. Kaiba briefly pictures himself and what he might look like, but what's Bakura thinking? The same? It's shocking, really.

He never would've imagined this from his soft-spoken former classmate before. He feels something strange lift in his chest---time to shove that down and deal with it later. Preferably much later. He swallows hard and nods, offering a hand.

"I'll do it. We'll have better odds of survival together."

[destinedhost]

Oh, that was a huge weight off his shoulders! As much as he liked the idea of a second chance and new friends?

He liked people he knew, too.

...

Did this count as getting a new friend? Screw it, he was counting it.

"I'm so glad! I can also help with meals, too, if you like."

Cooking was an art with plenty of experimentation and there were so many magical ingredients! He'd test on himself first, obviously, but...!

Also something told him that Seto Kaiba was used to having a chef.

You know. As rich people do.

[blue_ice]

"I've cooked some things. I don't let people do everything for me."

Only certain things that were boring. A lot of things, actually. But they're allies in this bizarre new world now, so. He can bend a little.

"But you probably know more about some of the more...rustic recipes and techniques. I could learn from you."

[destinedhost]

Rustic, huh...?

Ryou chuckled and scratched his head. "I live alone, so I learned to cook for myself. But cooking outside is a different beast entirely. I think we'll be learning together."

With a little 'hm', he knelt to the ground, hand touching a bit of stray sediment as he...

...fished out a perfectly usable satchel, only with some tears in it.

"See? People can be so wasteful."

[blue_ice]

"Good catch," Kaiba agreed as he sifted through the sands on his own. It was mostly scrap metal, little nails, occasional broken planks...and he was thankful he'd taken the offered gloves, because there were glass pieces too. He delicately set them on the sled.

"Glass can be repurposed too, right?"

[destinedhost]

"It can," he said, "but I don't recommend it to most people. It can be easy to hurt yourself. I like to use colored glass to make mosaics or mini sword props if I have the tools on hand to grind it down."

He looked at the glass carefully, taking note of the color and shape.

"We'd also need to wash it thoroughly; the last thing we want is our hands falling off from getting some kind of disease!"

[blue_ice]

"Got it."

Kaiba nodded and went back to his sorting, carefully picking out metal. They'd need plenty of it for the kobolds, and some for Ryou's projects as well.

"What else might we need...maybe I can look into forging, we need to protect ourselves until our dragon powers come in."

[destinedhost]

"Forging... like blacksmithing?"

Ryou tapped his chin in thought as he picked up a piece of scrap metal.

"I think that's a good idea. You're an engineer, right? It's not the same as working with computers, but I think it'd suit you. You have the body for it, too. I'd fall over after a few swings of the hammer!"

Ryou. Just because you're a little lonely and want someone to talk to does not mean just saying what comes to mind.

Are you hearing yourself?!

"We could sell the excess weapons, too, eventually..."

[blue_ice]

"Right. With a few starting tools I can work my way up to what we need."

But wait---what was that? His face flushed a little as Ryou's words sunk in, but he'd definitely blame the cold for that one. He pulled his coat a little tighter around himself.

"But if we're assessing physical skills...your hands are better suited for fine art. We could collaborate on some builds."

[destinedhost]

His... hands?

You know, it was refreshing to hear someone compliment his hands versus his face. Or make assumptions about him based on looks.

No lingering stares, no making him feel like an object being ogled...

Just talking about logistics.

(Still, Kaiba looked nice in cold weather. The coat and color in his cheeks suited him.)

"I can make designs and help you create molds. Oh! And anything for the handle. Leather wrapping, you know."

What? Campaigns were most fun with props.

[blue_ice]

"I'd like that," Kaiba flashed Bakura a little smile as he carefully checked the sled. They'd collected a good deal of things.

"We should probably bring this back now---even my muscles have their limits," he admitted. With the tiniest hint of a smirk.

[destinedhost]

Ah, yes, his--

His muscles. His lean, corded muscle that reminded Ryou of a graceful warrior on the battlefield. The muscle that was very good at holding things and lifting things.

Something Ryou did not even know was in the same sentence as "Seto Kaiba" before recent TV appearances.

Seto Kaiba had abs. When did that man get abs?!

It definitely made an impression... enough to make Ryou's cheeks glow slightly pink.

It was normal to appreciate the male form. Don't look at him like that.

"Ah, right! This is about as much as I can carry, anyway. Not all of us can be blessed with your musculature."

He paused.

"Or afford a gym membership."

[blue_ice]

"I don't think I'm going to the gym any time soon," Kaiba snorted, grabbing the rope and starting to haul their sled. They had a good amount of items to turn in, and some to keep for arts and crafts. Not bad.

"But I'll get to work on smithing. Might be the workout I need to keep us safe."

[destinedhost]

"Ahahaha...I'll get started with the prepwork, then."

Ryou scratched his cheek; helping him put together a smithy would be a challenge, but he supposed those long hours reading entire books on smithy care for when Honda wanted to open one in their latest campaign would come in handy?

Granted, he didn't have the hands-on experience, but... they could start small. Get materials. He could...

"Use the leather for an apron... get heavy gloves...hammers..."

He'd also need...

"Few books...on medicinal plants..."

You know. For when Ryou hurt himself.

[blue_ice]

"You're going to work in medicine?" Kaiba lifted a brow and looked at Bakura curiously. It certainly seems to fit his personality.

"You're so well prepared...mm. Actually, have you picked a cottage yet?"