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

[perfectteatime]

"Looking after me is hardly your responsibility. Besides, I took care of it well enough that it was not quite as harrowing as some reported. Mild discomfort at best." He pauses. There is so much to say, and so much he can't say. The logistics of everything is... it feels suffocating.

"Dimitri-" He begins, his voice wanting to catch in his throat. The feathers around his neck puff slightly. "While I would not wish this conundrum on you..."

"I'm glad you're with me." He lets a breath out slowly, feeling some of the pressure subside.

I have missed you."

[boarishboy]

Dimitri would argue that it is, in some sense, his responsibility as future king to Byleth as a citizen of his nation but... Perhaps he's getting ahead of himself though there. Nothing had been decided yet as to where the professor would go once he graduated though the boy did have his hope.

For as grateful as he is to see Byleth though, Dimitri admits a bit of surprise at the professor feeling the same. Perhaps he shouldn't be. They were friends at this point, after all, he wanted to believe. "Thank you, professor," he says, feeling a bit of warmth rise along his cheeks.

"I'm glad to be here too so long as it is with you. While a strange situation indeed, I am heartened to know that we'll have each other to make it through going forward."

[perfectteatime]

Damn it. He's still cute when he blushes. Byleth fights back the thought as he nods firmly.

"We must rely on each other here as well as our community, as there are plenty of dangers to face as well." Nice recovery. "And if it pleases you, you do not need to feel obligated to regard me as your teacher, as in my own world, I have not been for some time. You may regard me as your friend. Whatever you feel most comfortable with."

He knows this is a fool's errand. Dimitri still often called him Professor far past the point at which is teaching days were done.

[boarishboy]

"I can... try," he starts, a little uncertain already. Despite Byleth not being his professor here, no, it's going to be a difficult habit to break. Although uncertain when he was first hired on to teach them, it felt natural before long to refer to him as professor. It also shows his respect and admiration for the man.

"It may take time though," he admits. "As will adjusting to everything here, I imagine. Has no one else from home arrived here yet?"

[perfectteatime]

"That's all right. I will be here for you. As long as it takes." And longer. That remains unsaid. He rubs a soft paw along the side of his snout at the question. An idle, comforting motion.

"No. It's just us right now." Is it wrong for him to hope for more? Probably. His beloved students don't deserve to be in this situation. Dimitri least of all, but... well. There's that inkling of wishing anyways, despite his better sense.

"When we return to Town, I'll show you around and we'll get you settled in. Try to not worry yourself too much, yes?"

[boarishboy]

The heart wants what it does, Dimitri knows. Even despite himself and knowing how difficult it must be for Byleth to be here and away from home, he's glad to have the professor by his side all the same. He couldn't fault the other man for wishing for more of their comrades to show up eventually.

"I hadn't wanted to assume, but I feared that might be the case. We can only hope they're managing alright in our absence, or- They don't even notice our missing in the first place." Time moves differently, some have said, so who knows how it's operating back home.

"I appreciate that. I will do my best not to, but... We do know how I can over think."

[perfectteatime]

Byleth sighs, taking a moment to simply... appreciate the sound of his voice again.

Sothis help him, he's still down bad.

"Please do not hesitate to talk with me about whatever is on your mind. I know you bottle things up, and do not pretend that you don't. Here is not the place for secrets. Whatever it is, I will always listen without judgement."

Pining aside, he has a sense there are some things he will need to...nip in the bud, so to speak.

[boarishboy]

"Of course, Byleth," he answers, still trying to get used to using his name rather than 'professor.' It'll be an adjustment but he wants to try. He always did want to be friends rather than simply teacher and student. Or, in the case of his classmates, friends rather than prince and subjects.

"So far, it's just acclimating to things here and the changes that I've been told - and now see - are bound to happen eventually. I know you'll help me through some of that, naturally, but it's still all so... new and strange." And that? No one can really help with that, he thinks.

"And while I may worry of home, there really isn't anything to do about it now that I'm here." He may still worry, as he's prone to doing, but he does hope everyone will be alright.

[perfectteatime]

"It's natural to be unsure. Especially in the face of knowing what will happen. I know you are plenty strong though, and we will get through it together." He moves to lean back in his chair.

"Come, we should get you home sooner than later. I am far more interested in getting you settled than anything going on here."