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childrenofbajablast2025-07-01 07:56 am
diceofthegods) wrote in childrenofbajablast2025-07-01 07:56 am
TEST DRIVE MEME #4
Arrival
Broken Palace by Jonathan Eng
0:07 / 1:13
▶︎
During 2014 Jonathan Eng composed the soundtrack for interactive narrative experience The Sailor’s Dream, consisting of a mix of instrumental tracks and a seven-part musical story told in folk song-form.
Like all who come through the summoning circle, your arrival is heralded by a dream. Waking up is a dizzying, disorienting thing... and possibly made worse by the fact that you aren't alone.
Right after you appear, so does someone else. If you're lucky*, they'll simply blink into existence by your side. If you're not, there's a chance they spawned below or above you. That's one way to make a memorable first impression. Best untangle yourselves and get things figured out.
If you're extremely unlucky*, instead of another person being brought through the summoning circle, it's a monster. The creature buzzes menacingly and immediately darts at any potential fresh blood it can.
Some welcome this is. If you aren't the fighting type, hopefully someone nearby is. Eventually, one of the local Town guards will slay the monster before it - and you - cause too much trouble or lose too much blood.
Right after you appear, so does someone else. If you're lucky*, they'll simply blink into existence by your side. If you're not, there's a chance they spawned below or above you. That's one way to make a memorable first impression. Best untangle yourselves and get things figured out.
If you're extremely unlucky*, instead of another person being brought through the summoning circle, it's a monster. The creature buzzes menacingly and immediately darts at any potential fresh blood it can.
Some welcome this is. If you aren't the fighting type, hopefully someone nearby is. Eventually, one of the local Town guards will slay the monster before it - and you - cause too much trouble or lose too much blood.
SINK OR SWIM
Since several people in Town by now are fully-fledged dragons, Dimitri and Hoshiko have teamed up to provide some training drills for those wanting to hone their skills. Although meant for more veteran dragons, newcomers are also welcome to observe and learn what they might be able to do! They may even be paired up with a more established offworlder of the same dragon type as a mentor.
These drills will be around the new(er) formed lake thanks to a previous offworlder's efforts. It provides the perfect place to see what someone's breath weapon can do in different environments as well as help people cool off if they need to. Either way, don't expect your trainers to go easy on you. While not an exhaustive list, the training drills include...
Although this is supposed to be super serious training time, no one is stopping you from having a bit of fun too. The climbing structures are fun to jump off into the water. Those ropes dangling over the edge from thick tree branches make a great swing to catapult you far into the lake. Sometimes, some play is necessary even in the midst of 'work.'
These drills will be around the new(er) formed lake thanks to a previous offworlder's efforts. It provides the perfect place to see what someone's breath weapon can do in different environments as well as help people cool off if they need to. Either way, don't expect your trainers to go easy on you. While not an exhaustive list, the training drills include...
- ⁂ Underwater Breath Attacks - No matter the situation, a dragon needs to be able to utilize their breath weapon accordingly. Sections of the lake have been sectioned off for different dragon types to practice this. See how poison or acid spreads, learn how to electrocute or freeze enemies, or even boil the water with a bit of concentrated fire. No aquatic animals will be harmed, but they can't guarantee you'll come out unscathed if you happen to fall in.
⁂ Marksmanship - As the resident ranged shooter expert, Hoshiko will be testing people's accuracy with their breath weapons. She'll have a variety of targets around the lake set up to hit the bullseye of if you can. The most difficult though will be the moving target that's strapped to herself. For a large dragon, she moves surprisingly fast and will duck in and out of the water as well to provide an appropriate challenge.
⁂ Conjuration Classes - Taking this opportunity, Ardyn Izunia (
fatedfinality) is offering his services in his growing conjuration skills. Does he have permission? Who knows! Probably not! Does he care? Also no! Learn the first level spell/cantrip 'Find Familiar' and summon your own fun little daemon friend! They will not infect anyone, thankfully, but if summoned incorrectly they can harm the summoner or those nearby. All part of the training, he'll say, and let people handle it as they're meant to.⁂ Staying Vigilant - While parts of the lake are sectioned off, this one is clear about not entering. A painted sign reads: "Beware of kelpies." It might be easy to presume this is also part of the training drills, but it actually isn't. Dimitri is trying to keep offworlders from being drowned. Thankfully, the kelpies aren't actually that much of a threat. Why, you ask? Well...
"Hey," says one, skirting the edge of the lake shore. "Hey, I need some help here. I'm stuck in the kelp and can't get out." This seems reasonable. It is covered in kelp and waterlogged. Besides, a talking horse surely isn't the strangest thing most people in Town have seen by now. Maybe you can assist just in case. "I promise I won't drown you," it adds, which is a bit suspicious but may still not be enough to deter someone entirely.
However, another snout and muzzle pokes up from the water nearby its friend. "Wait- We are going to drown them though for real, right? Like, I just want to be sure-"
"Shut up," the first kelpie hisses. "You always do this, man! This is why we never get to drown anyone!"
"Sorry. Sorry, it's just- You said we weren't, but I thought we were so I got confused. A-anyway, right! Hello. We are totally normal horses who will not drown you. Please, come closer."
If you refuse, the kelpies continue to bicker until they're effectively deterred and sink back down into the depths before (weakly) attempting to drown someone else again later.
Although this is supposed to be super serious training time, no one is stopping you from having a bit of fun too. The climbing structures are fun to jump off into the water. Those ropes dangling over the edge from thick tree branches make a great swing to catapult you far into the lake. Sometimes, some play is necessary even in the midst of 'work.'
THIS HEAT IS INTENTS
It's Raining Somewhere Else by Toby Fox
2:01 / 2:54
▶︎
Robert F. "Toby" Fox is an American video game developer and composer. He is best known for developing the role-playing video game Undertale.
During the day, the heat becomes almost intolerable at its peaks. While some dragonbonded were lucky to get an ice type, others may not be. Without more modern amenities, people of Town and Offworlders both are left to do what they can to combat the rising temperatures. It is recommended people open their windows at night to let the cool air in but then close it again as the sun starts to climb.
After a couple of days of sweltering suffering in the midst of a heatwave, Charlie offers camping equipment for people who may want to escape the warmth as best they can. People can camp by rivers or lakes to keep cool, fish for food, and set up bonfires at night. Slayd might be seen at your campsite, even, with a fun tune to keep spirits up.
Although not an exhaustive list, some of the things offworlders can do while camping are...
The change in attitude is only temporary though and will diminish over time once someone is away from the tent for a few hours. Once they return to it though, the cycle will begin again and some may catch on to this pattern. But what's the harm, really? Enjoy the cool breeze, have a good sleep, and hopefully sweet dreams. You might even be more amicable to sharing your tent space thanks to your improved mood but that is up to you!
After a couple of days of sweltering suffering in the midst of a heatwave, Charlie offers camping equipment for people who may want to escape the warmth as best they can. People can camp by rivers or lakes to keep cool, fish for food, and set up bonfires at night. Slayd might be seen at your campsite, even, with a fun tune to keep spirits up.
Although not an exhaustive list, some of the things offworlders can do while camping are...
- ⁂ Chase or catch lightning bugs. They are in abundance during the early nighttime and can provide a bit of fun.
⁂ Cook over the campfire. S'Mores, meat, whatever! Just be careful of attracting predators if you do this. Dispose of all your food properly lest you invite raccoons, bears, or more to your campsite.
⁂ Foraging. Similarly, finding food out in nature is a fun activity. Although the Fae might try to trick you with dancing lights, they're easy enough to dissuade.
⁂ Stargazing. The constellations here are different, but it might be worth mapping them out or learning their stories.
⁂ ( NSFW - Nudity ) Skinny Dipping. A classic camping activity once the sun sets is stripping off your clothes and going for a swim. The water is cool, no one can see, and it's kind of freeing!
⁂ ... and lots more! Have fun out there, offworlders, and try not to do too much damage.
The change in attitude is only temporary though and will diminish over time once someone is away from the tent for a few hours. Once they return to it though, the cycle will begin again and some may catch on to this pattern. But what's the harm, really? Enjoy the cool breeze, have a good sleep, and hopefully sweet dreams. You might even be more amicable to sharing your tent space thanks to your improved mood but that is up to you!
Rocky Talky
One of the things that was given to you in your welcome pack from Charlie was a summoning-stone. Although it looks like, well, an ordinary stone- It's actually magic! You can look through it and see someone else's face too if you're both viewing your stones at the same time. It can also record your speech and deliver that to someone else in a snap.
One of the other features is that you can scrawl on it. It will turn your writing into legible text that you can send others to read on their stones. Of course, you need to attune yourself to your stone first. To that end, it prompts you to set up a Rockstar Profile:
One of the other features is that you can scrawl on it. It will turn your writing into legible text that you can send others to read on their stones. Of course, you need to attune yourself to your stone first. To that end, it prompts you to set up a Rockstar Profile:
COMMENT CODE TEMPLATE
Notes
⁂ Hello and welcome to Children of Bahamut! If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback feel free to comment here!
⁂ We have a top-level directory for ease of finding new players to tag! After some feedback, we ask that only new players link their top-levels though current players are allowed to top-level and enjoy the TDM if they so wish as well!
⁂ Similarly, for the marksmanship prompt, players will need to roll a 15 or higher to successfully hit Hoshiko's moving target.
⁂ You can customize the the Rockstar Profile however you wish! So long as its readable, have fun. The profile image appears best when a 250 by 250 square image. Anything too tall might stretch it strangely or cause issues. If you need to edit or crop a picture to suit, we recommend using Pixlr as a free option for up to three images! We're not sponsored or anything, it's just neat and convenient.
⁂ Full Navigation ⁂
⁂ We have a top-level directory for ease of finding new players to tag! After some feedback, we ask that only new players link their top-levels though current players are allowed to top-level and enjoy the TDM if they so wish as well!
- (Example header: character name | canon | new/current player )
⁂ Similarly, for the marksmanship prompt, players will need to roll a 15 or higher to successfully hit Hoshiko's moving target.
⁂ You can customize the the Rockstar Profile however you wish! So long as its readable, have fun. The profile image appears best when a 250 by 250 square image. Anything too tall might stretch it strangely or cause issues. If you need to edit or crop a picture to suit, we recommend using Pixlr as a free option for up to three images! We're not sponsored or anything, it's just neat and convenient.
Oanna | OC | New player
[Oanna manifests about a hundred yards above the ground. Not... okay, on the list of weird things that have happened to her, it's at least near the top of the list.
Well, there's a lot to ponder here. Why her? Why this high up? How long is it going to take for her to get back to her bloody vengeance?
Oh hey, there's someone down there.]
Incoming.
[Said in a matter-of-fact tone as she plummets groundwards. However, rather than crashing into the hapless soul underfoot, she lands with the lightness of a feather, the tip of her foot lightly touching their head before drifting off to the side and landing gently on her feet. One of the perks of her training.]
Do you know what's going on here? If you do, I have a lot of questions.
-2- Fire
[It's hot. For some reason, her spirit flow isn't protecting her from the elements as much as it used to. It's like her core has been weakened by the transition to this world. Well, during the day, nothing for it but to distract herself with work. It's a classic pastime of most Artists: Gathering herbs.
The trouble is, none of the herbs she recognizes are anywhere to be found. The plants are as alien as everything else about this place. So, what started as an attempt to be genuinely productive eventually becomes just a walk in the forest. Eventually, even that becomes sitting cross-legged on the grass, eyes closed, coaxing spiritual energy out of the atmosphere and into her body... Even cultivating here feels off. The air is all wrong.
She cracks an eye open at the first sounds of anyone passing by.]
How's your knowledge of medicinal plants? I've come down with a case of scales.
-3- Metal
When we have seen the view from every mountain peak,
When it snows in summer,
When heaven and earth become one,
Not until then will I leave your side.
1
Yeah, sort of - but what kind of magic was that?!
[ He's pulled himself up to a sitting position and is now pointing at her indignantly. ]
no subject
[ Said a little less incredulously than she would otherwise, since this does seem to be another world. The moon doesn't have a spirit realm, so maybe something similar is going on here. ]
no subject
[ No matter how many otherworldy techniques Popp's seen, a new one never fails to leave an impact. He's scrutinizing her a little more, now that he knows that she might sort of have the same class of fighting style as someone he hasn't seen in a long time. ]
no subject
There's martial arts, and then there's the Art. More like...
[ Oanna extends her hand, channeling a white aura through it, then extends a soft burst of kinetic force that hits Popp like... well, a gentle breeze, she's not being a jerk about it.
After the attack, she looks at her hand a bit suspiciously. ]
Strange... I think something's interfering with my Core.
no subject
What, was it supposed to be stronger than a weak Woosh? Not that I want it to be, aimed at my head like that!
[ He hop
ps to his feet and takes a close look at the newbie's hand also. Obviously since she is new and possibly dangerous he has to get right up in her personal space! What is he, a coward? He... has no idea what he's looking for. Really smooth skin, though! ]That, uh... might be the dragon?
no subject
[ That has her immediate attention, which might be a bit intense at this distance. She's not feeling particularly threatened by him getting into her personal space, but if dragons have gotten involved, then she's going to have to take this seriously. ]
I've heard stories, but never seen one. Did a dragon summon me here?
no subject
[ This is a constant source of aggravation for Popp, who would prefer having some sort of wise all-knowing dragon god about to add to his collection of mentor figures.
He is hesitating on spilling the full story because the other person he talked to recently was pretty alarmed. Man, he's gotten so used to dragons it's hard to remember how he used to feel about them! ]
If the stories are about how they burn down villages and eat humans, that's not what they do here, all right? The dragons from my world do that kind of stuff, but these guys are almost like normal people.
no subject
[ Fell empires, cleave mountain ranges, raise islands out of the sea... they don't act often, but when they do, everyone takes notice. ]
...Either way, it sounds like these ones are pretty different, if you're comparing them to people.
no subject
[ He cuts off and looks like he's listening to something that isn't quite there. Whatever he heard, it makes him sigh and roll his eyes. ]
Fine, so they run the gamut from shiftless layabout to functional god. The type you're talking about is what you get when an entire star turns itself into a dragon to walk among us mortals. The one that's hanging out with you right now is probably just some oversized shopkeeper.
no subject
...Who are you? I'm Oanna.
Fire
Oh! Mr. Charlie has books about the local flora you can borrow! I read them all when I first arrived.
[ He reaches into his basket and pulls out a plant that he offers to Oanna. ]
Here, this one can be made into a salve that'll help with the itching.
no subject
If you're offering me a cure for the itching, I'm guessing that means there isn't a cure for the scales themselves. [ On the back of her hand, a small ridge of light blue crystal scales. The first sign of dragonhood, apparently. ]
Fire
[But Ignis gets it, he really does. His entire household struggled in various ways on their changes, from Noctis growing fur, to the spines on Prompto's back, so wanting a little bit of relief isn't unusual.]
[By now, they're all far beyond needing such help there, of course... so Ignis really just set out to gather some plants and wild produce for his dinner tonight with the boys and Lady Lunafreya. Well, he was, until he got here and met this young lady. The basket in his arms with a few fruits will have to wait.]
Still, if you need a bit of relief, I can see what I can do. Simply itching, or is there anything else bothering you?
no subject
[ Summer heat is easier to deal with when you have time to acclimate. It's harder when you wake up from a snowstorm to a day of blazing sun. ]
I've heard that it's a sign of some sort of connection to a dragon. I'm still wrapping my mind around that one.
Metal. [Video] un:@Emissary
Was that line of verse penned by your own hand? I enjoy the imagery it evokes as well as the bond between speaker and listener it presents.
no subject
No such luck; I'm not much of a poet. A former lover used it to woo me, and it's been a favorite of mine ever since.
no subject
If not poetry, are there other arts that hold your passion?
no subject
[ ...Oh right, people here might not know about that. ]
Ah, that's the martial arts and the path beyond them, towards self-improvement, great power, and ultimately immortality. I do dabble in dance, though.
no subject
[He lifts his chin from his hand and smiles brightly.]
There is no doubt that the paths of such things appear quite different between our worlds, however. How does your Art bring about immortality?
no subject
It is a long path. As a mortal, you master your body and mind, and awaken to the flow of spirit through the world. At the Foundation stage, you begin drawing that spirit into your body, making yourself a vessel for its power. At the Ascent stage, you form that spirit into a solid Core that forms the basis for all future growth. At the Summit stage, you weave together your Core and your soul, manifesting it in the material plane.
After achieving all these feats, the next breakthrough is into the Apotheosis stage, where you leave behind the mortal realm to explore the divine realm of immortals, an infinite existence beyond our comprehension.