bopbay | 005 ⟡ SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE

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005 ⟡ SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE

⋆✩ test drive 05 ✩⋆

The day begins like any other.

Routines, eventful scenes, and boring errands — no matter what you were in the middle of, there's a moment where everything begins to feel wrong. A searing pain tears through your body, so intense that it feels like every nerve has been struck at once. Muscles spasm, joints scream in protest, and as you double over, you find yourself clawing or clinging at anything within your reach. As your attempts to maintain composure fail you, your bones begin to twist with an agonizing force, the pain rising in a crescendo until it becomes unbearable to even breathe. Then, as quickly as it began, everything stops.

For a single, terrifying moment, there's nothing. No sight, no sound, no touch, no taste, no smell — just the weight of nothingness swallowing you whole. The absence of sensation might even be worse than the pain, leaving you adrift in a void you can't escape. Hopelessness threatens every fiber of your existence, and try as you might to fight it, your darkest thoughts begin to surface, flooding your mind in an onslaught of suffocating feelings and ideas.

In the darkness, you hear a voice.

It's faint, a gentle flashing of something warm along the edges of your mind, like sunlight itself. It's a voice, but you can't identify who or what it comes from, how it sounds, or what it means — still, you know it's directed at you. Something tugs at your heart, a powerful ache that throbs once and ripples outwards. You can feel the aches again, like fresh sores throughout your body. You feel off, like something isn't quite right, like you're not where you should be, or who you should be. But the voice continues, whispered just beyond your understanding. The sound is warm like hope, and it wraps around you, distant yet intent, before you wake up.

i. arrivals

HIDDEN IN THE TALL GRASS

All around you now, is the scent of loam and plantlife. It is just slightly damp - the morning dew has not yet dried, and the sun’s light visible even while the sun still crawls up from the horizon. The grass around you is somehow ridiculously tall however.

Or perhaps you’re just small?

It’s difficult to see much of anything in the fields you’ve arrived in, but at the very least you can see yourself. Your limbs, no longer what they should have been. Your very skin, covered perhaps with fur, scales, or something else entirely. There is much about this situation that bears no answer, but maybe that will change as you wander through the sea of grass.

The sounds of other Pokemon soon become clear to your new ears. Other confused wanderers, fumbling with their new bodies. One by one, you make your way through the grass to each other - or maybe, someone finds you. Pokemon who didn’t wake up dazed in the grass also begin to appear, and they bring with them offers of help and explanation. All of them point toward the same place, eagerly indicating a series of gleaming lights through the blades.

Don’t worry friends - Malamar is here to help!

YOUR FRIEND, HERE TO HELP⟡ Severity of dysphoria and disorientation symptoms are entirely up to the player, as is the duration of time these symptoms last.

⟡ The grass fields stretch for a long distance, but grass becomes shorter the closer one comes to the ends of the fields. Forests, as well as the bank of a river can be found, as can the new Outpost constructed here. Malamar, being a good friend, always aims to bring everyone to town. Though the route may be a bit long - they’re avoiding danger!

⟡ Upon arrival at the Outpost of Skull Town (though ‘Death Blood Murder’ seems to have been added above the word Skull on the sign), Pokemon will be ushered into a communal housing structure while news is ferried to Bottlecap Bay.

⟡ While TDM events specifically will occur here, Players are welcome to have their Top Levels involve other locations as well.

ii. The Town of Death Blood Murder Skull

AN OMEN OF THE SEASONS

Shortly after the sun sets, on the very same day that new arrivals began to wake in the grass, eerie lights and music drift down from one of the distant mountains. They wind their way into the valley, bringing with them an unseasonable chill. Something is coming.

Something is Froslass, queen of those dead by frost and in lonely spaces, and she is on her traditional visit down from the mountains. Does this happen yearly? Every few years? It's hard to tell - Ghosts aren't always the best at keeping track of living time - but however often it is, she is delighted to see that the Ghosts of the forest and valley have built an entire town this time, just for her!

What? Malamar wants her to know it's not just for her? Of course it is, silly! It has Death and Murder and Skulls in the name, doesn't it? She'll even magnanimously accept all these living participants, since they so graciously showed up to pay her tribute.

Quibbles over the town aside, Froslass's presence heralds the beginning of an undead ritual. Ghostly flames make delicate, flickering paths through the valley, visible only at night but felt even during the day. Trip through one of them and you will find yourself shivering, maybe even feeling slightly disconnected from your body.

Froslass herself holds court in town, expecting attention and entertainment, particularly near dawn and dusk. While she's not outright hostile, she is rather volatile: she's easily delighted by anyone who puts in a genuine effort, no matter how unskilled, but she's very quick to anger if she thinks someone isn't sufficiently motivated - or worse, avoiding her! Be ready to either participate or stay far, far away to keep unnoticed. Even that might not save you, as her presence seems to have a very odd effect on Ghosts and even other Pokemon in town. You may be subject to encouragement... and some of it might not be gentle.

HAIL TO THE QUEEN⟡ Ghost types and those who have ever experienced dying are susceptible to Froslass's presence.

⟡ This may be mild: maybe characters just find Froslass charming or stately, or are a little more tolerant of participating in the festivities, even if they’d normally be annoyed. Or it can be more severe, with characters having an inexplicable urge to act more spooky or ghostly.

⟡ In the worst cases, characters can get really caught up in it and feel an outright compulsion to not only do things for Froslass, but to make sure that other people are doing their part too. This can even escalate to Pokemon battles!

⟡ Your friend Malamar is very concerned about this, and will be encouraging people to try and snap their other friends out of it! (Is this perhaps also contributing to battles? No, it couldn’t be, your friend Malamar wouldn’t do something like that…)

SOIREES AND SERVICE

Fortunately, the festivities required aren't particularly deadly or horrifying! Froslass expects to be well fed and entertained as recompense for her very important role, but she is very happy to share with everyone as long as she's getting her dues.

Pokemon can choose to help make and serve elaborate dishes for Froslass, and attend on her needs - she'll require them to be well-decorated if so, to match her brilliance! Those who are less skilled with food can choose to sing, tell stories, make music, or dance for her - she particularly enjoys performances with fans or ribbons - or offer her little Ghost Pokemon figures made out of harvest fruits and vegetables. Barring that, Pokemon can decorate Skull Town and their less crafty townmates, making sure everyone is adequately adorned for the occasion (or crafting necessary props like those fans and ribbons)!

Pokemon who aren't particularly artistic have at least one other option: help maintain the ghostly flames throughout the valley. These lights were originally made by Froslass, and while they're currently placed to guide other Ghosts into town, they're being saved for another purpose later. She'll be very put out if any of them are snuffed! Fortunately, the lights are easy to keep flickering. It takes days for one to die, and the judicious application of a Ghost, Fire, or Ice move - or, lacking any of those, the addition of some completely normal kindling - brightens it right up again. There are, however, rather a lot of them...

Froslass outright expects any Pokemon who has taken a turn contributing to the festivities to have some time to enjoy them, too. Come, sit down, have some good food served to you by Pokemon in elaborate outfits, and enjoy a fun diversion! Or at least take a relaxed stroll through town with her and her retinue and take in the atmosphere!

LIGHT UP THE TOWN⟡ Yes. Yes it's a maid cafe. (Maid outfits are optional, but Froslass does think they're suitable attire.) If not interacting with another character currently taking a shift, players may assume that NPC Ghosts are acting as staff!

⟡ Froslass rewards or curses those who catch her attention by participating or abstaining from the festivities. Particularly unlucky curmudgeons will just get a mild case of frostbite, but mostly her rewards and curses are themed around what she thinks would be helpful or harmful... based on her conception of the world, which is a tad Ghost-centric.

⟡ All of these curses or blessings are temporary and will not last past the end of Froslass's visit.

⟡ Some possible blessings: Characters are able to detect a single emotion of player choice. Characters' voices have become melodic enough to slowly lull people to sleep, whether they intended it or not. Characters are struck by constant inspiration for ghostly pranks. Characters become less sensitive to sunlight (wait, you already weren't sensitive to sunlight? What do you mean, of course you were).

⟡ Some possible curses: Characters feel emptier and hungrier than usual, like their stomachs have become a black hole. Characters feel drained of energy unless they're around someone feeling a specific emotion (of player choice). Characters find it nearly impossible to enter inhabited buildings, which are suddenly unnervingly uncomfortable to be in. Characters are lonely and can't bear not being around people, desperately seeking others out when by themselves.

iii. Fête of the Forgotten

VESSELS SAILING AWAY

As the festivities welcoming the immaculate Froslass settle down, the end of the month gradually brings the true meaning of the occasion to light. When she first arrived, it was easy to lose the facts among the fanaticism - not to mention, Malamar’s frustrations. It’s always difficult when friends fight. However, as the leaves slowly turn to the color of flame and the air begins to crisp for harvest, Skull Town gathers more and more Ghost Pokemon ready to bring forth their core traditions.

A tradition of remembrance. Of connection. A celebration of ‘ghosts’ who no longer walk the mortal realm.

During the final week of September, Pokemon such as Spiritomb and Oricorio begin to reach out to the Outpost citizens to collaborate for their final tradition. Having spent some time among the Pokemon of Bottlecap Bay, they feel confident that the communities of Spectrunk and Bottlecap can harmonize with its meaning. They spin tales of boats sailing across distant seas, and of faint lights floating through the blackest skies to guide spirits to their new home. Here and now, as the summer season officially greets the autumnal one, Pokemon may be granted a chance to reconnect with those who sailed ever further.

Those who sailed beyond, to their final place of rest.

Where the weeks prior were filled with festivities and excitement, the final week of September is a somber time as small boats to carry spirit flames are prepared for the final day. They will sail them down the river and out to the sea as the sun sets in those last moments - a tribute to the departed, as well as a message to those who still reside in the places they came from.

To the quiet surprise of Pokemon beyond this world, it seems there is something to this ritual. As their boat sails outward, spirits of those they left behind in their homes - whether deceased or otherwise - appear before their very eyes! It is a chance perhaps, to get some closure.

Or to simply say hello, as the Ghosts would say.

LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE⟡ The final week of the festival in fact runs from September 22nd to September 30th - Approximately 8, rather than 7 days.

⟡ Players may be creative with the stories shared from the Ghost Pokemon during this time: the only key points to remember are that it seems many either sailed here themselves, or had ancestors that did so.

⟡ Pokemon do not have to make a boat in order to participate within the festival - if your character would not do so, you are free to assume a well-meaning Ghost Pokemon crafted and launched one for them!

⟡ Spirits of otherworldly characters will remain from sunset to sunrise, September 30th to October 1st. They may not necessarily be fully present - perhaps unable to speak, or hear clearly. They may also appear to come from a time different from the character’s own. Strangely, while many will recognize who they are speaking to despite appearances, some spirits claim to have never met.

⟡ Spirits may also appear as players wish - Perhaps they are fully human (or inhuman, in some cases). Perhaps, they take the form of a Pokemon as well, one characters associate with them.

✩ OOC NOTES.

⟡ TDM CWS: Disorientation, Grieving/Death (as a topic of conversation), Hypnosis/Mental Influence

⟡ TDMs are game canon and act as events for the month they are posted.

⟡ New characters can link to their top level beneath the NEWBIE DIRECTORY

⟡ All new arrivals are not assigned to any one guild. However, they may assume themselves to share rooms within any one of them during the course of the TDM.

⟡ Remember that at least one thread for your application must come from the TDM! There is no comment minimum, but we will be looking for engagement, as well as for players and characters who take the time to delve into things like character thoughts, emotions, morality, and other deep themes. Take this time to engage with the setting as you would in game!

⟡ As a reminder, reserves and applications are permanently opened. Please see their respective pages for details on processing time.

⟡ Have any questions related to the TDM? Ask here! If your question is more general for the game, please make sure to direct it to the FAQ page instead. Thank you, and happy threading!

FULL NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The creature that approaches when she calls out is much taller than her, but he doesn't move in so close as to loom over her or anything. Umemiya's a Lucario, the aura-sensing tendrils on the back of his head tied back loosely with a scrap of green cloth.]

Whoa, hammer. Promise you're not going to hit me with that?

[Not that, like, he's as afraid of it as some, given that Steel types resist Steel attacks. Hammers are steel type attacks, right? Right. Probably.]

[ parvati startles a bit, looking up at the... blue thing, that she's encountered. ]

U-uh. Nope, prob'ly not... sir?

[ she tilts her head to the side a bit, scanning him up and down like she's going to find some sort of clue as to what's going on. ]

Unless you attack me, I guess.

[ she adjusts the hammer's place on her shoulder as she says this, hoping that seems threatening enough. it's worked before on ruffians, but she can't tell if this guy is a ruffian. ]

[He is absolutely a delinquent, but he's not about to turn that on a new face, not when he's only been here for a couple of months himself. He remembers arriving on the beach, confused and lost.]

Yeah, not in the plan. C'mon, let's get you to the outpost, we can help get you settled in. I'm Umemiya.

[Right, he might be taking it a little too quickly, so he waits to hear her response instead of turning in the direction of Skull Town straight away.]

Oh! There's an outpost? People live 'round here?

[ bingo! there might be something, anything to help her there. she moves to stand next to him, still looking up. ]

I'm Parvati, by the way. You folks wouldn't happen t' have radio equipment, would you?

[ poor parvati has woefully misunderstood her situation, it seems. this fella seems nice enough, though! she tries to smile confidently. ]

Radios? Not exactly. But there's people, and there's food, and safe places to sleep. If nothing else, while you're figuring things out, it will be better than being out in the wild. I promise you that.

[Oh boy! This is going to take some untangling! But he'll make an honest effort of it once they're in civilized territory.]

I know this is going to be a weird question, but were you human, before you arrived here?

[ parvati is a little disappointed by the answer to her question. oh well, she thinks, it probably wouldn't have been capable of off-world communication anyway. and even if it was, she likely wouldn't have been able to reach the unreliable since she has no clue what system she's in to begin with. a place to shelter out of the wilds is better than nothing, she knows that well enough. ]

Oh! Yeah! Human as the day I was born, I think?

[ so she isn't the only one, that's good. makes things less awkward on her part while she works out how to jury rig some kind of communication like that -- or if she can do that to begin with. the possibility crosses her mind and she grimaces. ]

Not weird at all. I'm gonna guess it's the same for you, Mister Umemiya?

[ girl you are ten years older than him. ]

[He bristles a little, fur sticking up when she calls him 'mister'. Whole some people insist on Umemiya-san out of respect, it's still more formal than he expects.]

Yeah, though that isn't true of absolutely everyone here. Some people weren't human before. But we're all what are called Pokemon now. Different types, different species, but no one arrived here without going through a transformation.

[ she cringes a little at that. she supposes it could be worse, she could've transformed into an insane mutated marauder back on gorgon. yikes. ]

Pokemon... oh, so like. You're like a canid on two legs? All person-like?

[ this is what parvati guesses he is, anyway. she has never seen a normal animal in her life so her only basis is whatever beasties halcyon has, and most of 'em are inclined to killing you on sight. ]

Sort of. More than just a normal dog or fox. Or...jackal?

[He's not entirely sure himself.]

Most don't come with metal spikes and the ability to sense auras.

I... have no idea what that is.

[ actually. wait. the word "dog" rang a bell? was it an earth creature? WAIT-- ]

Are you from Earth?

[That's not a concerning question to hear at all...]

Yeah, I am. Japan, specifically. And you?

Oh my Law.

[ act cool, parvati. act cool.] I'm from Terra Two, in Halcyon? Long way from Earth. My Captain's from Earth, though -- pretty neat fella. Dunno what a "Japan" is or if that's where they're from too, but--

[ she shakes her head. can't get too ramble-y. ]

[Umemiya holds up one paw, like he's asking for a moment pause.]

I think you might be ahead of me, significantly, if we're talking about the same Earth at all. When I am from, humans haven't managed to make it past the moon yet.

[ o-oh?! okay, that certainly changes things. ]

Oh, I see... sorry. Won't talk your ear off about it, then. That's kinda funny to imagine, though. [ she adjusts the position of her hammer again, placing a second hand on it for support. ] Guess everything I just said's pretty confusing, huh.

I mean, I understood the basic idea. I just don't have any more context for 'Halcyon' than you do for 'Japan'.

Once you're settled in, I might pop up asking for stories.

[As if he can sit still for long enough for stories, unless they're told over a meal. He is, unfortunately, on the rowdy end of teenagerhood.]

Oh, I dunno if I have anything too interesting to share. [ she pauses, to think. ] ...settle in? Like, into the outpost?

[ well damn it. guess she's stuck, and with people who'll probably have no clue what she says to boot. sorry umemiya, you've invited a technobabble ridden infodump in your near future. ]

Well. Eventually we'll head back to the village proper, where there's more room to stay. One of the guilds will recruit you, eventually.

[He can't guess which yet, though his gut says Lum Berries.]

Guilds? Is that like a company? Or a crew? [ parvati's not sure if she can go back to living like the spacer's choice family again... but if it's as freeing as the unreliable has been then maybe it won't be so bad. she shouldn't be jumping to any conclusions yet. ]

Are you all still charting out this... place?

So...it's like this. There's a village a bit from here that's a lot more established than this. It's run by three guilds that make sure things get done. The Oran Berries are active defenders, led by Mightyena. She's not a strategist at heart, but she's fierce and protective and that counts for something. Cheri Berries are rangers. Ribombee leads them, and he's...well, I haven't met him myself, but I keep hearing things that make my teeth itch about him. And then Lum Berries are scholars, and they have the best lodgings in the middle of the village by the Archives. Polteageist leads them.

But beside the village and this outpost, there's a lot of wild territory, and Pokemon who don't seem to think we're the boss of them.

[Umemiya leans in slightly, lowering his voice.]

I'm not sure they're wrong about that, either.

Everywhere's got Marauders, I guess.

[ she pauses for a moment to mull over the information she's been given, counting something out on her fingers. this would probably be fine, maybe. if these people-- pokemon?-- need her expertise, she wouldn't say no.

she just hopes the poke-marauders are the regular kind. ]

Or not Marauders. Plenty of people where I'm from who live outside the rules, doing what they want. Companies don't like 'em, but I think they're pretty harmless. [ well. apart from adelaide. she's weird. ] Which guild are you a member of, Mister Umemiya?

I'm with the Oran Berries. Back home, fighting was a large part of my life, and I've picked up how to fight as a Pokemon pretty quickly.

[...does that make him sound like he came from a place at war? Maybe. It's not entirely untrue, given how the gangs back home worked.]

Guess I'm lucky I'm also from a pretty dangerous place! [ you can't just say that so casually...! but still, she's grinning somewhat proudly. all of that bashing of marauder skulls is gonna pay off big time. ]

Probably something that comes with the territory of space though, huh... [ if she really is stuck here, she's going to miss her cabin back on the ship. ]

[She'll miss it even more when she sees low-ranking guild quarters, unfortunately.]

Yeah, it gives us a leg up on people who came from more peaceful times and places. Though there's a lot of other scrappy sorts around. You'll like Firepaw, he's a feisty guy.

[ oh. well she doesn't want to start fights if she can help it. ]

I'm not really a fighter. Well-- no. I am. My friends say I'm pretty tough, good with a hamm-- oh. [ she looks up, steps back, and swings her hammer around juuuust out of umemiya's way. ]

Hey, you've got a hammer!

[Umemiya grins at her, taking another step further back out of the way of the swing.]

How's it feel with that thing?

Tall Grass

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