006 ⟡ NOVEMBER TEST DRIVE

[bayhelpers]

⋆✩ test drive 06 ✩⋆

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

OUT OF THE FRYING TUBES…

The first thing you notice is the heat. It’s dry and sweltering, a pressuring thing that surrounds you in darkness. Opening your eyes reveals that it’s not just the temperature doing this however - no, all around you is a near total darkness, broken only by the soft glow of red gold that creeps in from distant cracks.

And perhaps, in some circumstances, yourself.

The tunnels here appear to be lava tubes, long faded from primary use by the caldera nearby. While the occasional pool of hot molten rock can be spotted throughout this impressive maze, it never seems difficult to avoid. In fact, the deeper you go, the more evidence you find that someone - or at least, something - even lived here!

Staying here is probably not going to feel comfortable however. Not unless you’re Fire or Ground type. Escaping the tunnels is only half the battle, too, as the exits lead to a desolate plain of ash and dust. The caldera of Furnace Mountain is hot indeed, and it seems that’s precisely where you wound up! But perhaps, another kind Pokemon will appear to help lead you to somewhere safer?

AND INTO THE FIRE

⟡ Furnace Mountain’s regions all return to the settlement of (Death Blood Murder) Skull Town easily, but it’s not impossible for Pokemon to get lost and wander from the tunnels to other locations:

The Caldera Crater is a maze of molten lava and narrow walkways, where one can eventually find a crooked Obsidian Spire - making contact with this will cause a chorus of shouts to echo through one’s mind.

The Plateau in the meantime is covered with numerous geysers, with safe paths marked by what appear to be skeletal remains. They lead to a valley filled with even more such skeletons, many of them partially melted.

⟡ Worry not dear Pokemon, for Lurantis, the Mayor of Skull Town, will be sending rescue crews to your location; in addition to current Players, various Ghost Pokemon will likely answer the call to guide others out.

⟡ For those who remain in Skull Town for a time, they will find the village primarily focused on either rescuing newcomers or preparing for winter: Characters may find themselves swiftly recruited to help dry foods, or gather wood.

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

ii. BRISK BREEZES

KNOCK ON SUDOWOODO

For the most part Pokemon are encouraged to return to Bottlecap Bay as quickly as possible - rather, to be brought there for the first time. The Guilds are all located there after all, and it will be far easier to settle Pokemon into their new homes if the Leaders are able to meet them in person. With the winter season right around the corner, everyone is trying to avoid travelling unnecessarily; they held that mayoral vote for a reason after all!

While much of the food stores have been prepared, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do either. In addition to putting together warm materials for beds, or cutting and preserving the last of the autumn harvest, a good number of Pokemon have started their own efforts to prepare the guilds, and gladly accept extra help from these newcomers! In Cheri Guild, everyone gathers to build stronger, more weather resistant rooftops for the otherwise open tree houses, with some even gathering large leaves to make curtain walls - the more that the wind can be kept out, the warmer they will be, and starting a fire in these buildings is ill advised.

In Oran in the meantime, an enterprising Tinkaton has started work on a bilge pump system - an incredibly relieved Mightyena is happily telling everyone who will listen that if they’re lucky, they won’t have to worry about flooding until the seasons warm up again.

Even the Lum Berry Guild has their hands on something, even if it isn’t anything quite as impressive; given the weather preparations they haven’t had time to put together any special escape rooms this time, but they’re at least willing to send out less busy members to give tours of the town.

Though of course, the quality of the tours vary, and it’s hardly as if the new Pokemon can offer to help tour themselves!

…Right?

YOU JYNXED IT!

⟡ Pokemon who assist in any of the three projects - including the tours, which they can indeed attempt for themselves, will find themselves granted an article of warm clothing. Stay warm everyone!

⟡ For current players, Player Quests as referenced can be found here, along with many other wonderful submissions!

⟡ As Guild Leaders will be taking their time to decide on who fits best in each group, housing is at the moment an open bag. Players are free to assume anyone from Oran, to Cheri, to even Lum opened their room to other Pokemon to be shared - they can even assume residence at Skull Town for the time being if they wish!

iii. FREEZE THE DAY

WINTER HAS COME

It happens without warning. A sudden chilled wind from the coast - a darkening of the skies that would normally entail thunder, and rainshowers. Rather than the anticipated storm however, weather experts at Lum are quick to sound the alarm: a blizzard is here!

With just moments to spare, all Pokemon residents - and even some visiting wild Pokemon, who are confused but grateful all the same - are herded into the nearest shelter. Houses, Guilds, even storefronts become temporary homes as the snow blasts through the streets, freezing anything in its path. While some Pokemon might find the conditions tolerable, the leaders of each region are enacting a No Exceptions policy to the rule, even making use of Pokemon abilities to locate anyone who might be in danger.

With the snow storm in full force, it’s on the various guilds to find methods to pass the time. The winter storm can’t last forever, but if it does they’ve fortunately prepared. At this point in the year, there was very little food that would need to be sourced from outside each building - each and every location has at least a small connection to the storage tunnels below, and the Oran berries even have access to sheltered portions of the ocean. Even the newly planted Winter Gardens are well protected, with one of Lurantis’ first orders of business being to put enough fencework up that they could roof things in if need be.

Entertainment will be the true struggle, and each Guild Leader has their own method at the problem - as does Lurantis, back in Skull Town. And fortunately for those with Grumpig Pearls, it’s possible to make your own fun as well!

Unless you actually enjoy the ice breakers, of course.

HOW ABOUT SOME ICE BREAKERS?

⟡ There are a variety of ways Pokemon will be catching others outside, including methods such as ‘Future Sight’. Players are free to get creative with how other Pokemon might find their characters (and vice versa, with Player permission).

⟡ Each Guild has their own unique set of ‘Ice Breakers’:

The Oran Guild involves various races, as well as seek-and-find games through their more sheltered tunnels, capitalizing on their ability to remain active. They also host a number of slumber parties to help keep everyone as warm as possible.

The Cheri Guild also hosts sleep overs, as well as various crafting circles within their huts - that way, they can do something useful! As the buildings are connected via bridges, Teleporting Pokemon within the guild have offered to graciously lend their power to get everyone between the necessary buildings.

The Lum Guild has access to the archives, so a similar Teleport use is offered on a case-by-case basis to get Pokemon into the Archives; try not to abuse this, everyone! Once in the Archives they’ll find plenty to read and study, and some Pokemon are even hosting ‘board game’ parties! Though they seem somewhat confused about how these board games work.

Last but not least, those in Skull Town will have found themselves herded into the primary housing facility to sleep together. Lurantis, despite her anxiety with crowds, has actually arranged a variety of simple ‘Get to Know Each Other’ activities such as word games in the hopes of keeping everyone entertained. She seems stressed, but she’s clearly trying to keep the peace.

⟡ It’s more than possible for members of one Guild to end up sheltering within another. Due to the distance between them however, someone stuck in Cheri won’t be able to simply teleport to the Lum Archives, and vice versa. Long Distance Teleporters are too focused on the clinic!

⟡ Grumpig Pearls will be working perfectly despite the blizzard, due to their use of Psychic energy rather than anything that relies on a signal - because of this, characters may feel free to get creative about how to use their Pearls to entertain themselves and others.

IT’S SNOW MUCH FUN!

When the winds and snows of the blizzard settle down, Bottlecap Bay and Skull Town wake to a beautifully sunny landscape covered in white. It’s just warm enough during the day that snows start to melt, and trees drip water and handfuls of snow onto everyone’s heads. (Sometimes entire heaps come sliding off at once - if you’re a smaller Pokemon, careful you don’t get buried!) The ground cover is far too deep to disappear completely, though, so the first order of business everywhere is digging walkways through the snow.

Once that’s done and everyone’s had a breath of fresh air, though, Pokemon find ways to take out all the pent up energy of being snowed in! It’s very easy to find a snowball fight, or join in on building a fort - or both! Or if all that’s a bit too frivolous for you… there’s rumors going around of a giant snowbeast that’s been glimpsed around the borders of Bottlecap Bay, ducking in and out of forest. Descriptions aren’t consistent, so it might just be gossip that’s been blown out of proportion, but maybe it’s worth investigating?

Over in Skull Town, Lurantis flits to and fro frantically, visibly stressed. The harvest was practically done, so very little has actually gone wrong. However, it’s very early in the year for such a bad snowstorm, and she has terrible feelings about what it might mean for this winter. Pokemon who don’t seem busy with something else might get pointed toward collecting more firewood, or better insulating Skull Town buildings, or other winter preparation tasks.

On one particular day, one of the mountains around Crowncork Valley experiences an avalanche - snow shears off near the top and tumbles down in a giant sheet, piling up at the bottom and invading the very edge of the valley. It’s an impressive sight - nearly all Pokemon in town pause and watch in awe before returning to their tasks. Good thing that wasn’t closer! Hopefully no one was out there…

EVERY DAY I’M SHOVELIN’

⟡ There are numerous ways to get rid of snow, with some Pokemon moves more effective than others. While Fire is strong against Ice, it results in a lot of snowmelt that gets everything wet - Pokemon will find that as long as they can push the snow elsewhere, it’s a lot more effective than trying to just vaporize it.

⟡ Pokemon who investigate particularly deep into these ‘Snowbeast’ tales will find themselves incredibly confused - at least until the end of the month, where one such ‘beast’ finally slips up. It appears a group of Solosis were inspired by scary tales of something their Uncle Reuniclus saw just at the end of October. A big, tall monster, with frozen clouds at its feet, and horns of ice…what could that be?

⟡ Those who help Lurantis won’t receive any points for their guild, but she’ll be incredibly grateful for the assistance given how new she is to her position! She’ll speak to any such volunteers individually, and while she admits she can’t give them anything now she tells each one to come visit once spring is here.

✩ OOC NOTES.

⟡ TDM CWS: Skeletal Remains, Hard Wintering conditions, Pokemon Typical Violence

⟡ 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.

⟡ Rough Timing on the prompts are as follows: the Blizzard will begin on November 20th, and lasts until the 23rd for a full three days. The avalanche in Crowncork occurs on November 27th. Thank goodness it didn’t happen to the town somehow right?

⟡ 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

Comments

[galaxyfarer]

My...

[a pause as he's righted. ah, that's better. Stardust feels a bit sheepish about needing the extra hand to just sit up. this creature standing in front of him is unlike anything he's seen before. it seems to be friendly, though it is colored like a cakemonster. not that that stops them from being friends]

...wings?

[he tilts his head, blinking those dark orbs. a very birdlike gesture. he fluffs himself up and attempts to move them. yes, okay. Stardust's arms are now wings. not wholly unfamiliar, but still strange]

I have wings.

[good job. they don't even seem to be damaged! he'll even practice fluttering them. no pain]

[crimson_general]

[He most certainly looks like a Cake Wolf, albeit a very oddly shaped one that walks on its hint legs. If Stardust had any frame of reference, he might have even assumed the lupine creature before him to be a Werehound of some kind. Velvet tilts his head to one side in return, blinking his mismatched eyes as if to mirror the bird's action, and looks extremely confused.]

Y-Yes...were you not aware? Have you been harmed at all? [Another slow blink, and the normally red Cookie looks at the long, swaying and furry arms before him, holding the paws up and out to look at and flex the claws of. W-What in the world? He's used to having a massive, clawed arm, but not...two?] Oh...m-my. Have I...fully become a Cake? How--

[galaxyfarer]

[he opens his beak to respond, but then the canine creature seems distracted. he'll tip his head forward, the long neck allowing him to get closer]

You do not appear to be made of Cake. Nor Cookie. You do not look human, either. I wonder if I, also, have become something else entirely.

[crimson_general]

Hyoo...mon? I beg your pardon, but I am unfamiliar with this term.

[Unlike Stardust, who was created and sadly discarded by the Wizards, Red Velvet has no real interaction with those sorts - their creators, the Witches and the Wizards who've left their world long ago. He only knows the stories he was told, and his mission to use the Witch's great Oven to build his cake army, for Dark Enchantress Cookie. Anything else is, well...not on his payroll.]

Regardless, it does indeed seem you have transformed as well, if you were once a Cookie. I do not know the form, but it appears to be a sort of cheesebird...or blueberry bird. [Hell, now that the thing is closer, Red Velvet would actually liken it a lot to a sugar swan, but that's impossible - only one ever exists on Earthbread.]

[galaxyfarer]

[Stardust ruffles his wings... yes, wings! how fortunate to meet another Cookie here! Stardust seems really happy]

Never mind the human word, then. It is unimportant. [a beat] I am now a bird, then. Thank you for telling me.

[he understands what to do, now! he flaps his cloudy wings and begins to lift off the ground. there, that's much easier than trying to walk]

As for you, you are more reminiscent of... a cakehound? But much larger. More wolflike!

[crimson_general]

[It definitely is lucky that they ran into each other, yes. Red Velvet probably could have managed to make his way out on his own - he's clever and resourceful enough - but having another set of eyes is undoubtedly going to help in the long run. There's evidence of other creatures making their homes in these caves, and he doesn't have his cake knife to fight back, just his claws and teeth now, so...that's a bit of a downgrade.]

A cakewolf? [Red Velvet blinks, trying to look himself over as best he can by twisting and turning, but it's quite difficult with this strange build.] ...Not quite the same, but if it is similar in nature, that may be advantageous. I know the Cakes better than perhaps anyone. Ah, speaking of...you perchance haven't seen a cakehound wandering around here, have you? My dear Chiffon...he was with me just before I woke here, and I'm afraid if we've been separated, he could be in grave danger.

[galaxyfarer]

[the birdlike creature shakes his head]

Sorry, I haven't seen any cakehounds around. Though, I do not believe I've been awake for long, so it is entirely possible I missed your Chiffon.

[crimson_general]

[Red Velvet seems to slump a bit, shoulders drooping. If his tail was long enough, it'd probably be tucked between his legs as well. That's not what he wanted to hear, but...nothing to really do about it, huh?]

I see... Understandable, I also have only recently awakened. Perhaps...p-perhaps we shall find him along the way, he is a quite clever and resourceful pup. [And that's not a lie!! Chiffon isn't Captain of the other Cakehounds for nothing! He's got moxie, for sure.] Come, let us make haste to proceed out of these tunnels...I can sense other beings here, and I would bargain they are not amicable to our presence in their territory.

[galaxyfarer]

[ah! he's being... invited along? Stardust's wings fluff up a bit and he floats a little closer to Red Velvet]

Yes, let us go together. I'm sure we will find your friend.

[he hopes! he starts to drift away, looking around for an exit]

[crimson_general]

[Well, Red velvet's not going to just leave him here!! It's dangerous enough even with his own combat experience. Plus, having two sets of eyes to look for Chiffon would be extremely helpful...and a literal bird's eye view would probably be the most helpful of all.

...O-Once they actually get outside, that is.]

I am truly grateful for any assistance you can provide - thank you, my good man. [And off they go!! It's slow-going, mostly because Velvet is not yet used to walking in this strange, heavy, hulking form, but also because there are a plethora of extremely bizarre creatures here. Ones he's never seen before!! That can spit fire, shoot out boulders, or cleave their way into the earth like it was softened butter... Thankfully, those long, powerful claws he's got on both arms do wonders, as do the teeth, but by the time the duo start to see daylight, Velvet is exhausted.

Worse yet, there've been no signs of Chiffon, not even a crumb.]

[galaxyfarer]

[it is definitely an eye-opening experience. Stardust is both alarmed and enchanted by this new world that is unfolding before him. he floats along, keeping up with his companion]

You know, I don’t believe any of these creatures are made of desserts.

[wait until he sees Alcremie. he will be so confused]

At least we are out of the mountain. It was hot down there.

[he feels… thirsty? like he craves water? unusual]

[crimson_general]

[It certainly is very new, and very vexing as well - all these new and unusual creatures he's never seen before, and none of them seem to be dessert creatures, just as Stardust stated. Where in the world have they found themselves, if that's the case? Certainly not anywhere on Earthbread...]

I'm beginning to think you're right. If and when night falls, if the stars and constellations are different than what we know to navigate...we may not be on Earthbread at all.

[Which is deeply troubling. What about his home? His hounds?? What about Chiffon and Cakeberus??? Who will make sure they're safe and taken care of properly?]

Our priority now should be to find a settlement of some sort. My friend, can you fly high enough to see if anything appears in the distance?

[galaxyfarer]

[not on Earthbread... that sounds about right. though Stardust Cookie did not want to say it aloud]

Certainly.

[he unfurls his sparkling wings and flies upward, taking care not to float or drift on the breeze. it's cold, but he's used to space, so he doesn't seem to be affected. he looks around, and sees a town in the distance. slowly, he floats back down]

I do see a settlement up ahead. This way.

[crimson_general]

[It is a very concerning thought, and one Red Velvet really does not want to believe possible, but what other explanation is there? What sort of fiendish magic could transform a Cookie so deeply and thoroughly into these strange beasts? Hopefully they can get answers once they find proper civilization.

Velvet nods, watching the avian creature takes the the skies, silently admiring the coloration of his wings, but it's a fleeting thought. When Stardust returns with good news, the Lycanroc seems to perk up. Oh, thank goodness!! While he's extremely capable of camping out and "roughing it", Velvet would vastly prefer a bed, and a proper breakfast.]

Thank you, my friend, your skills are invaluable on this journey. Please, lead the way forward. [And off they go!! The walk isn't nearly as dire as navigating the lava caverns, though the volcanic valley is still arid and very dry...though Red Velvet doesn't seem bothered much by it at all. Seems his hide and fur may be tough, and resistant to the heat (because rock type). It's only when they are perhaps fifty or so meters away does Velvet call for his new companion, pointing out a sentry station close by the settlement.]

It would be wise to make our presence known there, before we enter.

[galaxyfarer]

[it is nice to be out of that hot cave! Stardust Cookie looks pleased as he continues to fly, watching for signs from his new friend. another cookie, how fortunate!

he returns to the land when Red Velvet beckons to him, hovering just a few feet up above the ground]

Ah, I see! We can tell them we are new and, perhaps, they can give us some answers.

[crimson_general]

[Another Cookie, yes...thank goodness. However, Red Velvet still hopes there are other Cookies here as well who have been transformed, and there's a way he can get back to where he needs to be. The culmination of Dark Enchantress Cookie's plans is about to reach fruition, and he needs to be there, as one of her loyal servants. Especially if those horrid Beasts are to all gather in one place...ugh.]

Indeed, and it would behoove us to not make enemies in foreign lands. [He begins forward at an even pace, starting to get the hang of this long, weirdly lanky body. In can even go on all fours, albeit a bit clumsily. But he won't run, there's no need to right now, and he raises a bit ol' furry paw once they get withing shouting distance of the sentry station, where a few more strange creatures seem to be on constant lookout.

And almost immediately, Velvet's more relaxed and calm demeanor shifts, and he's back to being serious, guarded, and a little intimidating. This is the military commander speaking.]

Hail, officers!! My companion and I are new to these lands, having only just arrived in a rather precarious state. We seek sanctuary here - room and board, and provisions. May we pass safely through?

[galaxyfarer]

[more strange creatures! Stardust looks amicable, despite not having a mouth that can smile. the patrat converse with each other for a moment, but then allow them to pass through, saying that Skull Town is just up ahead.

Skull Town. that doesn't sound very friendly, Stardust thinks. but he won't judge before seeing it. apparently the Mayor of Skull Town is sending out rescue pokémon to assist in gathering the new creatures that are still trapped in the cave, which makes Stardust feel better.

still...]

...Po... ké... mon? I have not heard of this word before.

[he glances to Velvet]

[crimson_general]

[Skull Town...not place Velvet is familiar with, but he really hasn't made a point to memorize every place on Earthbread - his geographical knowledge is certainly lacking in that regard, but he can at least point out the various places of note - each Hero's kingdom, Beast Yeast, and the Creme Republic, of course...as well as a few other lesser known regions, but ones he's been fascinated by due to history, mostly.

He's already walking forward when given permission, quiet as he normally is, expression a bit stoic and unreadable, at least until they make it well past the sentry post, and closer toward Skull Town - Velvet can already see the tops of buildings coming into view, though they look a bit...rudimentary.]

...Nor I. It is not a dessert creature I have yet encountered, but if they are used for rescue, I would assume they are well trained. [Dog?? 👀👀]

[galaxyfarer]

[luckily for Velvet, a very specific ghost type pokemon comes to visit them and check on them, leading them off to Skull Town properly. Stardust marvels at the new creature, even if he suddenly feels a little sleepy now.

but once they are in Skull Town, his mood picks up. there are all kinds of creatures walking around, creatures that seem to be different from them. the world of pokemon!]

Fascinating!

[crimson_general]

[DOG.

Velvet's stumpy tail immediately starts to wag at the mere sight of such a dear, sweet pup, and it takes all his willpower to not reach out and attempt to pet it...though he certainly does feel a bit odd in its presence - a little sluggish, kind of tired, but he equates that to just being hungry and a little dehydrated from the caves. Clearly nothing to do with the perfect sweet angel guiding their way - no sirree!!

As they arrive in the town proper, however, Velvet is also looking around, seeing so many of these strange creatures, each one of them so vastly different from one another. Some look like actual beasts, while others are mechanical? Then others look like plants, rocks...specters... It's sort of dizzying how many species there are.]

...Let us find a place to stay. Or perhaps a bite first.

[Where do adventurers and travelers always congregate in these types of situations?? You know it!! The tavern/inn!]

[galaxyfarer]

[the ghost dog leaves them for now, after pointing out where the nearest inn is. Stardust thanks the pokemon and waves to it with a cloudy wing. almost instantly, he feels... better? less sluggish. hm!]

A bite would be nice. I'm feeling rather thirsty, thanks to that cavern. Perhaps we may find out more about the locals.

[these creatures...!]

[crimson_general]

[Hm!! How very odd - Velvet also feels like someone opened a widow of fresh air all of a sudden, the oppressive weight on his shoulders leaving him when that precious, darling, fuzzy baby bounces off without a care in the world.]

Indeed. Hopefully they will accept work for hospitality as well...

[Since they don't have any money... Not unless Stardust is keeping a coin pouch tucked away in the fluff of his wings or something. Anyway, Velvet is pushing his way inside the inn, holding the door open for his companion.]