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

[truthdecided]

...Are you referring to the wind?

[Pulling... Interesting. Then again, if she isn't used to wind, perhaps that's why?]

[digitalprincess]

The wind? As in the difference in air pressure caused by various conditions? [She blinked. Then turned her head up to look at the sky.

Then she smiled at him.]

It feels nice, I like it.

[truthdecided]

...Yes, that is the scientific explanation for it.

[Well, more or less.

Yet, this mundane thing feels so novel to her... It gives him pause, and he takes a moment to gaze toward the distant spire.]

I take it you aren't accustomed to this sort of climate, then.

[digitalprincess]

[The smile widens at his confirmation. Then he got another little nod.]

Yes. There are different biomes such as the desert and the ice sectors. But the difference between them is purely visual... [Then she frowned.] Though I'm not sure what kind of climate this is. It...makes me feel tired, even if the wind is nice.

[truthdecided]

No temperature changes at all?

[Hmm... Some might appreciate that, if anything. The aesthetic of extreme climates without the drawbacks...

But that's beside the point. This isn't a matter of aesthetics, and she has fur, which can't help.]

Well, regardless, we should really get you out of here. Prolonged exposure to heat risks dehydration and heatstroke.

[digitalprincess]

[Aelita made a small noise. ]

Is that what this feeling is? The others tasked me with making sure my friend took in fluids to prevent that... [It was actually something Jeremie had expressed some frustration with. Needing to sleep, eat, go to class. He'd talk fondly of it most of the time but when he was stuck and had to step away...]

How do we leave? I can't sense which path is the right one.

[truthdecided]

I know the region, so I can guide you.

[But first, he needs to beat up some Tailwind to ensure they can move swiftly.]

But yes, you will want to stay hydrated and try to eat regular meals. Sleep is also important to maintain your energy.

[digitalprincess]

...Thank you. [It was such an odd feeling. On Lyoko she knew the paths, could follow the pulsations that travelled through it's sectors. Here? She couldn't feel anything through the ground and there was so much noise. So many things that were constantly changing and she wasn't sure what to focus on.

She took a small step forward as the wind started up again. Tilting her head at the bird.]

I've been told about what living beings need to do. But it's not something I've experienced... I don't know why it'd be a requirement for me now.

[Just staring at him with those big eyes.]

[truthdecided]

Because your form has changed, and you must now adjust to the needs of said form.

[Goodness, those are big, probing eyes.

No matter. He remains focused on the path ahead.]

For you, that would mean a diet largely of fruit and nuts. Seeds will also suffice.

[digitalprincess]

[They so big and green and imploring...]

Oh... I've never eaten before. What is it like? Jeremie has told me that...um sprouts are nice?

[Very unfortunate for Akechi that the person who'd normally do the tutorials isn't here.]

[truthdecided]

It's...

[Oh, hell. How does he even begin to explain this?]

You put the food in your mouth. Then you chew it. Then, once it's mashed up enough to not be a choking hazard, you swallow.

[Granted, as a bird, it works a bit differently for him, but that's beside the point.]

[digitalprincess]

[Nodding, but still looking utterly baffled.]

Masticating was explained to me, though I still don't fully understand... I guess I'll have to learn by doing. [Terrifying...But she glanced around.]

Should we be off?

[truthdecided]

Indeed. Just follow my lead.

[He doesn't move too fast, least, keeping his eyes out for anything hazardous along the way. Thankfully, the paths are fairly well marked, making the way back less of a chore than it might otherwise be.]

[digitalprincess]

Okay. [... Just like that. She followed him. Didn't even ask where he was going.

Though she did occasionally stop to look at the bones that littered the paths. Or when the geysers burst, just looking at the water spray with awe. Then backing away. Almost running up to hide from the water behind the rookidee.

Look, the digital sea was horrifying.]

[truthdecided]

All of this must be so novel to you.

[Not that he can entirely blame her. Even he makes a few stops to examine the strange bones...]

[digitalprincess]

[Her little dash to keep up was more of a waddle than a run. Her front paws moving awkwardly as she tried to jog normally... Then there was the long tail, that had been dragged along the ground.

At least she seemed to have control of her ears. They'd perked up. Listening around her, occasionally turning like a radar.]

Yes. It's... There's so much movement and sound here.

[Things were constantly changing.]

[truthdecided]

Your sharpened senses as a rodent likely only intensify them as well...

[He briefly glances down at those ears. Mice and other rodents are typically reliant on strong senses, as prey animals.

It would be one thing to turn human, but this is... more, in some regards.]

[digitalprincess]

Oh, is that what I am? [Just going to look at herself. Mostly at the long tail and the fuzzy, round tummy, the stumpy limbs...]

I was under the impression that rodents were more threatening.

CW for discussing animal aggression and diseases xD;

[truthdecided]

Oh, they can be.

[Chuckling, he searches for the perfect example.]

Despite their cute appearances, they can be quite aggressive when threatened. Wild rabbits, for instance, can easily tear through one another with their teeth and nails, to say nothing of the crested rat, which carries deadly toxins as a defense mechanism. And then, of course, there are the diseases they might carry. Rabies, or even the 'black death' that once wiped out large chunks of the population in Europe.

cw: ^^ and rats

[digitalprincess]

[Aelita was listening, pausing as her ears and whiskers drooped as she took in what he was saying.]

I was still researching human history when I woke up here... I don't think I like being a rodent...

[0/10 would rather be Kiwi.]

[truthdecided]

[...Ah, perhaps he took things a bit too far.]

Well, on the other hand, humans quite adore their pet rats, hamsters, and other assorted rodents. Many rodents, such as rats, are quite intelligent and surprisingly altruistic.

[Comfort is hardly his strong suit. However, he has done research. That... might help?]

puts cw, changes tag after so the cw was redudant....

[digitalprincess]

[She still seemed unsure, her fuzzy nose crinkling.]

Are you sure? They sounded rather ferocious when my friends spoke of them. They said they had to fight their way through a swarm with lunch trays and fire extinguishers.

[Not that Aelita was sure what those things were. But it sounded serious.]

[truthdecided]

That... sounds incredibly abnormal. Rats typically shy away from humans, even in heavily infested areas.

[What in the world? Having to fight a swarm directly sounds like something out of a horror movie.]

[digitalprincess]

[Aelita paused, tilting her head. Thinking about how to phrase it. This place was strange, but telling someone she just met about Xana, about being an AI within a computer didn't seem like the best idea.

So...]

I didn't see them. But I was told that they were hiding in walls at first. Once they were found, there was enough to fill the school courtyard.

[truthdecided]

[What? Do pardon his staring. That's... the mental image alone is unsettling enough.]

I have to wonder how the building wasn't condemned if there was that much of a rat problem.