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

[crimson_general]

[Wait...dough? Red Velvet's ears perk a bit, and his tail actually starts to wag, as short and stumpy as it may be.]

Permit me a moment before we walk, madam, but...you spoke a moment prior of 'dough', and I can't help but ask - do you happen to hail from Earthbread?

[He really, really hopes so. It's been so strange feeling like he's the only dessert creature in this place. So...so much more ostracizing even than being part Cake, actually.]

[creamcottonshepherd]

Hmm?

[Oh!!! Is that a wagging tail?? She's familiar enough with little cake hounds to know what a wagging tail looks like-]

Why...I do! From the Creamcake Mountains specifically dear, are you at all familiar? [She sounds quite excited! Don't let a dear old lady down, Red Velvet!]

[crimson_general]

[Red Velvet has no idea he's basically wearing his emotions on his sleeve right now - th-through his tail... - but it doesn't really matter. He's relieved to meet another Cookie here, feeling even more awkward than ever before with the Witch-like "humans" he's met and talked to prior. And considering his involvement in Dark Enchantress' mission, which ties closely to the Witches...hm. Definitely a bit awkward. Strange, how he's now seeking out the company of Cookies rather than Cakes, but it can't really be helped. Anything familiar is welcome.]

Well...I'll admit my geographical knowledge is somewhat lacking these days, but that is within the confines of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, is it not? Or at the very least, the more frosted region of Crispia.

[creamcottonshepherd]

Ohhh!! Quite close yes, that's much better than most tend to guess dear!

[She sounds incredibly excited by this.] You'd be amazed at how many would stumble into the village, not even realizing where they were. Quite a number were seeking out the Kingdom in fact...unaware that they had taken a very, very wrong turn to say the least.

The village you see, sits in a rather small valley, technically within the range of mountains itself. The Kingdom however, is situated more properly within a coastline valley- though they do maintain control of the outermost mountains I believe.

[With a happy sigh though, she brings a few leaves to her face.] Ohhh but it just warms my heart to know I'm not alone here...it's been a wonderful adventure certainly, but such a strange experience.

[Alcremie aside, there's not really any 'dessert' Pokemon to balance out how weird it's been to see cookies in store fronts.]

[crimson_general]

[And, at the praise, perhaps unknown by the Lycanroc himself, his tail begins to wag again. His studies really have been a bit scattered, considering his upbringing was mainly at the hands of Dark Enchantress Cookie since she took him in, gave him his replacement arm, and bid him to become general of her army of Cake Beasts. He only picked up a practiced and heightened education on his own volition, being an enjoyer of books and learning...or really, being useful and intelligent.]

Then I suppose your village must have been like an oasis of sorts - a reprieve from the ice and snow of the mountains and those harsh lands.

[He smiles and listens intently, walking at a slow pace with the kindly elder and enjoying her stories very, very much. He's equally pleased to find another Cookie here, of course, but he does worry a bit. Will she be alright on her own?]

Yes, it certainly has been quite the, ah...adventure. One I dop hope does not linger past its novelty. I - and I assume you as well - have much to get back on Earthbread. But, for the time being, it would be my pleasure to accompany you for however long you need to get your bearings, madam.

[creamcottonshepherd]

Very much so. Especially with dangerous monsters prowling those mountains, hohohooh...

[It's difficult to tell if Cotton is joking. Surely she is joking though, right? ....Yes??

She gives no indication one way or another, simply smiling as her leaves rustle.] I do indeed. I may not have children or grandchildren of my own, but I do find myself caring for the youngsters of the village as if they were. Not to mention, there will be the lights to put on the tree again this year!

I do wonder if a similar thing could happen here...it seems already quite cold, though I don't know how best to judge that in this new form.

[crimson_general]

Dangerous monsters?

[Velvet blinks, definitely unable to discern if that's a joke or just an elder's tall tales meant to scare children (and some adults). Velvet is keenly aware that the Dark Cacao Kingdom and its borders are a deeply harsh territory, frigid nearly all year round, with blistering winds and blizzards coming out of no where. Plus, the Licorice Sea and its brood of oozes and various creepy-crawlies...well. He knows a lot about that, considering he and the other Cookies of Darkness were involved with creating an amalgamation of those oozes to breath through the Kingdom's walls and cull some of those obnoxious Watchers.

Ahem.]

Oh, yes, the Lantern Festival!! I have heard of it, though only in passing. I'm certain you could bring that tradition here, madam, and I would be honored to join you. [If she stays that long, that is. If not, he'll hang a lantern in her honor, of course.]

[creamcottonshepherd]

Hohohohoho...oh yes~! They say a creature made entirely of ice lurks outside the village after all...!

[Ah, it's a story then! PROBABLY???] ...but of course, such beings can't well come near all of the heat within the village limits, so it would be quite safe.

[But oh!! The way her face brightens, hearing someone who recognizes the festival.] Ohh...Oh, goodness- this is the first anyone here has understood what I referred to in the slightest...you bring a tear to my eye dear, it's so wonderful to know even one other understands.

Do you think so, though? I do have to wonder... ...oh, but I suppose the tradition has become quite different from what it was when I started it, hasn't it, [she muses, seemingly without focus.]

[crimson_general]

I see... Such threats would be rather cumbersome to meet while also contending with the harshness of nature itself. I am glad such a creature poses no risk to your home, madam.

[Velvet really isn't sure if said creature even is dangerous or not, but considering that most snow-beasts he and the other Cookies of Darkness have com across while skulking about the Dark Cacao Kingdom and the villages surrounding it...he would wager it's not particularly friendly (and oh, how wrong he is).]

It is my pleasure, madam. I admit I am not one to partake in the frivolity of the gift-giving aspect of the winter holiday, nor do I...expressly believe in those tales. Perhaps as a younger Cookie, I may have, but. [He had a lot of fuckin' trauma growing up, oops.] I may be past that point in time. ...I prefer the tranquility of the lanterns, if I may honestly say so. Large and loud crowds of people... I find them grating.

So yes, I believe such a gift would be most welcome in a place like this. It's quaint and small enough that I think such traditions would suit it well. But you said...you started the tradition? Is that truly so?

[creamcottonshepherd]

Hmhmhmmh...! Oh indeed. Though I do think I would like to meet one at least once, before my time comes. It seems very exciting...

[It's something alright!]

Ohhhh yes...it was quite odd to watch it spread around me, but I find myself a little honored I'll admit. I was a very, very young cookie back then though. I had wanted to leave a way for my dear friend to find his way back to me from his travels through the world, now that he was a spirit on the wind. For a time, he shared such tales...

[...But something must have changed, she supposes, because eventually she stopped seeing him.]

...I believe he must still be out there even now, so I don't miss a single year with my lantern.

[crimson_general]

[Red Velvet blinks, staring down his long snoot at this old woman for a moment before laughing softly.]

You are very bold indeed, Madam Cotton Cookie.

[Had she been an adventurer when she was younger, more freshly baked? It certainly sounds like it, as Velvet quiets up again to listen to the story as they walk leisurely. Velvet is at least trying to get a mental map going of the immediate area, especially if they're meant to stay here for some time.]

A spirit? [...Ah. Crumbled then. How very tragic, and with a slow nod of his head, the much larger Lycanroc offers his quiet condolences.] Well, if he is traveling the world, I can only imagine it would take quite some time to return from wherever he may be - the lands beyond Crispia are...quite an experience, and a challenge to face for any Cookie. But if you have left a guiding light for him to return to, then I am sure he will find his way back to it, and to you, dear lady.

[creamcottonshepherd]

Hohohohhh, I do like to keep on my toes at the least! [she cheers, only to shake her head at the lycanroc.]

I can see from your face dear that you can tell what that means...but I do truly know he's enjoying himself more now than when he was coughing away in his bed. Whenever I made my way to visit the Frost Queen with a new gift, she always had nothing but good to say about his adventures! So I know that even if I can't quite see him now, and even if his journey is long...

[Well.] ...Well. You took the words right from my mouth I suppose. I'll light the way, even if I can't tell.