phantasmods: (Default)
Phantasmal Rift Mods ([personal profile] phantasmods) wrote in [community profile] phantasmemes2018-12-07 12:25 am
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TEST DRIVE - BELLMARE MOUNTAINS

Hello and welcome to Phantasmal Rift's Test Drive Meme!

Test drive threads are assumed to be game canon for accepted characters unless otherwise noted, so don't feel like you'll have to introduce yourself a second time to everyone you meet! As an added bonus, participation in the test drive comes with the chance to earn up to two items of loot for your trouble! Characters who are accepted can earn one item for having a top level, and one for tagging out to someone else's top level! Your SWEET LOOT will be included with your acceptance notice.

Additionally, characters currently in game can earn themselves a piece of bonus loot for the dungeon by tagging people's top-levels on the test drive! Existing characters get their bonus loot along with the rest of their loot at the conclusion of the dungeon.

This test drive takes place in the Bellmare Mountain range, a chilly environment even when it's not locked in the dead of winter. Considering that November is just starting to bite - or is it, with the Fissure's time-displacement effect in place? - that makes for an extremely chilly reception for all of the new arrivals. If you're a person at risk of frostbite, you'd better hunker down in one of the scattered mountain cabins or find someone with extra snow gear, and quick.

Once you're a bit more warmed up, exploration of the area will reveal that it's largely abandoned, but there's still some evidence of past human habitation. Old chair lifts stand guard over untouched ski slopes, the remains of what was once a resort, and a handful of hiking paths twist back and forth through the mountain forests, the snow melting off them due to the magical crystals in the gravel that lines the paths.

LET IT SNOW

Chances are that, upon arriving, you find yourself outside in the snowfall. Hopefully you weren't from somewhere too terribly warm, but chances are that unless you were specifically in a cold environment before, you're going to be feeling the chill now. (Unless, of course, you're not human and don't get bothered by the cold. That happens.)

Fortunately, there are plenty of paths scattered around that are warm enough to keep the snow melted off of them - it shouldn't be that hard to stumble across one. The question then becomes, which way to shelter and civilization? You'll have to take a bit of a gamble, but it's almost certainly better than staying where you are and freezing.

LOCKED IN

How fortunate, then, that you were able to find shelter against the cold - at least for the time being. The wooden cabin is the exact opposite of luxury, but there's a bed and wood to make a fire in the fireplace, so you can't ask for terribly much else. Especially once night falls - or when the snow outside begins to fall in more than flurries - it's far better to be outside than in. Even if you can't figure out how to start the fire, the dimly glowing crystals that serve as fire starter will at least keep your hands warm.

Of course, with only a limited amount of shelter to go around in these mountain trails, it's fairly inevitable that you would have to share with someone... Hope they're friendly, otherwise this place is going to get awkward fast.

FROSTY THE - OH, MAN!

And if you're still running around outside, sooner or later you're almost certain to run into a deep patch of snow that rises up to meet you. These giant snowmen, ten feet tall and aggressive, stand up in response to anything that isn't the local wildlife approaching - and their goal is quite simple. Better watch out, because these guys are your own personal avalanche, seeking to bury you under themselves until either the cold or the weight saps the life out of you.

One's dangerous, but it's not uncommon to find them in groups of 3-5, either, which is where things start getting to be a problem. Luckily, it's possible to melt them down to nothing, or just blast them apart with pure force - the scattered snow won't rise again, at least not any time soon.
maru_kyutie: (This is fine.)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, there was Izanami-no-Okami, Hi-no-Kagutsuchi, and Mikuratana-no-Kami. And those are just the ones I've had personal experience with.
foolishjustice: (This pain...)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-12-07 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's quiet for a moment, then slowly reaches up with her free hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.]

And here I was thinking it was disturbingly common across multiple worlds. I'm not going to get a vacation when I finish with my current to-do list, am I?
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, the last time I actually had to deal with a god myself was four years ago. Granted the first time was five years ago, but I've still had four years of peace. And the Shadow Operatives helped my group with Hi-no-Kagutsuchi.
Edited 2018-12-07 21:47 (UTC)
whatsmytalentagain: (Why am I cosplaying?)

[personal profile] whatsmytalentagain 2018-12-07 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Grk-!

[He's collared and glared at, demanded to explain himself... In some way. There's a nod. Yeah, he can explain.

The nodding becomes more hurried after Maki mentioned that everyone saw... That.

He knows. He should be dead. He gently taps her hand a few times, silently begging her to let him go for a second. He needs to grab something before he can really tell her anything.]
foolishjustice: (This looks bad.)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-12-07 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
...The first evidence of Yaldabaoth appeared three years before his downfall. That's when I got access to the Metaverse, and gained a Persona.
maru_kyutie: (I have had it!)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
...So what, if there's an opening there's at least one god a year?! That's completely unfair! ...Wait, the Shadow Operatives did have a full year after Nyx before Izanami showed up... But Izanami had been setting things up in Inaba for a while... Can there be a time where the world isn't being menaced by some god or another please?!
foolishjustice: (This better not be decaf...)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-12-07 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
And Yaldabaoth can't have been new at that time, he must have already influenced the Velvet Room for me to have gone entirely without instruction as a Wildcard. Unless it was part of his bet with Igor...I only know about him secondhand, so I don't know if that's something he would be willing to agree to.
nohproblem: (Confusion mask)

[personal profile] nohproblem 2018-12-07 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[And then it's replaced with a totally different mask.]

Unfortunately, I can't do that right now.
maru_kyutie: (No way.)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
You're a Wild Card?!

[Suddenly, Rise stiffens.]

Let's talk more about this later. There's an incoming enemy reading from over by the slope.
foolishjustice: (Crow-Simple deduction.)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-12-07 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah...a Navigator?

[Blue fire leaps up over her face, resolving into a red mask. A moment later, the rest of her clothing erupts in similar flame for a brief second, leaving her standing in her Crow outfit...and making the female figure much more visible.]

Don't worry, I have two Personas that make me immune to ice. King Frost turns those aggressive snowmen I've been seeing into jokes.
maru_kyutie: (This is fine.)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, Himiko's mostly a navigational type. But jeez, I wish I nulled ice right about now.
foolishjustice: (Strange isn't it?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-12-07 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd cast Blue Wall on you if I had it, but King Frost is a little too offensively oriented. If we can find shelter, I do have magic I can use to start a fire.
reforgeries: (10)

[personal profile] reforgeries 2018-12-07 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I can hardly kick you out if you aren't in to begin with.

[But he moves aside, allowing her through.]

And is it considered "cute" to call yourself cute, these days? You may be jeopardizing your appeal.
tricksandstones: (pic#12711375)

[personal profile] tricksandstones 2018-12-07 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Can you make it less creepy, then?
reforgeries: (69)

[personal profile] reforgeries 2018-12-07 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[Archer pauses, one hand against the tree, looking over his shoulder.]

Sorry. [He scrutinizes Izunia from his perch, then adds:] I didn't think I'd be caught, but I see I've underestimated the locals.

[He turns to face him properly, leaning against the trunk and crossing his arms.]

Pardon the assumption, but you don't seem quite human. Should I be concerned?
maru_kyutie: (Even I can fight!)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Even if you do null ice, be on guard. It's almost here.

[The snowman comes bursting through the trees. It launches itself at: Rise.

But before the strike connects, Himiko appears between them and blocks the attack.]


Alright, if that's how you want to play it. Do I even need to say it? They're weak to fire. Light 'em up!

[Analysis complete, Himiko begins to change. Soon enough, she floats above the snow in her combat form.]

Let's go, Himiko!
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[She gladly enters the warm cabin.]

Cute is fine, it's calling yourself cool that's really dangerous.
foolishjustice: (Crow-What do you think?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-12-07 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well that's. Huh. She stares for a moment at the change, before conjuring a ball of regular looking fire in one hand and flinging it at the snowman. Her aim is on point, sending the mass of heat directly into its targets midsection.]

This is barely even a warmup.
reforgeries: (04)

[personal profile] reforgeries 2018-12-07 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
...Well, women who speak their mind are popular, too. I suppose I can't say it's bad to be honest.

[He takes the pot and returns to the door, scooping up a couple handfuls of fresh snow to scour and rinse the pot before turning it over to pour the melt out. Once he's deemed it clean, he adds much more snow and brings it to the stove.

Whatever he does when he bends to light it, it works. Fire catches and crackles merrily and Archer straightens once more.]


I didn't find much to eat, so we may have to make it last. I presume you're not from the area, either.

[What with the tiny skirt and all, in this weather.]
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[The fireball melts a good chunk of the snowman, obviously. It slumps down, trying to keep itself together.]

It's down! Time to start the show?
foolishjustice: (Crow-I had thought better of you.)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-12-07 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't think there's any point in trying to negotiate.

[She draws her laser sword, moving into position for a physical attack.]

Let's finish it off.
reforgeries: (Default)

[personal profile] reforgeries 2018-12-07 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, OKAY then.]

...Yes.

[He doesn't feel the need to elaborate.]

Are you a spirit of some kind?
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2018-12-07 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Alright, I always wanted to be part of an all out attack!

[Himiko's satellites surround the snowman and start rapid firing lasers at it for her part.]
reforgeries: (35)

[personal profile] reforgeries 2018-12-07 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, of course. Pardon me. I haven't had to worry about things like that in a long time.

[Once she's in, he stops holding the door for her and closes it firmly against the cold, then returns to the stove.]

I don't suppose you're hungry as well as lost and underdressed?
foolishjustice: (Crow-What do you think?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-12-07 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[While Crow darts forward in a blur of motion, kicking snow up as she rapidly turns for more passes with her blade, finishing in an upward strike that scatters the remains of the snowman with a jump that segues into a short victory dance.]

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