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Phantasmal Rift Mods ([personal profile] phantasmods) wrote in [community profile] phantasmemes2018-03-01 07:08 am
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TEST DRIVE 002

Hello, and welcome to the second test drive for Phantasmal Rift!

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 is based in the Fissure nearest to the Station, same as last time! But this time you're coming at the shoreline from a bit of a different angle...

If you really want, though, you can reuse prompts from the first test drive! In particular, there's still landsharks around the new area of beach. Otherwise, here's three new prompts!

OPTION ONE: OCEAN BREEZE

The cavern you find yourself in smells of the sea... And looks like it, too. Large crystal formations, usually in blue or a light yellow-green, glow along the walls and ceiling of the cavern, providing more than enough light to see by. The whole place is damp and a little chilly, and occasional pools of water rise and fall with gentle waves - some outside tide flowing in through underground passages.

More chilling, though, is the wind that flows through the caves, never ever quite going still but varying wildly in intensity. In fact, characters will discover that they have some control over the intensity of the wind - or perhaps some lack of control, depending on their exact response to waking up in an unexpected place. Strong emotions of any sort make the wind stronger in turn; while calm leaves the wind gentle, panic will send it whipping around corners and drive already-distressed characters to take whatever shelter they can, lest they get blown into some cavern wall.

Other than the wind and the crystals, the caverns seem mostly normal for a place that's clearly underwater at least part of the time. The lower reaches of the caverns are full of barnacles, mussels, and other shellfish that await the rising of the tide for their survival, as well as the occasional crab (some of them surprisingly large, up to about the same of a man's head), and bits of seaweed catch on rocky corners.

OPTION TWO: SAY NYA

What's that sound? Is it... a cat?

... No, it's not. It's a meowing seagull, for some reason.

Except for their strange vocalizations (all feline in nature), the seagulls found outside around the cliffs and beaches are all reasonably normal. (Specifically, anyone familiar with the Gulf Coast on Earth will find that they look much like Laughing Gulls in their black-headed plumage.) They're normal-sized and not at all afraid of people...

In fact, they're so unafraid of people, that they'll come right up close to you and nick your stuff! And not just food, mind. Anything they can carry that isn't attached is fair game to be taken and winged up the cliffs to their roosts. Magpies have nothing on these guys.

Good luck chasing them down for whatever it is they've taken, or climbing up the cliffs to get it back. It belongs to the seacats now.

OPTION THREE: ALL THAT GLITTERS

This gravel beach is absolutely splendid in the sunlight, looking like someone shattered a thousand stained glass windows and left the wreckage to sparkle. Protected from the worst of the waves by some rocky outcrops in the distance, the water here is gentle and doesn't disturb the beach much.

Luckily, the glitter does not, in fact, come from glass. Close examination will reveal that the gravel of the beach contains an impressive number of fragments of some kind of hard scale - about a third, if one's going by volume. They vary in size from a large thumb-nail down to nothing, and most transparent in every color imaginable. They're quite hard, and more likely to break into fragments than they are to be ground down by the sand.

But what is it that these scales come from? The answer can be found only at night, when the sun's light disappears. Then, large reptilian-looking creatures - somewhere between snakes and fish - make their way out of the crannies hidden in the rocks around and across from the small beach. In many different colors, they glow beneath the waves, some internal light filtered through their skin and scales to make each appear a different color.

The serpents aren't violent, at least for now, but given that the largest of them is at least twenty feet long... Perhaps it's best not to hassle them.

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-04 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Is sound distorted, too? That would explain the meowing seagulls.

[Some words are more loaded than others to Julian and, by extension, his adoptive parents. That said, he can appreciate the apology.] It's alright. I just would rather not have to talk about my, um, powers, with people. I'm more mundane than anything else, most of the time.

When you say supernatural, what exactly do you mean?
foolishjustice: (Strange isn't it?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-03-04 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I think the seagulls are just unusual fauna. There are also sharks that can swim through the sand.

What exactly I mean by the supernatural...varies. I'm a former human, and we also have a demon and I believe two yokai. There are a handful of otherwise ordinary humans with magical or psychic abilities, as well.

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-05 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
Then maybe we should get off the beach before we get eaten.

[He tries to find a question that wouldn't make him sound damaged or too hopeful and settles on,] And everyone's okay with each other? The ordinary people are alright with former humans and demons and yokai?
superstylishsquid: (Not bad...but not great.)

Alastor | Viewtiful Joe/Devil May Cry

[personal profile] superstylishsquid 2018-03-05 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Don't Be Such a Blowhard]

[A powerful and dignified demon does not panic when he finds himself waking up in a new location. A powerful and dignified demon gets annoyed when he finds himself waking up in a new location. Unfortunately for a powerful and dignified demon, the windy caves don't care what kind of emotions travelers are feeling.

As Alastor grumbles and wipes flecks of dampness from the cave floor off his visor, what was a faint breeze picks up into a loud wind, whistling through crevices and tugging at his wings. It's a bit loud for his tastes, especially when he's trying to think, so he holds up a hand and flicks his wrist in the opposite direction the air is blowing in.]


Quiet down, would ya? Stupid wind makes it hard to think...

[Well, the wind does quiet down...but it doesn't stop like he intended it to. The lighter breeze still tugging at him earns a frown of frustration...which only causes the wind to pick back up.]

Hey, I said quiet down!

[It turns out, getting angry at his magic not working properly only causes the wind to howl more, pushing him back half a step from the unexpected force. But at least that brings the crystals in the walls to his attention, and he snaps off a chunk of one of the blue-green ones.]

Concentrated wind magic? Are these things actually overpowering my own powers? Yeesh...talk about the power of rock.

[Do You Sea What I Sea?]

[Nighttime finds Alastor sitting on the beach, perched atop a gathering of large rocks. His tail flicks behind him in irritation as he stares out at the ocean. The middle of nowhere isn't his favorite location at the best of times, but add not knowing where he is and not being able to get where he was by teleportation? Even worse.

He's muttering frustration to himself when the sun sets and a glow in the water catches his attention. Are those...?]


Sea serpents? Huh...Toto, I don't think we're in a superhero movie anymore.

[Okay, he already figured that. This doesn't even feel like Movieland at all...but glowing sea serpents, especially ones that don't seem like demons, aren't something he expected to see.]
Edited 2018-03-05 02:13 (UTC)
foolishjustice: (Crow-Simple deduction.)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-03-05 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not too concerned. So long as you pay attention for the shifting of the sand, they aren't particularly dangerous to someone who knows how to fight.

And, I haven't seen any conflict over the diversity. The worst I've seen is that the young woman who I believe is an alien has had some confusion regarding differences between her own planet and Earth, or similar planets.

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-05 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know how to fight, actually.

[He hums, tilting his head as he puts his earring back in. Hearing people talk about non-humans in such a positive way, as people, is new to him outside of his own family, and it's hard to process.] I guess I'm confused, too. I never thought humans could live with other species peacefully. That isn't how things worked out where I'm from.
foolishjustice: (Strange isn't it?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-03-05 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
Don't worry, I'm quite skilled in combat, and have offensive spells that are particularly effective against them.

[He brushes his hair back behind his mask with a concerned expression.]

It sounds as if you've had some unpleasant experiences, though. I can't say I have much of a point of reference outside of the people here, since humans are the only sapient species I'm aware of in my own world.

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-05 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
That's good. I guess I'll have to learn how to take on sand sharks while I'm here.

[Julian tilts his head forward, glancing down so his eyes are somewhat covered. He doesn't want to think about his unpleasant experiences. His therapist has told him that letting go of the past is crucial to moving on. But...]

Humans aren't the only sentient species on my world. They just wiped out most of the others. It's kind of complicated. I try to pass for human if I can. Actually, maybe - could you not tell anyone, about any of this? I don't want anyone to know until I'm sure it'll go over well.
dontcallmedeku: (Why hello there)

[personal profile] dontcallmedeku 2018-03-05 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Izuku nods along. He honestly finds the idea fascinating. What people dream about, what they want to do and be, their dreams. Dreams were important to everyone. Everyone had to have a drive if they wanted to succeed. Not having one only lead to despair and failure.]

I've heard of Cecti, succulents, and edible flowers but tree hybrids? What kind are there?

[He continued to smile. He was happy to talk to someone like this. He could talk to his classmates back home but there was always this air of deception to it. He couldn't be completely honest with them. Here, he had nothing to hide it seemed. At least until he found out if anyone from UA or the League was here too.]
founderinglight: ([hold])

1

[personal profile] founderinglight 2018-03-05 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
[The man he's come across is in a slightly dangerous position, back wedged against a set of blue crystals, supporting him as he gets a better look at the green ones...

...Up fairly near to the ceiling, in a bit of a wedge between the crystals and the cavern wall. How did you get up there, Izunia?

At least the wind seems calm, though it jerks a little at the sudden voice. The tall man shifts his position to actually look down at the young man standing (presumably) on the floor below.]


That depends - the caves in specific, or the area in general?

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-05 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Trees have species families whose veins are usually genetically similar enough that, if you rip bark off of saplings of trees from similar enough species and bind the wounds together, they grow into one tree. That's called Frankensteining trees, which is the base test for if species are similar enough to try to hybridize. My class is studying peach tree hybrids right now.

Theoretically, if trees with traits like disease resistance and high fruit bearing density can be crossed successfully, then the results should be able to produce more food for people, especially in regions where people are sorely lacking in other options for nutrition. It could help a lot of people.

[Izuku no, he'll talk botany at you until the sun sets. He wasn't used to having people even smile and nod along at the tree related talk, even though his parents did their best to pretend to be into it.]
foolishjustice: (Crow-Simple deduction.)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-03-05 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
I don't see why I wouldn't be able to keep it a secret. I can't see how you having shapeshifting abilities would be harmful to anyone here, so long as you don't use them in ways that inconvenience others.

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-05 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
I don't normally use them at all. I won't make any trouble, I promise.

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-05 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
[There's something he doesn't see every day. For a moment, he locks up, adrenaline slamming through him at the thought of another glasmpauki being here - it's a longshot, but it's not impossible, and when he was a little kid he used to pray one of his people would abduct him and take him back to the safety of their villages, away from the humans.

But no glasmpauki was ever that dark-haired and his hopes die before they're fully formed. The wind bursts into a gale briefly before dying out again as if nothing happened at all.]


Both would be nice. I think I should get out of the caves first, though, before the tide comes in.
dontcallmedeku: (Cute boi)

[personal profile] dontcallmedeku 2018-03-05 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
That sounds amazing. I wish I had a notebook and pen so I could write this down. That sounds like it could help a lot of people. I hope the research goes well.

Maybe you could continue it here? If we ever find people, that is. Maybe they have some kind of school here. I mean, if there is civilization, there should be education. Right?
have_hat_will_travel: (Quiet)

[personal profile] have_hat_will_travel 2018-03-05 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
"It is good to meet you. Welcome to the Rifts... Such as they are. Do you want to get to safety first, or see if we can get some proper loot from around here first?"
foolishjustice: (Crow-Simple deduction.)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-03-05 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
It's fine. I wasn't expecting you to be intending on causing trouble on purpose, I was just thinking in terms of the potential for the extra limbs unsettling people with phobias regarding insect or spider imagery.
founderinglight: ([my place plz])

[personal profile] founderinglight 2018-03-05 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think it comes up enough to fully block us in, so there's no rush if you don't mind wet feet.

[Probably, also, they didn't tend to set themselves with a cheerful smile quite so easily. Not that the sudden gale went unnoticed - for one thing, it blew the blue scarf around the man's neck up into his face - but, at least, he doesn't seem inclined to comment on it.]

They're a bit twisty, however, so it might be better if I lead you out. Just give me a moment...

[He puts both hands on the chunk of green crystal in front of him and jimmies it a little. Come on, come loose already.]
Edited 2018-03-05 03:11 (UTC)
dontcallmedeku: (Let's do this. One last fight.)

[personal profile] dontcallmedeku 2018-03-05 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
Izuku looked around and the beach. What kind of proper look could they find from this place? He reached into his pocket and pulled out the shattered pieces of glowing blue crystal he found.

"Something like this? Or is there more to this place than what I'm seeing? The idea of proper loot is making me curious. Can you tell me more about that?" If there was something of value here, he could stay to collect it. He had no money so perhaps getting something here would help him get adjusted here.
have_hat_will_travel: (Bored)

[personal profile] have_hat_will_travel 2018-03-05 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Pidonus sighed.]

... Perhaps. But you're not dressed for the environment, either.

Would you like to get to safety, first? Then we can converse more thoroughly.

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-05 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
There have been promising breakthroughs with lumber tree species in the past decade. It's not the most exciting work, but I really think we're on the verge of being able to do a lot of good in the world.

Maybe. The plants here may be different than what I'm used to. But it would be nice to be able to help people out while I'm here.
have_hat_will_travel: (Huhwhat?)

[personal profile] have_hat_will_travel 2018-03-05 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, we're in the middle of a kind of rift between worlds... So stuff from other worlds shows up here all the time." Pidonus shrugged. "So outings like this are a useful chance to get stuff - ranging from new weapons to tools to... Weird things. Given you usualy only show up with what you had on your person apparently..."
Edited 2018-03-05 03:08 (UTC)
dontcallmedeku: (I am a villain)

[personal profile] dontcallmedeku 2018-03-05 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Izuku nodded. Julian was the kind of person he wanted to help. He wanted to help people and Izuku would be willing to help in any way he could.]

I feel the same way. Let's help the people here together. In any way we can.

[personal profile] part_time_person 2018-03-05 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
[Is it obvious yet that he assumes most people who know about his powers would think of him as a troublemaker? Julian likes to think he's come a long way from his rough early childhood years, and he has, but some damage has been permanent.]

I understand. Spiders are bad omens in a lot of cultures, even without the phobias. I won't scare anyone. I know how to keep my head down.
have_hat_will_travel: (Huhwhat?)

Re: Alastor | Viewtiful Joe/Devil May Cry

[personal profile] have_hat_will_travel 2018-03-05 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
A... What?

[It was easy to miss the wing-flaps of a flying person if you weren't listening for them. Pidonus didn't mean to sneak up on people, but for a succubus like her, staying in the air was the safest way to get around - only landing to fight or investigate things.

Like new people.]


Welcome to the Rift...

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