Phantasmal Rift Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
phantasmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
phantasmemes2018-04-12 11:09 pm
phantasmods) wrote in phantasmemes2018-04-12 11:09 pm
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE 003
Hello, and welcome to the third 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 takes place in the Fissure known as Amesta Forest - a forest filled with silver mist and shrouded in eternal twilight, where your dreams become real! For a certain limited definition of real. This is significantly less awesome than it sounds. On the bright side, anyone within the mists will find themselves with no need to sleep, as though trapped in the same spring evening as the rest of the forest.
OPTION ONE: DREAM A LITTLE DREAM
This first option might happen to you just about anywhere. From the swirls of silver mist comes a shape - or perhaps more than one shape? Who knows, it's your dream -
Well, probably. It could also be someone else's.
Those who stay too long in any one part of the mist will find their subconscious minds influencing it into shapes - the exact sort of things that appear in their dreams. As with their real dreams, the details are sometimes strange - too much detail, or not enough, depending on where your focus is. The character who 'created' the dream specter will instantly understand what it's supposed to be, but other viewers might have some difficulty with it.
Fortunately for those of you prone to violent nightmares, these dream figures are incapable of doing harm - any blows struck by them simply leave behind the dampness of walking through thick mist. A hard enough blow will similarly disperse them - or, in most cases, you can simply move quickly and leave them behind.
OPTION TWO: THE MOVEMENTS OF THE TREES
A forest filled with mist is honestly a kind of spooky place, isn't it?
Well, it's about to get spookier, when you notice that there's a tree... somewhere there wasn't a tree, before. Or maybe it's that you were looking around and realized that a tree wasn't there here there was one before, instead leaving behind only a round, torn-up patch of earth from where the roots were buried.
Either way, there's only one conclusion to be drawn - the trees are moving.
Those who pay close attention will soon realize that it's only one kind of tree that moves - an absolutely unfamiliar kind, with mist-silver bark and thin, almost translucent leaves in large handlike shapes. They aren't very tall, and their branches split low to the ground, the structure something like a less crooked Japanese maple. The Wanderwoods seem prone to following specific people, usually only moving when out of sight, though you might catch them shuffling along if you have quick reflexes for looking over your shoulder.
What do they want? Well, nothing, really. They're just attracted to sapient beings and, especially, the way the mist forms into their dreams. So while they won't do anything in particular to the characters themselves, anyone with a dream-form hanging around them might find that manifestation suddenly papered in thin, grabbing leaves... and swallowed up.
OPTION THREE: WHAT NOW IS FOUND?
Not all of the forest is trapped in eternal spring. One part of it is held in exactly the opposite - a brilliantly colored autumn morning, just before dawn, with the trees overhead colored in brilliant reds and oranges. Leaves drift down in a slow breeze, and pile up in random places among the trees (which never seem to run out of leaves to drop), and silver pools of water gather at the bases of the trees and in any other depressions, their surfaces perfectly still mirrors.
The mist is quite a bit thinner here, too, which allows you to see... What is that familiar shape in the distance, between the trees?
While dream manifestations are uncommon in the region of Fall's Heart, it's not only dreams that manifest here. Instead, characters will see the figures of those they've lost - instantly recognizable, but unreachable and nearly impossible to catch, running through the trees heedless of how you call after them. It's impossible to catch up to them by mundane means, and those who use supernatural means to do so -
- will find that, at their touch, the vision crumbles into silvery mist-water, forming another of those perfect, reflective pools at their feet.
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 Fissure known as Amesta Forest - a forest filled with silver mist and shrouded in eternal twilight, where your dreams become real! For a certain limited definition of real. This is significantly less awesome than it sounds. On the bright side, anyone within the mists will find themselves with no need to sleep, as though trapped in the same spring evening as the rest of the forest.
OPTION ONE: DREAM A LITTLE DREAM
This first option might happen to you just about anywhere. From the swirls of silver mist comes a shape - or perhaps more than one shape? Who knows, it's your dream -
Well, probably. It could also be someone else's.
Those who stay too long in any one part of the mist will find their subconscious minds influencing it into shapes - the exact sort of things that appear in their dreams. As with their real dreams, the details are sometimes strange - too much detail, or not enough, depending on where your focus is. The character who 'created' the dream specter will instantly understand what it's supposed to be, but other viewers might have some difficulty with it.
Fortunately for those of you prone to violent nightmares, these dream figures are incapable of doing harm - any blows struck by them simply leave behind the dampness of walking through thick mist. A hard enough blow will similarly disperse them - or, in most cases, you can simply move quickly and leave them behind.
OPTION TWO: THE MOVEMENTS OF THE TREES
A forest filled with mist is honestly a kind of spooky place, isn't it?
Well, it's about to get spookier, when you notice that there's a tree... somewhere there wasn't a tree, before. Or maybe it's that you were looking around and realized that a tree wasn't there here there was one before, instead leaving behind only a round, torn-up patch of earth from where the roots were buried.
Either way, there's only one conclusion to be drawn - the trees are moving.
Those who pay close attention will soon realize that it's only one kind of tree that moves - an absolutely unfamiliar kind, with mist-silver bark and thin, almost translucent leaves in large handlike shapes. They aren't very tall, and their branches split low to the ground, the structure something like a less crooked Japanese maple. The Wanderwoods seem prone to following specific people, usually only moving when out of sight, though you might catch them shuffling along if you have quick reflexes for looking over your shoulder.
What do they want? Well, nothing, really. They're just attracted to sapient beings and, especially, the way the mist forms into their dreams. So while they won't do anything in particular to the characters themselves, anyone with a dream-form hanging around them might find that manifestation suddenly papered in thin, grabbing leaves... and swallowed up.
OPTION THREE: WHAT NOW IS FOUND?
Not all of the forest is trapped in eternal spring. One part of it is held in exactly the opposite - a brilliantly colored autumn morning, just before dawn, with the trees overhead colored in brilliant reds and oranges. Leaves drift down in a slow breeze, and pile up in random places among the trees (which never seem to run out of leaves to drop), and silver pools of water gather at the bases of the trees and in any other depressions, their surfaces perfectly still mirrors.
The mist is quite a bit thinner here, too, which allows you to see... What is that familiar shape in the distance, between the trees?
While dream manifestations are uncommon in the region of Fall's Heart, it's not only dreams that manifest here. Instead, characters will see the figures of those they've lost - instantly recognizable, but unreachable and nearly impossible to catch, running through the trees heedless of how you call after them. It's impossible to catch up to them by mundane means, and those who use supernatural means to do so -
- will find that, at their touch, the vision crumbles into silvery mist-water, forming another of those perfect, reflective pools at their feet.
no subject
[He genuinely doesn't understand. Knowing of another world, though he never got to see it for himself, was one thing. Shifting timelines, people from alternate realities? That's something he's never experienced, so he isn't even remotely aware that that's going on right now.
He swallows thickly, stinging hands falling to his sides. At the words, he gives... a chuckle that is utterly broken.]
Was it worth having hundreds of people killed, ruining the lives of hundreds more and terrorizing thousands, you mean?
[God, and that's only the tip of the iceberg. He disgusts himself.]
... or are you talking about my son? [He looks to the tree, gaze laden heavily with guilt and shame.]
no subject
...I really don't know.
[His thoughts aren't clear enough for him to discern what he wants to ask in specifics.]
I imagine you've read books before. Some that you've read for the first time. Some that you've read to the end.
If your bookmark is at the end of the story, mine's... not there yet. Is the easiest way I can put it. It's somewhere in the middle.
For me, your orders to make your own son kill me-- they weren't followed through on thanks to a sudden disappearance, so your lackeys took his place.
Through that alone, a lot has changed.
[There.. is a genuine desire to make Shido understand. He's not sure what he's looking for, but Shido fathoming the differences is important to him.]
Thanks to just that one difference, I'm lucky to even be cognizant enough to talk to you. Your underlings decided that extended torture before execution was more than a necessary.
[His gaze is cold, and yet it burns with unbridled rage. The trespasses to his person are unforgivable.]
From what I understand, the Joker from your time probably hasn't suffered possibly permanent brain damage as a result of what your orders put him through. I'm sure that would be easily noticed if he had, hm?
[Even if Shido was unaware of the goings-on in his own palace, certainly he'd seen "Joker" in person.]
All I'm glad about is that you finally feel guilt for what you've done.
But it doesn't change the fact that I still hate your guts for what you did to Goro.
[But, for what he did to him? In the beginning? A blessing in disguise that he'll never thank him for.]
no subject
But there is something he can understand... torture.. the words have him actually cringing in horror and guilt. Though, at that point... he genuinely had no personal greivance against the thieves. In fact, they had been of great service to him, however unwittingly. Perhaps that was just the nature of the people who he'd hired, and that wouldn't surprise him...
Permanent brain damage... fucking hell. He swallows thickly, gaze falling to the ground. Though, hah— he does notice that first-name basis. They're... that close, are they?
At least something good came of all this... no thanks to him.]
As you rightfully should. I won't ask for your or anyone's else forgiveness. I don't expect that I'll ever deserve it.
[He looks away, blinking hard, tensing a bit.]
Nor would I fault you for wanting revenge, though I hardly expect you need my permission.
[...yeah, he's definitely bracing himself to get beat up. And he's not planning on fighting back, at all...]
no subject
[That's as close to an acknowledgement as it gets. He sees the way the man tenses up. How many times has he done that, himself?]
...Attacking a guy who looks like he won't fight back is pathetic. I'm not here to do that.
[He's only here to talk. Besides, his balance is partially fucked. Even now, he has to shift his weight a little just to keep from tilting over. And it's probably noticeable from the way he tries to hide that he has to do so to stay upright.]
...I'll get my revenge eventually, but not from the you that's here in front of me right now.
There'd be no point, and it wouldn't make me happy even if I did.
[He'd just turn that much closer into his parents. Ew.]
I just happened to see a guy freaking out over an illusion, and figured I'd offer some peace of mind, since I could. That's all.
no subject
... he does notice that he seems a little unsteady on his feet, now that he's watching him. Perhaps he's injured or something and trying to play it off?]
You wouldn't rather me suffer?
[For now, he'll act as though he doesn't notice the unsteadiness. If it shows signs of getting worse? Well, he doesn't... know quite what he'll do. What he should do. Perhaps he'll just... let instinct take over.]
no subject
And I refuse to become my parents. Or you.
[...Shit. It's really tilting. He feels like he's on a capsizing boat. He looks through his peripheral vision for something to nonchalantly lean against.
[But there's nothing to grab. He shifts his footing slightly, one foot giving a minor slide back, to slightly widen it. Just a little. There's nothing else to be done for the balance issues.
[But shifting his footing isn't enough, so he forcibly sits himself down (okay, it's just 99% falling, and just enough coordination to not land in a heap on himself,) one hand going to his head while the other braces on the ground while he waits for the world to stop tilting to and fro.]
Ngh...
no subject
He looks unwell, and he can't even stand upright anymore. Shido doesn't move, though— what could he do, honestly? ... he could carry him, if he absolutely had to, but somehow he doesn't think such an action would be appreciated right now... and carry him to where, even?
He just breathes out evenly.]
Are you injured? [. . .] Is this the brain trauma you were mentioning?
no subject
[He needs a few minutes.]
no subject
I'm sorry.
[An apology will do nothing. It won't heal his injury, and it will not help him. But he still deserves that much, even if it wasn't Shido's direct order. Shido didn't play with his food. Strictly speaking, he wasn't really a sadist. He had always been goal-oriented, and to him, torture of the Phantom Thieves' leader when he was meant to die served no purpose except as a waste of time.]
If there is... any way I can be of aid, or make it up to you, let me know.
[More likely, what the boy probably wants is for him to stay as far away as physically possible. But even so, he feels beholden to offer. There are many things he will never be able to make right, but that is no excuse not to try.]
no subject
[Shido's words muddle so much he can barely hear him. Shit. The dose wasn't wearing off already, was it?
[He tries to glance up, only to actually tilt and fall over onto his side. His unbalanced state lingers, his fingers digging into the dirt to try to find purchase and stand up again. Rolling onto his back is a bad idea; if the nausea continues, he doesn't want to have a mess all over himself, so he doesn't do that.
[His pride absolutely burns. His thoughts scream at him, trying to will his body into proper motion.
[So now, as awkward as it is, Akira doesn't say a damned thing, keeps any and all sounds at bay other than those that he can't: his fingers and hands shifting and scratching on the dirt as he tries to right himself with all the grace of a prone turtle.
[Except, turtles have more coordination right now than he does.]
no subject
A desire to protect.
The boy didn't ask for help. He may not even want his help. Perhaps he'll hate Shido just for being so bold. It matters not. He is suffering, and from the way his hands scrabble against the dirt, quite distressed. His body will not move the way he wants it to...
It must be terrifying.
He finally gets up and walks over. The question is, how does he do this...? There's a tree nearby, one of the unmoving ones, though he hesitates to prop him against any tree after what he had just witnessed. Luckily, there appears to be an alternative: a huge mossy boulder set into the ground. But it's not close enough that he won't have to do a substantial amount of dragging to actually bring him over.
Goddamnit. Sigh...]
... I apologize.
[Guess who's awkwardly scooping you up, Akira? He'll... try to make this as quick and painless as possible, at least, by hurrying over to the rock and setting him back down, carefully, with his back against it.]
Don't struggle so much. Rest and conserve your energy. Your health is more important than your pride.
no subject
[Fortunately, nothing happens. He's set down, his hand still clinging on with strength that the rest of his body lacks. It's a white-knuckled grip even as he sags against the boulder, unable to really keep his own balance.]
Giving up without trying... I can't do that.
[Just as soon ans his indignation started, it's ended in a blink (probably only because of Shido's change of heart, so, he regards him differently, in some capacity.) He clings onto the boulder with the other hand while he tries to mess around in his pockets. Then, he remembers that he won't find what he's looking for. His medicine isn't there.]
I have plenty of energy. I'm not some damned invalid!
[At least, not yet. Hopefully his health doesn't deteriorate further.
[He lifts his head again, bodily tilts, and grips harder onto the boulder to prevent his body from tipping again. He takes a second to properly look at Shido, thanks to the dizziness.
[He manages a bit of a glare, at least, but it's mostly the look of a cornered animal that isn't sure what to expect next. He knows he's prone, he knows he's reliant on his surroundings right now for stability, and it smarts his pride something fierce.
[And he's forgotten, in all the dizzying swirling in his own head, how he has so far refused to let go of Shido's shirt.]