phantasmods: (Default)
Phantasmal Rift Mods ([personal profile] phantasmods) wrote in [community profile] phantasmemes2018-05-24 10:10 pm
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TEST DRIVE 004

Hello and welcome to the fourth 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 Keystone Reef, a water-influenced Fissure to the northeast of the station. It is home to numerous fish and coral species, as well as a very interesting magical effect...

OPTION ONE: FINNY FUN

Under the water is where you woke up, and under the water is where you might be stuck for a while. The magic is lodged in you and has changed your form -- maybe a little, maybe a lot. Perhaps you only have gills, but you may also have a full set of changes, fins and no feet to speak of. Don't panic, you'll surely be fine if you just keep swimming...

Aside from the strange changes, it's a pretty cool place to be. If you've ever dreamed about scuba diving on a coral reef, the place that you've found yourself is perfect for that (minus the needing to scuba part). Curious fish swim up and then dart away into rock crevices, coral growths, and even down to bury themselves in the layer of sand at the bottom. The water is also fairly shallow, allowing you to surface if you so desire.

Even the sharks are friendly and just want to have as much a look at you as you want to look at them. Don't harass the glowing eels tucked into cracks between the rocks, though, they bite and don't particularly let go.

OPTION TWO: WORLD'S SMALLEST JUNGLE

This must certainly be an oceanside jungle - in spite of the humidity, the smell of salt on the air is strong. Brilliant greens and the occasional bright flowers, accompanied by island birdsong... It could be a nice place to spend an afternoon. There's not even that many bugs that want to drink your blood (though bugs in general are, well, quite plentiful).

Eventually, though, however far you go, you'll reach the beach and be met with the expanse of the ocean - blue, uncaring, and real big. While one side of the little island thankfully has land visible in the distance, the outer side just overlooks a near-endless expanse of blue. If you're a very good swimmer, you could probably make your way to land past the rocks of the reef itself... Otherwise, though, you might be just a bit stuck on your jungle island paradise.

At least until someone brings a boat.

OPTION THREE: SHIPWRECK

Both above and below the waterline are the remains of ships crashed upon the rocks, just waiting to be explored. Even though it has clearly been an incredibly long time, the chunks of wood and metal are still in fairly good condition, and the chance of finding something nice tucked in with them among the rocks is surely tempting to anyone with an adventurous spirit.

The wrecks beneath the waves also grow coral and seaweed, and provide havens for larger fish, dragon eels, and sharks. Those along the rocks above the waterline, on the other hand, provide a home for seabirds of all varieties. Most notable is the hulking shell of a shipping craft in the distance, looking very much modern if ruined by some centuries of exposure...

For right now, though, you'd best contend with the flotsam a bit closer to you, and the wildlife that might not take too kindly to your exploring. Below the waterline, the dragon eels found in a few places don't take kindly to being disturbed; above, you might run afoul of some overprotective seabirds protecting their nests. Maybe even an invisible seagull (normal sized) - how ridiculous would that be?
foolishjustice: (Shall I explain?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-05-29 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
But let's not worry about it until we get back. I don't want to risk damaging them if it turns out they aren't waterproof.
freedomofmovement: (downtime activities)

[personal profile] freedomofmovement 2018-05-29 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
Got it. [Freyja nods in return.] Freyja. Where are we?
coagmentatio: try to break out of a daycare by driving a big wheel at full speed into a metal gate (just saw a 3 year old)

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
Fayflower was a school where a bunch of people from various worlds were dragged into it... kind of like how this place did.

The biggest difference here is that we still have our powers while not being trapped on a campus.
Edited 2018-05-29 06:58 (UTC)
hairpincurves: (are you in the shadows?)

[personal profile] hairpincurves 2018-05-29 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
... Yeah, good plan.
foolishjustice: (May I help you?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-05-29 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
Do you think you're comfortable swimming around obstacles yet?
freedomofmovement: (yes and)

[personal profile] freedomofmovement 2018-05-29 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
[She shrugs, looking... quite comfortable, actually. Freyja carefully moves closer, using her arms rather than swimming.]

It's not where I'm from, and given that there's an island up there, not the plane of water.

Your guess is as good as mine.
Edited 2018-05-29 07:04 (UTC)
coagmentatio: if you would stop texting my boyfriend (i would really appreciate it)

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ A hint of amusement enters his gaze, and he watches the person for a moment. He can't see everything, but he doesn't sense any hostility - that's most important, right now. ]

As much as I appreciate the offer... [ deadpan ] I have to ask if there's a modified version for the ones who aren't first-timers to the general experience.

[ Doesn't he sound just thrilled about all of this? Maybe the quiet sigh will really sell it - or the way he runs a hand over his already-damp face...? ]

Not that I'm jumping for joy over the thought of going back to the last place, but this is getting ridiculous...
hairpincurves: ('cuz for every broken promise)

[personal profile] hairpincurves 2018-05-29 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
I think I'll be okay, yeah. Want to head back?
foolishjustice: (Strange isn't it?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-05-29 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
[He nods. As his head moves, small fins poking out from his hair adjust to keep it away from his face.]

We aren't going to find many places to set these up out here.
foolishjustice: (Can it wait?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-05-29 07:41 am (UTC)(link)
I know. He helped get the survivors out of the mall.

[But it also messed him up, and he doesn't want to think about other versions of Akira going through something similar. So instead he'll watch as Aiden's eyes shift from the shirt to his arm, then produce a roll of thick parchment from seemingly nowhere.]

It won't exactly taste good, but at least it's not soaked with seawater.
meowna: Made by @marshwiggle on Plurk (Surprising illusions)

[personal profile] meowna 2018-05-29 07:52 am (UTC)(link)
Weird..... He did say he'd been gone somewhere for a while before coming here. He never explained any of the details, though. Maybe that was Fayflower?
hairpincurves: (so look inside the mirror)

[personal profile] hairpincurves 2018-05-29 08:34 am (UTC)(link)
[She grins, which also does a wonderful job of showing off the very sharp teeth that came with her new form.]

Let's go, then!
coagmentatio: of our fucking beer. what an appropriate costume. (i have no idea)

whoops... since it's still not even at arm yank stuff, I should probably tag again

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 08:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ Akira was in that mall, too, huh...? ]

Huh? Where did you-... [ . . . ] ... Never mind.

[ ... Though, he can actively tell his surprise level towards a lot of things has lowered, ever since he left Daeseon. With a hint of hesitation, he accepts the parchment and bites down on it. For the first time since his arrival, those fangs are showing to an obvious degree. For once, he's not entirely thinking about it...

Anyway, he's very much of the opinion that this should be a "get it over with" kind of thing. ]
foolishjustice: (May I help you?)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-05-29 08:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, that's...a little intimidating. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.

He turns to swim back the way they came, various fins flaring out as he moves.]


By the way, let me know if you get hungry. I have a decent amount of food with me.

[Along with...one Mystery Food X, but let's not talk about that.]
coagmentatio: there is a guy in a bunny costume. (help.)

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 08:48 am (UTC)(link)
I doubt it... unless I got lost in a time rift on the way here. To me, it feels like I just got out of Fayflower... and Akira was there, last I remember.

[ Hmmmmmm... ]
coagmentatio: has only Os in it (pretty sure my alphabet soup)

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 08:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Literally everything Aiden's hearing about her has him pissed off, and something revealing of that flashes in his eyes. Pardon him while something angrily hissed-out escapes: ]

What the fuck...
byanyother_name: (What could it mean?)

[personal profile] byanyother_name 2018-05-29 08:52 am (UTC)(link)
[That gets a small frown; it's not directly hitting any of the big red buttons yet, but... Well, so far everyone here that's familiar with the 'general experience' is familiar from a very specific sort of experience.

There's definitely concern and trepidation, but still no hostility. And he's at least trying not to jump to conclusions...]

That partly depends on the particular experience, but the non-specific modified version, I suppose, would be along the lines of...

As far as we're aware, we haven't been actively chosen or deliberately kidnapped. Some of us have concerns, based on the fact that barring the original group, all the new arrivals have been when we mount these expeditions, but there's no proof of anything yet.

We've been staying at a research station across the reef. It's not required to, now that we've stabilized the surrounding land, but it's more comfortable than camping. As well... This world is suffering wild reality warps and it's not impossible for the stabilizers we've placed to fail, so it's also safer.

As of yet, none of us know how to return to where we came from. The general plan is to stabilize enough of this world to study the reality tears properly and try to find a way back through.
foolishjustice: (Crow-Ah...)

[personal profile] foolishjustice 2018-05-29 09:05 am (UTC)(link)
A psychic inventory. It's a Persona user thing.

[Goro doesn't seem too concerned about the fangs, at least. Sure, they're a bit more intimidating than the set he's hiding, but all it really registers to him is that he shouldn't expect that piece of parchment back intact.

He plants his tail in the sand for leverage as he looks over the arm, gently tapping at it to try to get a sense for what's going on under the skin.]


This is going to hurt.

[And hurt it does, though he fortunately manages to keep the claws from doing more than digging painfully into the skin. But after a few seconds of pushing, the bones click into place and he carefully lets go.
meowna: Made by @marshwiggle on Plurk (Default)

[personal profile] meowna 2018-05-29 09:23 am (UTC)(link)
It might be a different Akira? Apparently people can come from slightly different versions of the same world, somehow--like if you were born as a girl instead of a boy! You could even theoretically meet one of those other versions of yourself in a place like this. Pretty weird thought, huh?
coagmentatio: what i mean by this so just answer yes or no. are 5 cows enough? (i don't really want to explain)

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 09:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ He hadn't expected an actual explanation - especially not one with so much effort poured into it. It does give more information to go with what Bai Lin and the others told him. He gives an appreciative nod. ]

I didn't expect a full rundown so quickly... but thanks. [ sighing as he adjusts the bag and the guitar on his shoulder ] I spoke to a few people already... I was actually walking around to see if anyone else from that damn place showed up.

[ Hence dropping the word "school" at this random guy - a semi-fun way to connect himself to someone else right away, should another person from Fayflower show up and drop the word "school." Why not?

... Okay, he can do the whole proper introduction thing. ]


Aiden, by the way.

[ nailed it ]
labelledamesauvage: (Default)

[personal profile] labelledamesauvage 2018-05-29 10:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ A brief nod. ]

I do hope that where-ever I end up after this, I will find myself somewhere private, and with some money, as I currently seem to be lacking in pants. I can understand the feeling, yes.

I would be interested in what causes that - perhaps something a more dedicated arcanist than myself might be able to effect greater change.
coagmentatio: we wrote ANDY on the bottom of your foot while you were passed out on the couch (in honor of Toy Story 3)

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 10:02 am (UTC)(link)
... Here's to hoping I never meet another me, then.

[ That's... it; that's all he has to say.

His gaze drops and shifts to the side, his body suddenly tense. Clearly there are some unpleasant thoughts going through his head. ]
coagmentatio: there is a guy in a bunny costume. (help.)

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 10:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ He squints a tiny bit. ]

How many kinds does your world have...? I only know of one kind.
labelledamesauvage: (Default)

[personal profile] labelledamesauvage 2018-05-29 10:11 am (UTC)(link)
Aha. Where I am from, we call those druids. Some follow the nature gods, and some follow the Green Faith directly, but few who are not abysmally stupid think that they are not quite powerful.

[ A small smile steals across her face ]

And I do have the honor to claim that as my profession, yes. Bard, scandal, occasional fille de joie, once or twice a duelist. But one does what one must, eh?
coagmentatio: of our fucking beer. what an appropriate costume. (you sat in the passenger's seat)

[personal profile] coagmentatio 2018-05-29 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her words possibly have the opposite effect from what she might have been going for here...

Aiden's frowning harder, eyes narrowing a little. Something clearly has him uncomfortable, and so... he's now just looking away, quiet for a lengthy moment... ]


It's great that you're able to stay positive. Personally, I'm a firm believer of "your mile may vary."