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vestigechat2020-05-12 11:48 pm
vestigemods) wrote in vestigechat2020-05-12 11:48 pm
Entry tags:
inaugural tdm of unspecified duration.
VESTIGE TEST DRIVE MEME
WHAT IS THIS?
- This is a test drive meme for Vestige is a musebox-game successor to The Box (yeah, the one that died like five years ago). It's invite-only with no activity check and almost no application to speak of.
This is a horror jamjar based on Cabin In The Woods, in which characters are pulled into this containment zone run by the Technicians working from a lab underground with the goal of creating Good Quality Suffering™️ to appease the elder gods who hover on the verge of creating a worldwide apocalypse. But of course, suffering is pointless if everyone is too numb to properly suffer, so there are plenty of morale boosts provided in between bouts of fear and misery.
This TDM is ongoing and will fill the gap between now and when I get around to setting up the comms. There is no official start date and currently literally nothing but this TDM available for perusal, but I'll update this section of the blurb as that changes. Threads in this TDM are welcome to be game canon once this shit opens because fuck it. If you have questions, feel free to ask in the top-level below or just wing it tbh, we'll be doing a lot of winging it up in this shit.
Characters arrive with all powers intact and carrying all items that they had with them on their canonpoint.
Also, feel free to hit up the Intro + Friending meme to network with your future peers in this suffering endeavor. (EDIT 5/20: We also now have a DISCORD SERVER! So hop on into that if you'd like.)
PROMPT 1 ► just your ordinary cabin in the woods
⬛ARRIVAL + GENERAL PROMPT
- Whenever you're from or wherever you were, you awaken now with the mildest of headaches in a medium-sized wooden cabin. Maybe you wake in a bed, barely padded and covered in dust (so are you now, congrats!). Maybe you wake on the floor, arguably softer than the bed in spots thanks to some handy dandy water damage. Either way, you certainly aren't where you were before, and you have no recollection whatsoever of arriving.
The cabin is modest but multi-roomed and fully kitted with a kitchen and cozy living room. Nice, dry wood sits stacked by the fireplace, and if you check the various switches, the lights turn on with only the faintest protesting static. The cabinets are surprisingly well-stocked, as is the fridge, with perishables and non-perishables alike. As if someone has been here recently... but how, when everything else seems so thoroughly abandoned?
Should you choose to ignore the cabin's supposed hospitality and try to leave, you'll find that both the front and back doors are securely locked, in a way that no amount of fumbling with the locking mechanism seems to remedy.
That's when a sloooooow creak draws your attention to a door nearby, one you may not have noticed before... but it's open now. Was it before? Better yet, should you check out what lies beyond?
PROMPT 2 ► who's up for some fighty-fight, kids??
⬛MONSTER HORROR.
- The basement is musty and dim, though a pull-string at the curve of the creaky stairs seems to turn on a sparse row of lightbulbs dangling precariously from the ceiling along the center of the room. This little bit of light illuminates a room absolutely packed with items, furniture and boxes and various knick-knacks of unknown and questionable origin. Spiderwebs litter nooks and crannies, many with actual spiders still nesting inside, and a layer of dust coats most every surface in sight.
- A child's drawing, of what appears to be... shit, what even is that? Is it a bat? Is it some kind of... reptile? We just don't know. (result! warnings for gore/violence.)
- A light-blue paper face mask, the sort used in hospitals for patients who have a cold. Maybe you guys should've brought masks too. It sure would keep all this dust the hell out of your nose... ( result! warning for body horror! )
- A buzzsaw blade, dusty but intact. ( result! warnings for gore/violence. )
- A music box, covered in faded yellow flowers. I wonder what music it plays? ( result! warnings for gore/violence and Alarming Children. )
- A funeral urn. But... It seems that someone glued it shut around the edges? I guess that's one way to make sure nobody spills grandma. ( result! )
It doesn't seem like there's anyone down here, nor is there any sign of an exit at the basement's far end. There is, however, something that catches your eye. An item, one that your feet seem to carry you toward without your mind quite telling them to do so. Perhaps it's familiar somehow. Perhaps it's so foreign to you that you can't help but get a closer look. One way or another, you somehow end up reaching out to touch it. But what harm can that do, a single touch?
Oh, sweet summer child. Haven't you seen this movie?
- Whatever else your characters might touch, to activate this prompt they'll also touch one of the following five items:
These enemies can and will follow characters outside, should they try to flee. It might actually be a good idea to face these foes outdoors where it's less confined, provided they don't stray too far from the cabin (see prompt #4).
The blurbs are just guidelines, feel free to scale up or down how strong/weak the monsters are, how many there are, etc. in order to better fit your characters' level of capability. The Technicians know your characters' strengths and weaknesses, so they'd know how to send enough to make this challenging but not insurmountable.
PROMPT 3 ► congratulations, you fucked up
⬛SURVIVAL HORROR.
- Perhaps you didn't touch anything in the basement. Hell, maybe you didn't even set foot through that ominous basement door. But hey, we get it. Not everyone likes to party. You're not getting off easy, but at least you can say that you didn't fall into the trap.
If, by the time an hour has passed since the creaking open of the basement door, no object has been touched and no baddie has been summoned, you'll find your nose assaulted by the prevailing smell of smoke. One glance out any window tells you why: The cabin has been surrounded in it, an oblong ring of fire six feet thick burning tight along the exterior cabin walls. You're safe inside for the moment, but how long will that last?
Now, you have no choice but to try to escape the blaze. It overtakes the cabin quickly, creeping up over the rooftop, shattering windows and burning a path inside. No matter which way you try to run, you're almost certain to get burned... But that's certainly better than burning to death in here.
PROMPT 4 ► "escape"? never heard of her.
⬛PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR.
- For some, staying in this creepy cabin with its stupid locked door was never an option. Maybe you break one of the windows and crawl through that, or maybe you're angry and OP and punched a man-sized hole in the wall itself. Hey, we're not judging. You got yourself outside, and that's what counts.
The outside of the cabin is... actually pretty nice. Picturesque woods, birds singing, perhaps a couple of deer bounding through the trees not far off. This place might actually be relaxing, if it weren't so alarming and kidnap-y. But it is, so it's time to get the fuck out of Dodge.
Or to try to, anyway. Just a few short meters into the trees, you find yourself entering a deep and all-encompassing fog. You can barely see your hand out in front of your face, let alone your path through the forest ahead. If you're not alone in this venture, you'd best keep a hand on your companion lest you lose track of them, as well. And is it just you, or is there a slight chemical taste to the fog that you're breathing in?
(Yes. The answer is definitely yes.)
Before long, you find yourself turned around, stepping back out of the fog with the cabin in front of you. Little do you realize that simply turning you around is the most merciful fate that this fog has to offer.
- This is easier to break down without narrative, so!
- The first time your character ventures into the fog, they're just turned around and sent back to the cabin.
- The second time, they hallucinate things that they don't want to hear. Something they fear, something that hurts them, something that stresses them the fuck out. Maybe a character's worst fear is wildcats and they hear one growling just out of sight in the mist. Maybe instead they hear a loved one crying for help back in the direction from which they've come, drawing them back to the cabin. Or maybe they hear the voice of someone they admire berating their cowardice or stupidity or something, for running away from the cabin in the first place. The goal is to psych them out and send them running back to the place where the action is happening.
- The third time, it's the same but full-blown visual or even physical hallucinations. Basically anything that might lure, scare, emotionally wound, etc. them into going back to the vicinity of the cabin.
Characters are welcome to start off venturing into the mist together, or to discover one another while they're already in the mist. If it's the latter, look out - it may be harder to tell friend from foe when you can't quite trust your own mind.
THE LOOP ► a note on replayability
- Regardless of which prompt your character faces, they'll be left unbothered after the creature is defeated or the problem is overcome until sunrise the following morning. Though the fog still keeps characters from straying from the area, they're welcome to recover and lick their wounds in the immediate cabin vicinity. An unburnt cabin leaves them food and resting facilities, while a burnt cabin... Well, at least the fire never spread from that self-contained ring, so they have some nice unburnt grass to sleep on.
Come sunrise, all characters still awake will fall unconscious. At this point, many of them will reawaken in a perfectly undamaged cabin back in Prompt #1 to begin the loop anew. They may have the same comrades in this loop, or perhaps they have different ones. Maybe their new companions have done this before as well. Maybe they're brand new and have no idea what they're up against. R.I.P., you poor unsuspecting fucks.
This is, in effect, a series of trial runs by the current batch of Technicians to see if they're able to run this containment zone scenario long-term. When Vestige opens properly, characters will awaken free of the loop and will have quite a bit more continuity and recovery time between horrors. The 'loop' mechanic is specifically in place to give this TDM some shelf life and let y'all entertain yourselves while I work on the actual pages and such, rather than the one-and-done feeling of the usual TDM.
three/four
he goes out the same way wen ning went, though once he's outside and actually sees the ghost general, all bets are off. in the case of the monster, anyhow, as he has no qualms with the man fighting—
actually, what is that thing? sizhui's not sure, but despite his reluctance, he steps forward with his own weapon readied.] Wen Ning! [that way there's no mistaking who he is or what he's doing out here with the monster as well. helping is his plan and after shouting like he does, he'll have no choice once the monster directs its attention his way, screeching a ear-piercing warning before scrabbling through the dirt toward him.]
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That won't do.
Wen Ning takes a flying leap, kicking the beast in the side of the head to knock it off course. The creature rolls to the side, shaking its head as if to clear it, and Wen Ning lands beside Sizhui.
He isn't too confused as to why he's here. After all, they had been together, sitting on the docks at Lotus Pier, before Wen Ning awoke in this strange cabin. It makes sense if he was taken, that Sizhui was too.
He doesn't have time to say anything to Sizhui, though, before the dragon creature is scrambling back to its feet and coming in for another charge. ]
Stand back!
[ Wen Ning pushes Sizhui back and steps forward to meet the creature head on. ]
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sizhui's reaching for his sword, cinching the handle and pulling it free from the scabbard whenever ning collides with the creature again. pushes it back with relative ease and within the same moment, is at his side. he exhales a fleeting, relieved breath then redirects his attention to the man next to him, lingering long enough to give him a brief once-over.
while he's unsure what time (used very loosely in this sense) wen ning came from, it seems like he recognizes him, though they won't know for sure until they've gotten rid of their little problem.
in spite of himself, the lan junior backpedals a couple paces after he's urged to, mouth opening to protest, except he comes up short once wen ning rushes ahead. he can help fight, they'd worked together before not that long ago, after all.] Just know, I'll help if necessary!
[interfering now wouldn't do any good though, so! sizhui waits, still prepared with weapon in hand for the proper chance— if it ever comes. the ghost general is, of course, quite a proficient fighter.]
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[ If they can keep it on the ground, that lessens the advantages it had over them. ]
cw: monster gore? yeah, let's go with that
blood sprays, causes him to flinch back somewhat, eyes momentarily winced shut. this, of course, agitates the beast even further; it squirms in an attempt to get free and just as sizhui's peeking upward, he slides his feet, shifts closer to wen ning and barely avoids getting clipped by some of the spikes on its broken wing.] A-Ah! Okay, we'll need to push it back slightly, so I can get the other wing!
cw: they're fucking this monster up
Sizhui needs the creature pushed back. So Wen Ning will push it back. The beast is strong, but so is he. It's unclear who is stronger, whose hand the deer will die on, as the proverb goes. But Wen Ning has something the beast does not have: someone to protect.
He surges forward with all his strength, pushing the beast back step after step. Its clawed feet dig deep grooves through the dirt as it slides across the forest floor. Hopefully this will give Sizhui the opening he needs--! ]
cw: r i p dragon-bat
with true precision, the lan disciple moves in, uses the newly offered space to maneuver around ning, angle his sword the proper way. it's more of a stab than a slice this time, though after it punctures, he twists his wrist, angles upward and tears through further.
he doesn't flinch either, just applies continuous pressure until the blade glides smoothly into its forearm— then he cuts through that, too.]
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He takes a moment to turn, checking over Sizhui first before he leaps after the creature. ] Are you alright? [ His pure white robes are probably stained in blood, but as long as he's not hurt, that's what matters. ]
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he exhales slowly, steadily, nods his head first before remembering nonverbal communication isn't ideal right now.] Yes, [he calls back and his robes are definitely ruined, though that's the least of their problems.]
cw: dismemberment?
Severely hobbled and losing blood, The beast rages, but Wen Ning shows no quarter. This thing threatened him, threatened his family. The only family he has left. It cannot be allowed to live. ]
cw: rekt (aka: here's some evisceration too)
it's when the creature stumbles backward, like it might try fleeing, sizhui rushes forward into the space between it and ning, thrusts with his sword— the blade hits its mark right in the dragon-bat's midsection. he brings his other hand to the handle and slices outward, tearing it straight open, backpedaling a step or two once the monster crumples.]
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He lets out a breath he didn't know he had been holding, and clasps a hand on Sizhui's shoulder. ]
Good work. [ He turns to look back up at the cabin... and at the gaping hole where the door once stood. ] Ah... I was probably a little overzealous.
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the lan junior smiles when that hand cinches his shoulder, sheepishly inclines his head.] Thank you, but you did most of the work with. Removing the wings. [to put it gently— oh, as he turns too, expression faltering somewhat at the unfortunate lack of front door.]
That... hm. That's alright, we'll figure something out. [they've made it this far, haven't they?]
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Let's get back inside. [ he offers, thinking that maybe there might be something inside that could help get them out of this mess, or at least give them some clue as to how they got here. ]
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It should be safer now with the monster eliminated. [and with that decided, he begins leading them back toward the cabin, sheathing his sword along the way.]
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I don't suppose you have any idea where we are?
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he continues inside afterward, casting a considering glance over his shoulder.] I was hoping you might have the answer? Seems we're both unlucky enough to not know, then.
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Anyway, now they're back inside the house, and they can look around in earnest. The first room they come to is the kitchen, though it's hardly recognizable as such to Wen Ning, not recognizing the modern appliances. He begins opening cabinets, searching for any sort of clue. He makes his way around the room, finally coming to the fridge, which he opens like he did the rest of the cabinets, suddenly surprised by what he finds there. ]
This one's cold! [ He closes the door, opens it again. Closes it, opens it a crack, peers through the sliver of the opening. ] There's something inside that lights up when you open the door.
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wen ning takes to the kitchen and sizhui lingers near the fireplace, examining the neatly chopped wood, considering the faintly crackling embers that are smoldering in the pit. without really second-guessing it, one of the smaller logs gets picked up and tossed onto the pile then his attention turns wen ning's direction, his expression creasing with confusion whenever he mentions the thing he's in front of now is cold.
and lights up? what??? he abandons the fire, moves over to where the ghost general is, tilting his head to peek at the crack of light filtering out.] Open it again?
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Wen Ning does as he's asked, opening the door slowly, eyebrows raising in surprise as, once again, the interior of the box lights up as soon as the door is open. Then he closes the door slowly, able to see through the crack that the light turns off when the door is closed a certain amount. ]
Strange... I don't see any candles inside.
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the disciple ever-so-slightly flinches back, grips his sword's sheath tighter and reaches for the handle— comes up short when nothing happens except the bizarre contraption lighting up again. sizhui shifts to stand beside it, raps his knuckles against the metal side, wrinkles his nose at the faint tingle that lingers on his hand afterward.]
Certainly doesn't seem like a lantern of any kind... [but the light can still come and go whenever it pleases? witchcraft!]