inaugural tdm of unspecified duration.

[vestigemods]

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.

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:


• 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! )

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.

CODE BY TESSISAMESS (patreon)

Comments

[deferences]

[chenqing is quite a striking instrument, it's true, and sizhui can't help staring at the flute, brows lifted and eyes curiously widened. he doesn't remember that being what wei wuxian had been carrying when he'd seen him last (also, his clothes look different?), though he's not given much time to consider either before his attention is drawn toward the energy. while he wants to look a bit longer and figure it out, he's well-aware he has already been staring too long.

though it takes all his willpower, he averts his gaze, assuring himself things will eventually pan out in some fashion. regardless, they're friends(?) in his book, so sizhui's already made up his mind.] Something tells me I won't find much else, but there's no harm in searching, yes?

[there was once a time when wei wuxian had said he'd paid attention to details, first and foremost.]

[mannerless]

( once the disciple agrees, wei ying backs up down the couple of stairs that he's climbed, both hands clasping chenqing behind his back as if staying out of the way and not disrupting the boy's process.

...oh, but then his eyes catch one of the dust-messages he wrote, and with a sheepish laugh he scoots over to wipe it away with a palm, then the next few as well. ) Pay no attention to those, none whatsoever - ah, someone certainly knows some terrible words. Lan Zhan would find me and skin me alive if I let his disciple's eyes feast upon such a thing. Anyway! We're all clear, you can go ahead.

[deferences]

[being given the extra room so freely makes sizhui bow with gratitude, the edges of his lips quirking somewhat while he moves further into the basement and— wow, there's a lot of clutter down here, isn't there?

out of the corner of his eye, he sees wei wuxian moving, curiously lifts an eyebrow as he watches him wipe dust off the downstairs interior. whether it's instinct or just playing along, the teen patiently waits until he's finished cleaning up, chewing his cheek for distraction. (because if he smiles, that means he reveals his dubiousness.) following another faint incline of his head,] Thank you, and I'm sure Hanguang-jun will appreciate it, too. [then he's moving around the room, drifting his fingertips over things, pinching others between his thumb and first digit like he's worried about dust stains.]

[mannerless]

( oh, this one is extra polite. a distant (or not-so-distant) cousin of lan xichen's, perhaps? and lan zhan's by proxy, though this boy's face is much too soft and his expression is much too open to truly bear resemblance there. the posture is correct, though. a lan through and through.

the seriousness of the boy's focus has wei wuxian pressing his lips together to keep from grinning. such serious business, this dusty cellar full of ghosts that may very well be too weak to dare appear - or full of no ghosts at all, but something is off about the place, and isn't ghosts the simplest explanation? )

Anything? ( he prompts after a good half-minute, head tilting slightly with casual intrigue. )

[deferences]

[taught by them, nevertheless, despite technically not being related. (technically is the keyword there.) it's true, he's probably far more expressive than either of the twin jades, but for certain more than lan wangji since he wouldn't be caught dead smiling how sizhui does.

whatever it is that has the basement feeling off, he'd figure it's safe to assume ghosts, except just color him curious: what's all this random stuff doing down here anyway?]

Not that I can see, [is tossed over his shoulder while he's tracing his first and second fingertips across the buzzsaw, which isn't smart when he's looking away— how ironic though, the pad of the index digit gets nicked after he's turned back. unsurprising, the bizarre instrument still being sharp, he should've known better. rubbing his thumb over the cut and wrinkling his nose,] Ah... [then he sighs disappointedly, begins searching for something to clean up with because he can't very well just use his robes. (can he? it's not as if he doesn't already have dust everywhere.)]

[mannerless]

( wei wuxian, as it happens, catches the moment at which the lan junior flinches, and brows knit something briefly adjacent to concern - but oh, it's just a sliced finger. ) We're not even fighting something and already you're bleeding. ( he scolds, but not with any real fire to it - in much the same way he often complains to complain. (he doesn't yet realize the irony of his statement - the buzz of a sawblade might be audible if they were upstairs, but not yet all the way down here.)

but he sees the boy glancing around for something to wipe away blood with, and he sighs out a patient - ) Alright, come here, ( gesturing similarly with his hand before pushing up the sleeve of his outer robe to tear a frayed strip from his inner one. it's long enough to tie (a bit awkwardly) around the finger and thick enough to absorb a bit more blood than your average robe, and it's offered out to the boy now. )

[deferences]

[his attention immediately flickers toward the former(?) yiling patriarch, his own eyebrows lifting with bewilderment.] I... I didn't mean to. [while there isn't any actual heat behind the reprimanding, sizhui can't help feeling a little shameful, letting himself get injured by something so simple. even if, to be fair, it's some type of weapon he doesn't recognize.

right as he's about ready to turn away and continue looking is when wei wuxian beckons him, both verbally and by motioning him over. the lan disciple bridges what little distance remains between them, secures his sword by tucking it underneath his arm and offering out the injured hand, almost like he expects the strip of fabric to be tied on for him. though he hooks it at the last second, draws it close, carefully managing a makeshift bandage that he closes his thumb and other fingers around to apply steady pressure.]

[mannerless]

( no 'thank you'? perhaps he's one of lan zhan's after all, wei ying considers with a warm sort of humor, eyes casting briefly over the bandaging attempt but otherwise assuming the junior can take care of his own finger.

regardless, continuing to look around down here feels pointless at worst, boring at best - but as soon as he casts a thoughtful glance upstairs, a faint buzzing catches his attention. how long has it been there? it's too loud to be the lights, and it seems (unless he's imagining it) to be getting progressively louder.

without a word to his new lan sidekick, he turns to pad silently up the stairs. hopefully his sharp attention and the care in his steps is enough to clue the boy in to keep quiet, whether or not he follows. once he reaches the top of the stairwell, he peers ever-so-carefully around the door frame. across the room, the buzzing hums ever-louder on the other side of the cabin's front door. )

Stay back, ( he warns, stepping out into the open now with intent to cross the room and peer out a window - but all at once, the buzzing collides with the front door, grinding harshly against it in a way that echoes throughout the room.

wei wuxian lets out a curse and bloodies his fingertip on a tooth, hands flying to throw a sealing talisman at the front door before anything can break through. he doesn't trust that it will be enough to hold, but at lesat it will buy some time. )

There's a back door, ( he barks over his shoulder. ) See if it's locked.

[deferences]

[there might've been afterward, but as he's pressing, fighting through the faint painful throb, he's almost certain he heard something, is instantly distracted by glancing around at their surroundings.

whatever it was didn't sound close enough to be down here with them and the fact wei wuxian's moving toward the stairs means he's inclined to believe the same.

so, follow he does, close on his heels though not hinderingly in the vicinity. silent too (surprising no one, he pays close attention to details), then once they've reached the doorway, sizhui presses himself out of the way against the wall behind them while wei wuxian peeks out into the hall. even from where he's standing, the humming is steadily getting louder, has him wondering what could possibly make a noise like that—

then the warning comes shortly thereafter and well, sizhui's listening for the most part, aside from slipping out into the corridor. before he's given the chance to advance further, the unknown assailant slams against the door with a force like he's never seen, the noise an assault on his ears.

it's instinctively that he reaches to cup his ears, stopping mid-way through once it dawns on him he maybe should listen. the momentary barrier they've been provided won't last long, but sizhui also won't waste what little it gives them.] Okay! [he calls back, doing an about-face and sprinting for the aforementioned back door.

both hands clutch the doorknob once he's there, twist frantically, though to no avail. disheartening as that is, it's nothing they can't get through, right?] It most certainly is!

[mannerless]

( of course it's locked. why wouldn't it be locked? he sighs out a tense breath as whatever is on the other side of the door gives it a splintering slam, his talisman's glow pulsing with effort. )

Find something heavy, ( he calls now, not even daring glance back anymore - because you just know the second he does is when the thing will bust inside. ) You're going to break out a back window and make a run for the woods. ( no, this isn't a negotiation. this is wei wuxian keeping this lan boy alive - from what, it's still anyone's guess. )

[deferences]

[an undignified noise escapes sizhui as their attacker continues its assault on the door, his hands tightening on the knob and jerking harder. please open? comes the silent plea, but then wei wuxian's speaking again.

‘find something heavy,’] Okay. [sure, he can do that, no problem! sizhui casts a quick glance around, considering what objects are nearby; an oversized stick, some old-looking boots, nothing that seems heavy enough to use. there's a chair nearby he could maybe— wait, what did he say?] Uhm. I know we haven't got time to argue about this, but... I won't run without you.

[mannerless]

( and for a nice, refreshing second, it seems like the junior is going to do as he's been told and let wei wuxian handle this. but no, nope, now he's objecting and wei ying huffs out an irritated breath. ) You're right, ( he says, ) we don't have time. Don't make me shove you out that window myself. ( he'll do it, you bet he will. )

[deferences]

[the fact they're already arguing is wasting time and yet—] If you shove me out the window, at least I can grab your arm and take you with me that way. [go ahead and try him, wei wuxian, he's not afraid! no thoughtless sacrifices in this cabin allowed!]

[mannerless]

Has Lan Zhan never taught you to have some respect for your seniors? ( he snaps with a sharp sort of scowl. ) What do you think I'm trying to do - die heroically for some disciple I've never met? You're climbing out that damn window so I don't have to worry about you while I find some way to get away from -

( -it, he was going to say, but it's interrupted by that very 'it' bursting violently through both the door and his talisman ward. wei wuxian hisses out a curse, barks - ) Go, ( and steps forward to greet what looks like a massive scorpion made entirely from steel, wasting no time in tossing a couple of striking talismans directly at what he can only assume is the face in case the junior actually listens to him and gets out of the way. )

[deferences]

[the first remark is enough of a verbal smack already; excuse you, wei wuxian, what gives you the right? but it's the whole, “do you think i'm trying to die heroically for some disciple i've never met?” that makes sizhui absolutely reel. he goes stock-still, multiple emotions flooding all at once, thoughts going a million miles a minute. there's an uncomfortable, piercing pain in his chest, his eyes suddenly burn and despite the blur of tears (wait, when did that happen?), he shouts,] You! But... you—?

[how unfortunate, he doesn't get a chance to finish his confused outcry before whatever the hell that thing is comes bursting through the door and thus breaks the talisman wei wuxian had used earlier. thank goodness, the boy does as he's told by leaping aside, cramming himself into the corner nearby the window he'd been considering before.]