⇨ TEST DRIVE MEME #1

[ringleaders]

WELCOME TO THE SHOW!↴ Or, more specifically, Lost Carnival's first test drive meme! This is an opportunity to try out your characters in the setting before you apply, or to put together samples for characters you've never played before. There are going to be options for both new arrivals and veteran characters. Before we get started, let's lay down some details: You can read the full premise here. Reserves open October 5th at 12:01AM EST. Applications open October 7th at 12:01AM EST. You can apply as a newcomer or as a "veteran" character who has been in the carnival for up to three years. TDM threads can be used as game canon after the fact if both characters are accepted and the players agree to it. If you are interested in additional IC and OOC plot responsibilities, consider applying for a Supervisor position. Supervisor applications will start being processed a few days after apps open, and will be selected on a competitive basis. If you want a supervisor position, it is best to submit your application as close to the beginning of the application cycle as possible. If you don't get chosen for your desired supervisor position, you will be given time to rework your application to be a regular veteran, or to apply for a supervisor position that is not yet taken. Lost Carnival could use some additional moderation assistance! If you are interested, please let us know here. NEW RECRUITS↴ You gotta start somewhere, right? These prompts are for characters who are arriving in the carnival for the first time, and who are destined to sign a contract. How they go about that is up to you, but in the meantime they can enjoy the sights and sounds of something truly out of this world. Visitors to the carnival comes from many different worlds today, as the ringmaster casts out her recruitment lures. Will you become her most recent hire? ► ADMISSION FEES: After crossing into the carnival's realm and passing through the trees, most visitors will find themselves at the front gate - though not all choose to enter that way. If they enter legitimately, however, they will have to pass by a clerk who will trade admission and tickets for various attractions and rides in exchange for "anything of value." What is of value may seem highly subjective, and so some may struggle to produce payment at first, though in actuality the carnival will take anything from mundane currency to items of purely sentimental value. ► MIRROR MAZE: The mirror maze (pictured above) is a big attraction in the carnival, and stretches much further on the inside than it looks like it will on the outside. It's hard to get through, and what's more, after you've been in there for a while your reflections will start gaining a mind of their own - mostly in order to taunt and distract you with personal information. They don't know everything you know, but they know more than they should, and their mind games can be pretty hit or miss. ► GAMER'S CIRCLE: Almost all of the game booths are organized in a large ring around the Cookhouse, called Gamer's Circle. Your can play just about any carnival game you can imagine here, for a variety of prizes sometimes traditional, exotic, or outright magical. Dart tossing? Got it. That game with the water guns? Got it. Most of these booths are currently manned by humanoid spirits who look like they are made of smoke. If they can trick you into earning debt, they will. ► TRYING TO LEAF: No matter where you came from, you seemingly emerged from a forest. Obviously, to get back home you should be able to go back in the same direction, right? It turns out you can't. Worse, trying too hard to get through the wood will result in you getting lost, or turned back to the carnival. The trees here are not normal, and are varying levels of alien, including things like trees with glowing fruit or orange flowers that constantly burn like candles. ► NOT YOUR WHEELHOUSE (NEW): Sometimes, even magical ferris wheels get stuck. The carnival's particular wheel is enchanted to create a particular out of this world experience - as you pass along the top, you feel as if they are so close to the sky that you can interact with the stars like baubles hanging above your head. Of course, the novelty probably wears off when the wheel is broken and you've been stuck enjoying the light show with some stranger for the last half hour. How are you going to pass the time? ► WILD CARD: Anything else you can imagine in this setting! There are a lot of possibilities and you're free to explore them. Check out the rest of the game info or the locations page for additional inspiration. Want to make a starter with your character experiencing their first theoretical change? Go for it! VETERAN WORKERS↴ These prompts are tailored to the carnival's existing employees, the veterans. Odds are they've been here from somewhere between a few months and three years already, and know their way around the block. For them, this is just business as usual - and depending on their attitude towards their job, they may or may not contribute to a few people accidentally getting themselves a contract. Whatever you do, though, don't warn visitors away from the carnival - the ringmaster hates losing business like that. ► DO YOUR WORK: This one's pretty simple - just have your character doing whatever you'd like to have their job be! There is a big list of ideas over here, and you could use this to try things out with a character you intend to be a new arrival, as well. ► WILL O' WISPS: The ringmaster's will o' wisps have gotten free, and she's asked that everyone keep and eye out and help her reclaim them regardless of their official jobs. Wisps are small creatures that burn both hot and cold and comes in a few different variations of the same basic theme. Handling them physically (or psionically, or magically, for that matter) is difficult due to their near intangible nature. Touching and being around them can result in confusion and a sensation similar to being comfortably drunk. ► BREAK TIME: Whatever you were doing, it's break time! It's time for you to relax however you see fit. Do you enjoy some of the carnival attractions yourself, or is that old by now? Do you hang out in the Cookhouse to get a snack? Do you take a nap? Yolo, baby! ► RIDDLE GAME: For a bit of fun, the ringmaster has left a variety of locked chests around the worker areas of the carnival, each with instructions and a riddle written on their lids. The chest will accept three guesses from each worker before refusing to respond to them any further. If you guess the right answer, the chest will open and you will be rewarded with some manner of fun magical knick knack. If you've run out of guesses, maybe you can conspire with someone else and promise to split the prize? ► WILD CARD: Anything else you can imagine in this setting! There are a lot of possibilities and you're free to explore them. Check out the rest of the game info or the locations page for additional inspiration. Want to do a performance? Hang out in the Backyard? Choose whatever appeals!

Comments

Jajo | original

[rescuee]

( mirror maze )

[ A really, really tall purple guy is making his way through the maze... or trying to. He's wide as well, and there are some places that he just doesn't seem to fit into. Several times he's run into a doorway too small for him and had to double back. It was fun at first, it really added to the lost angle, but now...

...Well, his own reflection is starting to get a little unnerving, and it's lost some of its charm. He's just scraped his horns on a low doorway and accidentally kicked a mirror with one of his metal feet, and at this point he'd really just like to get out before anyone comes after him for property damage. ]

Excuse me! [ That's out a little too enthusiastically from the large purple man, currently stooped over, who has just spotted someone other than his own reflection for the first time all maze. ] This might be a little cliche, but -- you wouldn't happen to know the way out, would you?

( gamer's circle )

[ Jajo has been watching this ring toss game for a while, and he has some suspicions. He's spent some money of his own here and there, but it's more satisfying just to watch. Most of these games, though, and the ring toss in particular -- he's just not sure how much of a legitimate business this whole thing is.

It's strong sense of duty that has him approaching whoever may be currently giving the ring toss game a shot, and one huge, three-fingered hand taps with an almost comical delicacy at a shoulder. ]

You might want to save your money on this one. [ He says it low, like he's afraid of offending the wisp of smoke. You never know. ]

maze!

[stormcalling]

[Unfortunately Valamia has had no greater luck. Although she's caused a bit less damage and cramped spaces that was about the only thing she had managed to avoid thus far. But the fact that there's another person around may be something to be grateful for!

She takes a few steps back if only to give them some space. Being tall in cramped space was a pain and she was making an effort not to make it worse. Curiously though she raises a brow at him because okay yeah the whole place seems to find more and more odd people and things to show her (she's not one to talk).]

Not the way out, no. I did find a spot with a little bit more room.

[rescuee]

[ After more than just the initial glance, he's sure, for a few puzzled seconds, that his new company is another tundan. But no... a closer look uncovers a few differences. Still, he's quick with a friendly smile, feeling a little nostalgic for home already. ]

I'd take that. [ He shuffles forward, his delicately slender, mechanical feet moving carefully to avoid kicking a hole in anything else. ] I can't help but feel that this attraction might've been built for smaller species...

[stormcalling]

[She chuckles under her breath. At least her company is in the same boat as her which did help keep her from being too pessimistic. She looks down at the ground, hoof occasionally scratching at it while she walks.]

I've noticed that a lot of species are a bit shorter. [She holds a hand up to collarbone.] This seems to run on the tall side for taller species I've run into. I wonder sometimes why they're so small.

[Finally she can complain about being tall with someone. Thank the light.]

[rescuee]

[ He shrugs helplessly, with a tiny smile. He's tall even for his species, so he's spent a lot of time hearing the reverse wondered about him. ]

They must not have finished all of their suppers. [ Haha, get it, that's a joke. A little more importantly: ] In any case, would you mind a little company in here? We might be able to find the way out better with two.

maze!

[respired]

[ Koltira does not like this place. He's loathe to look at himself in the eye on a good day, and this is not a good day. The reflections taunt him, surround him, and he'd like nothing more than to smash each one of them to pieces. He's lifting his sword to do just that when he hears someone call out to him.

Scowling, he turns around slowly. ]

If I did, I wouldn't be here right now.

[rescuee]

[ Alright, he'll admit that was a stupid question. ]

A fair point. [ He edges nearer, ducking carefully around a few treacherous walls, and studies the man ahead of him with a bright interest, noting in particular the ears and shade of his skin. He looks almost human... huh. ] Which way are you coming from? We might be able to rule that out.

[ He also saw that bit with the sword, and has the idea that while the people who run this place probably won't appreciate the few cracks he's left in his wake, they really won't appreciate straight up bashing up the mirrors. He'll just keep an eye on this guy for them. ]

[respired]

[ He makes a vague, irritated gesture to the east. ]

That way. If you've found a new path, I'm eager to take it.

[ The man puts him in mind of a draenei, but the details don't quite shake out--no tentacles, for one thing. He seems affable enough. A little wary, perhaps, but that was wise. Koltira feels liable to punch something if he doesn't escape this mirror maze soon. ]

[rescuee]

Good to know. [ He nods, and gestures a little behind and right of himself. ] And we can rule out that way, too. That leaves us with two directions.

[ He offers a smile, cheerful and polite. ]

Would you like to do the honors and make the choice?

[respired]

[ Koltira glowers up at him--been a while since he's had to do that--and ultimately just starts walking. ]

This way, then.

[ He tries to keep his gaze averted as he moves, but the reflections continue to shift and whisper, and it's clear that he's becoming increasingly agitated. His fingers flex against the hilt of his greatsword. ]

[rescuee]

[ Jajo turns to follow his new company — and crashes his shoulder straight into what he was really sure was an empty doorway. The entirety of the mirror cracks and shatters around his shoulder, metal under the cloth of his shirt, and he springs back — into another mirror. He pulls back from it more carefully, but of course the damage is already done. That one's cracked too, leaving Jajo standing in the middle of the very narrow-to-him corridor, surrounded by broken slivers and looking supremely guilty.

It sounds like a good time for an awkward cough. ]

Sorry... I'm... sure they expect some of that. It's a lot of mirrors.

[respired]

Hmm.

[ Koltira stares at the stranger for a few moments, considering. Then, he slams his fist into the mirror beside him--a mirror filled with a mocking, distorted image of his own horrible face--and smiles slightly as the glinting shards crash to the floor. ]

Yes. So many, many mirrors.

[rescuee]

[ Well, this is exactly what he'd been hoping to avoid. He watches this with some dismay, then carefully picks his way forward and out of the glass shards. Whenever he steps on one, his almost comically dainty, metal foot lands with a clink that inevitably turns into a crack. ]

Did that help?

[respired]

[ Koltira glances at that foot--a false limb of some kind?--and back up again. ]

No.

[ He gestures down the corridor. ]

Many more await.

[rescuee]

[ Both feet are the same undeniably mechanical construction — and his large, three-fingered hands too, although they could pass as gauntlets that disappear up into his sleeves. Jajo sighs, but decides to pass on the reminder that that is destruction of property. This guy looks like he doesn't really need his day getting any worse. ]

Maybe we can keep these ones intact.

[ He's... the guiltier party here, after all. He casts one last glance back at the two broken ex-mirrors before he starts forward. ]

Mind if I ask your name, as long as we're fighting through these together?

gamer's circle

[starpact]

[ ah. it's not often that ilyas encounters things larger than him out of the blue, and the sight of jajo over his shoulder gives him a jolt. whew. his wary surprise quickly fixes itself into a grin. there's no reason to be on edge at a carnival, probably. ]

I know I don't seem like I'd be the best shot, but! [ he taps the side of his head with the ring. do you think he can't make it just because he doesn't have depth perception? come on. ] I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

[rescuee]

[ Oh good, his new friend, whoever it is, doesn't stay in the (usually inevitable) startled phase for long. That's nice. His smile goes a little humoring, but of course he won't be one to contest that. Not out loud, anyway. ]

I think there may be more to it than just your aim, is all I mean.

[starpact]

[ he tilts his head, not quite following the implied portion of what jajo's trying to tell him. ]

I don't see what else it could be. The game is rather straightforward, isn't it? [ toss ring, acquire prize... there's not a third step there that he can think of. ]

[rescuee]

[ Okay, well here is kind of a low stakes conundrum. He doesn't want this guy to lose money, but he doesn't want to outright accuse the guy (thing of smoke) running it of cheating. He debates it for a few seconds with a mild frown. ]

Well... I suppose it is. If you really think you're up to it, by all means, I'm sure this proprietor would appreciate the business.

[ Would appreciate his money, but you know, whatever. He takes a step back, to give him a little more space for, presumably, getting started. ]

[starpact]

[ ... huh. well, okay. if this stranger is that noncommittal about it, ilyas definitely doesn't see the problem.

a bit of gold and some unfortunate tosses later, he's left frowning with nothing but a lighter purse. he steals a mildly suspicious glance back at jajo. ] Have you already tried?

[rescuee]

[ He feels a little guiltier every time he pays for another round; but what's worse, insisting he can't do it, or letting him waste money? He still hasn't decided by the time the question is posed. ]

Well, no. But I've watched it played. [ He holds out one large, metal hand for one of the rings. ] May I see that?

[starpact]

[ the prosthetic gives him slight pause, but otherwise, ilyas has no problem handing it over. ]

I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I paid for the round. [ you know, since someone's presuming, already. ] Do your best!

[rescuee]

[ He doesn't, in fact, do his best. Instead he holds the colorful ring up, first eying it, then eying the nearest bottle. After a long while spent scrutinzing, he nods and hands it back over again. ]

They don't fit over the tops of the bottles.

[ He's not completely confident of it, you can only be so certain after eyeballing something, but he's Pretty Damn Sure. ]

[starpact]

What? [ his brow furrows as he takes the ring back, squinting down at it. ] That can't be right. Excuse me--

[ ilyas turns towards the smoke-thing operating the booth, waving the ring at it in an effort to be particularly attention-grabbing. ] Yes, hello-- I think there might be a problem with the game, here. I'm not sure if you were aware?

[rescuee]

[ Oh god, is he — oh god. Jajo jerks like he might try and stop him, but of course by then it's too late, and he's summoned the attention of the wisp. He clears his throat and steps quickly back, half turning to look unengaged. There are limits to these things, and accusing a business-wisp of unfair practices is not something he's quite up to. So, see, these guys at the ringtoss here are totally unrelated, Jajo doesn't even know this guy.

You're on your own, buddy. ]