TDM The First

[lethevale_mods]

You probably know how this works, but just in case, here's the idea:

1. You put the name of the character you're testing out in the subject line
2. You write a starter (or several!) in the comment, with the Lethevale AU of your character.
3. People respond with their characters. Threads occur. Friendships are made. The world is put to rights.
4. None of the threads in the Test Drive are game-canon.

Here are some prompts to start you off!

1. Seeking Shelter

You were riding along the mountain road when your horse, terrified by some dark shadow you couldn't see clearly, screamed and bolted, throwing you. Now you're caught in the middle of nowhere, in Lethe Wood, and the rain is getting heavier by the minute.

But what's that? A light? A house? Perhaps if you knock, they'll give you a bed for the night. It'll all look better in the morning...

 

 

2. The Beast! The Terrible Beast!

You took all the precautions. You carried a lantern, kept to the safer streets. Or maybe you didn't. Either way, you were attacked by something as big as a horse, with gleaming white teeth and a hideous howl.

When you run into another person, will you warn them? Will you ask them for a hiding place, or stand and fight? If all else fails, maybe you can use them as live bait...

 

3. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Lethevale isn't all monsters and storms. Mostly, but not all. Tonight, there's a party in the Black Swan - dancing, music, and of course, an open bar. Take the chance to get to know your neighbours, why don't you?

4. Pay No Attention To The Passage Behind The Curtain

The two of you were just wandering around Lethe Hall, when you leant on a candlestick, and... what's this? The bookshelf's opened? There's a hole in the wall now, and a spiral staircase leading down into the dark. You know, it's probably best to just leave well enough alone - but you have to admit, it's curious...

COMMS	GENERAL INFO	NEW PLAYERS	CURRENT PLAYERS
main writings ooc mods mod npcs	rules setting premise faq/mod contact gameplay	reserves taken latest tdm application au workshop	contact (locked) hiatus/drop calendar latest hmd lethevale

Comments

[major_rawne]

"Professor Beregond?" He asks. He may share nothing of himself, but he's curious about others. Learning about them often gives him leverage over them. "And unless you have another horse, I do need a bed."

He looks outside, at the rain and darkness. No, he does not want to go out into that.

[insufficientjewel]

"My employer." Francis, for his part, has few qualms about sharing information. He has nothing to hide, after all. He nods a little, and gets up to clear the suitcases off the other bed, so that his guest can rest whenever he needs. Over his shoulder, he continues: "He is a very learned man, a lecturer and researcher in anthropology and folklore at the Imperial University of Warsaw. He... saw potential in me, I suppose." There is a fondness in his voice, a gratitude. "I did not expect to be entrusted with his research trip, but..."

[major_rawne]

"So you are a scholar." He files that away, classifying Francis as weak and easily manipulated in his head. Those with book learning, he has often found, lack common sense. "And at least one man respects you. Admirable."

He mostly sounds like he means it.

[insufficientjewel]

At that, Francis laughs quietly, shaking his head. "Not a scholar," he corrects, as he returns to his seat and picks up his cup again. "Only a clerk. I have neither the breeding nor the finances to expect much more. Truthfully, it's a wonder that Professor Beregond would leave this matter to me at all, and not find some student more suited to accompany me. Not that I am complaining, you understand."

[major_rawne]

"No, the responsibility must be nice." He smiles, slightly. It makes him look more approachable, maybe even friendly.

[insufficientjewel]

"It is." It's a relief to see that smile, some greater humanity from this grim stranger sitting at his fire. Francis returns it with a smile of his own, nodding. "It's certainly the most rewarding job I've ever had. There is only so much accounting and letter-writing one can do before one's mind begins to stultify."

[major_rawne]

"I can imagine." He's never done any of that himself, except the occasional letter to people he doesn't want anyone else to know he knows. Mostly criminals. But he has certainly been around enough clerks to know their work is largely boring.

[insufficientjewel]

Francis falls silent for another long moment, frowning down at his tea, and then looks up sharply, clearing his throat. "I have been remiss," he says, and sounds genuinely concerned by his own failing. "I should have asked - have you eaten? I don't have a great deal to offer, but in that cold, you must be hungry. There is bread, and I think some cheese, and a little stew."

[major_rawne]

He's about to say that he's not hungry, but then his stomach growls. "It appears that I am, Mr. Fletcher. Stew would not be amiss."

[insufficientjewel]

Nodding, Francis goes over to retrieve what food he can from the larder in the corner, clattering pots and pans a little as he settles an almost-empty pan of stew over the fire.

"Did you have far to go?" he asks after a while, passing the other man a tin plate, a hunk of bread and hard cheese on it. "When you were caught by this storm, I mean."

[major_rawne]

"Not too far, I believe," he says, "I was trying to reach the town before the storm hit."

As the scent of the stew begins to waft around the room, his stomach growls again.

[insufficientjewel]

"Then you are only half a mile short." Francis nods, seemingly satisfied by this answer. In truth, he's relieved; he had worried that the man might be going further than this, that he might be stranded now. But if he means to go to town in any case... "If your horse survives the night, perhaps it may be caught there. If not, there is a stable at the King's Head - their horses may not be the finest, but they will carry you if you need it, I think."

Smiling, he spoons out a generous bowl of stew and holds it out to Gaunt. It isn't entirely as hot as it could be, but he imagines any hot food will come as a relief to someone in such a state.

[major_rawne]

"That is good to know," he says, taking the bowl. He starts eating quickly, like a man used to consuming as much as possible before he might be called away from his dinner. It isn't the best he's eaten, but it's far from the worst, as well.