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

[tuishou]

The Hall ought to be one of the older buildings here; it certainly held the importance of one with such history. It was a behemoth of a thing for such a town, and even entering the threshold made the boy think he should first have asked permission, though such a thought is a silly thing. If one works in the damned city, then one has all the rights to its places that belong to all and none in particular. He'd set about his evening to look not the part of some tourist--

There are records kept here, old dates and happenings, and he was being pulled to find them and know them, if they were ever worth the while.

Somewhere along the line, he'd encountered the man with the mark on his face. First time, Neji was certain feigning ignorance of the man was the right call. Second time they bumped into each other's space, and the stairs mocked them as they winded down, down... made Neji want to pull a face. A ringing in his ears sing-songs something about Fate, and it's incredibly difficult to

not act as if he's just taken those two words sourly, really. "How generous of you, sir," he says, and wonders: why this, why now? "Seeing as you have been here before, then I shall assume you will know our way back out. What may we find there that will be worth the dark, sir?"

[major_rawne]

"A place like this has treasure enough for at least two men," he says, "we would be fools not to seek it out."

He peers into the darkness, but cannot see any detail of what lies within.

[tuishou]

Oh. "And here you looked to me more a hunter of men than one of treasures." Though, for all of their intent (of which there is plenty), the words ring casual. So, no-- the other had no idea of what lay beyond, either.

That was encouraging.

There was the pull, though. The bewitching curiosity.

Information was what it was, and Neji cast his companion one quick glance (no knife poised to plunge into his back?) before beginning the descent. "And you would buy with that treasure, what, sir? A new name, so the Lords of this country don't take what's theirs from your hand?"

[major_rawne]

"I could be both," his voice is cold. He doesn't like people asking too probing questions. "I could by a path out of here and a life in some distant land."

No, he's not going to stab anyone in the back. Yet.

[tuishou]

The boy lets the dismissal serve its purpose. His lips set in a small frown, not that it means much of anything. The frown is for the darkness overtaking the light, for the staircase coming to its end to show only smooth floor ahead. For the notion of a new life. He hums a disagreement.

"There may be a door- I believe I see it ahead. What promise have we the passage we came through will remain open until our return, sir?"

Not that he cares, by the way he travels to hold a hand to a cool wall of this new room, scouting corners before ever facing the treasure-hunter again.

[major_rawne]

"Perhaps if we wedge it open, somehow," he says, "we could used a piece of wood or metal. Not very widely open, but enough to be able to leave."

[tuishou]

He nods and in the dim light he isn't sure why he bothered. "I leave that to you."

In his sort-of retaliation for being made to go down the steps first-- yes he's petty shut up. Not to mention, "It makes no sense to have us both up and down the steps again for that simple job. Meanwhile I will search what I believe is ahead."

[major_rawne]

Rawne rolls his eyes, not that the other man could see. "Do as you will."

He crouches and searches the floor until he finds a suitable object, then climbs back up and mostly closes the door, wedging the piece under it. Then he goes back down.

[tuishou]

It'd been nothing. His target, he means. The room had been a simple nook for what Neji can assume had used to be storage. When Star-Mark returns and there's significantly less light to see by, Neji hands over the torch. Unlit. Naturally.

Let the man's curiosity cost him a match at least, because if the two of them take their lasts breaths in this claustrophobic labyrinth Neji doubts there will be mourning for any marked property.

What's valuable is usually kept spotless.

"There more steps just ahead, behind a turn. They are less worn than these."

[major_rawne]

Rawne takes the torch and lights it with a one of his matches that he pulled out of a pocket. The room they're in is indeed empty of everything save dust and cobwebs.

"Something old, then. Something forgotten."

[tuishou]

He doesn't think they will find treasures either, not exactly. But it's damn near impossible to find or bring forth the will to turn away from this... adventure. It could be unnerving. It isn't.

"It's been a while now since I was last on an expedition squadron." Which is to say, a part of him is chomping at the bit to go on. He gives, he thinks, no more and no less information about himself than what Star-Mark has already graced him with.

The newer stairway is narrower, not as deep but the shallow decline is more twisted. By the torch's light- "What do you make of the portrait there?" Which is to say-- he knows little more than jack shit over Lords of neighboring lands.

[major_rawne]

Rawne feels an equal push to go on, but assumes it's merely eagerness for riches.

He holds the torch near the portrait and examines it. "No one I've seen before, but he looks like some of the portraits upstairs. Or near enough to be family."

[tuishou]

He can't help it, he snorts. It's amusement and welcomed. Just wait their promised riches are the coffin and carcass of a nobleman.

"Grave robbing is a profession, I suppose." And he trudges on, brows furrowed in thought. "...sir." An afterthought of a habit, lackluster as it's tacked on.

"You did not enter the Hall to search for hidden treasure so deep in its belly, did you, sir?"

[major_rawne]

"I did not, but I take opportunities when I can," he says, unbending a little at the "sir." He's not technically an officer, not anymore, but he does like the reminder.