villagemod: (Default)
The Village Mod ([personal profile] villagemod) wrote in [community profile] villagememes2020-11-19 10:10 pm
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test drive — winter



WINTER TEST DRIVE

Welcome to the test drive and thank you for your interest in The Village. This test drive is not game canon but will allow players the opportunity to experiment with game mechanics, the setting, and the flexibility of choice allowed by this game. The following prompts are examples of typical situations characters might face in the game. At least one thread from the TDM is required as part of the game's application process.

The setting details and locations are still being unveiled in the game, so prospective players are welcome to play with established locations or create their own within the general setting of Mathias.

( Recommended listening: )





INTO THE ENDLESS

Winter has arrived in Mathias. Snow falls steadily, big puffy flakes that pile up quickly in drifts as the wind blows them around town. The trees in the forest are covered in it, the branches bending under the weight and shaking when the piles fall from them to the forest floor. The roofs of buildings become solid white and drifts form in doorways as the wind tries to rush inside anywhere it can.

New arrivals wake in the forest, with its winding paths twisting back on themselves as they branch in either direction. It isn't safe to stray from the path, there is a menacing fog that waits just a few yards inward in any direction, but for now, there is nothing impeding movement along those snow-covered paths that cut through the trees. Continue stumbling in one direction and you'll reach the small town, coming out near the mishmash of quaint houses that nestle beside crumbling ruins that used to be homes. But choose the other and you'll seem to stumble on forever, huddling against the wind until there seems to be a clearing up ahead—

And then nothing. The earth opens up before you in a ravine so deep that the bottom cannot be seen. The other side can be seen, tantalizingly out of reach, and there is the sense that safety is just beyond, if only you could get there. But with that sensation is also the knowledge that if you stay here, you will die. The edge seems unsteady, like getting too close would set it crumbling and send you tumbling into that dark endless nothing that waits below...


BODIES WITHOUT SOULS

Benedict Books is nestled quaintly on the square surrounding Mathias's Town Hall, a thick layer of dirt covering the front windows. Looking through those windows provides a much different view than looking directly into the shop through the doorway — vague shapes and forms of figures seem to be inside, though no details can be determined through the streaks of grime. Flickers that resemble flashlights can be seen passing along the windows from time to time, and on occasion there is even a muffled tapping sound that comes from behind the glass, as if someone is trying to get your attention. The same distorted figures can be seen looking through the windows from the inside outward, but moving from one side or the other reveals... nothing. There is nothing there, and perhaps it is all in your imagination.

A portrait hangs at the front of the store to illustrate the namesake of the little shop... that may, in fact, not be so little. Dust covers everything in sight and detritus litters the wooden floor, as if someone left the door open and allowed half the forest inside.

The books are mostly familiar titles from the 1990s and earlier, but close examination will reveal that key details seem to have been changed. They fill shelves in neat lines along the walls and rows in between, the building almost seeming to stretch on forever until, finally, a small office can be seen tucked away in the back. A glance back toward the front door gives the impression that the room isn't that big, after all. Strange that you previously thought so.

Prying the door open is the only way to get inside the small office; the hinges have rusted and are caked with dirt and grime. Search as you might, there are no interesting bits of information to be found here beyond a few inventory lists on the little desk. There is, however, a green and gold safe in the corner that, no matter how many times one turns the dial, simply clicks and clicks. Scratches around the safe indicate that someone tried to get in at one point, though there's no indication as to whether they succeeded.


THE END APPROACHES

Standing at the center of Mathias, the town hall is a modest two-story building that would be welcoming if not for the faded sign, chipped paint, and deafening silence within its empty halls. It's a typical government building, with a reception desk at the front and rows of identical offices within, the names half faded from each door. But what catches the attention is a large bulletin board on the main wall beside the reception desk, once meant to hold flyers or announcements for the community.

What it holds now is decidedly different. Tacked onto the board are scraps of paper covered in an assortment of handwriting styles — requests for supplies should anyone find them, pieces of information shared in the hopes of someone understanding the strange symbols and mathematical equations, notes about those missing or recently deceased. And over the center of the board, tacked on top of other papers, is a map discolored with age. Mathias Township can be read in the corner, a stretch of forest displayed beneath it, but everything else has been smeared to illegibility with red... ink? Upon close examination, a keen eye will realize that the ink is actually blood, though whether it is human is unknown. And scrawled across that forest, nearly covering the illustration of a clearing and a large house within, are the words

he is coming

A number of tarnished metal pushpins are scattered around the edges of the board, waiting for future messages to be shared, and a stack of pristine white paper and pile of cheap ballpoint pens rest on one of three chairs beside the board. The chairs are clearly meant for those waiting for meetings and are covered in the same layer of grime as everything else in the building — everything except the pens, paper, and bulletin board.


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meticulousity: (cf14250250)

[personal profile] meticulousity 2021-02-03 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ elena's footsteps don't register right away, which is another thing that pings in caroline's head as 'wrong' - she should have been able to hear her way sooner, shouldn't she? but whatever worries she has are temporarily forgotten when she whirls around and sees her friend standing behind her, dressed way more appropriately for the weather and looking as if she's afraid to hope that what she's seeing is real. ]

Elena! [ she doesn't hesitate, just runs to her and reaches for her hand - she'd hug her, but now that she's close she can hear her heartbeat, how quick and scared it is, and she doesn't want to do anything to make that worse. at the same time, what she's said is strange enough for her to frown at it, shaking her head. ]

What do you mean, I wasn't supposed to come? You're not even supposed to be here, are you? Wait - where are we?
Edited 2021-02-03 16:33 (UTC)
exsto: (24)

[personal profile] exsto 2021-02-03 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
No, there's no ducking or dodging because right after he hears his name, he's almost off his feet by the momentum of a near tackle by his best friend. Still, he can't help the 'oof' that escapes and the laugh that follows it.

"Good to see you, man," Bucky says, slapping a hand on his back twice before pulling back to see Steve's face. "You have any idea what the hell is going on here?"

tinstar: (Default)

[personal profile] tinstar 2021-02-03 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
The fact that there's a return smile at all says something on it's own; better this than finding someone else covered in blood and losing their mind in front of him. This guy looks a little bit more well put together in the mental wellbeing regard, though the bar wasn't high at all anymore. Raylan wouldn't be able to explain everything, but he'd come around to not minding what he did end up relaying.

"Those are the ones." His amble brought him to a stop an arms length away, with a glance over the bulletin board.

"Responsible communicators use it for that, yeah. I tend to just find the people I need and tellin' them what I need to to their face but some of our number are... enamoured with the whole actual physical pen and paper thing. No cell towers, no Radio towers either, that I can tell. Just.. Northeastern forest and bullshit."
exsto: (21)

[personal profile] exsto 2021-02-03 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
He didn't think so. Not when it sounded like no one was really running the place if money isn't needed. Bucky already knows what he's going to be doing for the foreseeable future. Without knowing how long he'll be there, he wants to know who is behind it all and if it is HYDRA.. well, he'll cross that bridge when gets there.

Bucky follows where the other man is pointing and while he's still looking off, he nods. "Got it," What else is there to say? The basics are good to know but as far as anything deeper goes, he'll work on that on his own.

"Name's Bucky, by the way," he offers. "And you are?"
abrightboy: (presses lips)

[personal profile] abrightboy 2021-02-03 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm Bright," he said, offering his hand. "Malcolm Bright. I live at 1306, with the cowboys. Is there anything else I can help you find?"
divaricate: berks @ dw (WANDAVISION ● 459)

[personal profile] divaricate 2021-02-03 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"I haven't. That's a work in progress, since there's probably a less creepy building to hang out in than this lovely one here." Well, hopefully, anyway, she means. "Does Bigfoot come out at night here, or something like that? Mothman, maybe?" Would that surprise her? No. No it would not.
abrightboy: (has a suspicion)

[personal profile] abrightboy 2021-02-03 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"......No. Nothing like that. Just. Creepiness and... voices in the dark and... sometimes death by fog," he tells her.

His caution is echoed by the notices on the board, one of which was penned by him.

"Better safe than sorry," he explains sagely.
moosey: (Default)

III

[personal profile] moosey 2021-02-03 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
If Sam knew anything, he knew how to research. This place didn't have the resources that the Bunker had but Sam seemed so sure that the Library would help him find something, anything that might help explain all of this. Sam stepped out of the Library and into Mathias proper.

He promised Dean that he would avoid the fog so he was alert as he walked towards the bulletin board in town.

"Hey, anything interesting?"
descendent: STEFAN. (pic#14418008)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-02-03 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ elena laughs, finding the sound sheepish and almost tentative in wanting to believe the hand holding hers is real. how many times had she expressed quietly to herself that she missed her friends? she misses her aunt, stefan, caroline and her speed-talking and bonnie with her quiet calm. she had never wanted them to be here until she had found her answers. she doesn't think they should be allowed here, given they're all meant to be alive.

but, selfishly, she's glad that mathias has given her someone else.

she knows she should open her mouth and answer her questions, but elena does the one thing that she hasn't done to anyone since waking up in the snow. she pulls her hand out of caroline's, steps into her and gives her a bone-shattering (for a human) hug.

resting her chin on her shoulder, she smiles, eyes pricking with hot tears. ]


I'll answer your questions, just... [ drawing in a breath, she can't stop herself from smiling. ] I'm really glad you are okay. And you're here, even though you shouldn't be.
exsto: (32)

[personal profile] exsto 2021-02-03 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Had he come from around 2014, it might have been more murderous and less losing his mind, though the definition of that could be pretty interchangeable when talking about the Winter Soldier. Luckily, this place got the more recovered version of Bucky Barnes and that was a very good thing.

The comment about those preferring pen and paper gets a guilty little smile. Then again, one would be hard-pressed to find anyone from the 40's that chose otherwise.

"I'm okay with that," he replies, nodding before adding, "What about a salvage yard?"

He's not sure he'll ever need it and he hopes to God he doesn't because Wakandan technology is pretty one of a kind from what Shuri has shown him. But it's good to know regardless.
tinstar: (Peering over yonder)

[personal profile] tinstar 2021-02-03 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
It put Bucky above him; Raylan didn't write unless he had to, he didn't really email - it was phone calls and face to face meetings for him. Then again, he was on the move the majority of the time and there wasn't time enough for doing that kind stuff. Had been. Past tense, now.

"A salvage yard?" His eyebrows lifted in surprise before he blinked a couple of times. "That's a new one. No, no salvage yard, no jail, though we do have a record shop and a clinic." His lips curled down, in a thoughtful facial shrug. "When we find the fishin' ports, you might find somethin' there, if it's anything like the boatyards I've seen."

No, he didn't have the slightest idea what someone would want with a salvage yard except for tinkering. Was he an inventor or something?

"Raylan Givens," he introduced, with a nod of his head.
exsto: (40)

[personal profile] exsto 2021-02-03 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Bucky had done his initial stare of the bulletin board, then talked to some people. He took a look around the place, opened up some doors, glanced around some offices and then found himself staring at the board again. Not because he was that bored, but because of the symbols.

When he hears a voice, he jumps ever so slightly, not realizing he was so deep in thought. He steadies his breathing and looks over to the man stepping up beside him.

"Not really," Bucky answers. "Nothing that makes any sense."
exsto: (23)

[personal profile] exsto 2021-02-03 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
There might have been a joke in there, but Bucky wasn't the type. Still, he shakes his head.

"I don't want to keep you, but if I think of anything else that I can't answer on my own I got your address," he answers, giving a faint smile in appreciation.
meticulousity: (cf14642576)

[personal profile] meticulousity 2021-02-03 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ well, so to speak. caroline's not about to argue schematics right now, though, not when elena's looking at her like she'd never thought she'd see her again before pulling her into a tight, enveloping hug.

she's a little thrown off and a lot worried, but she's not about to deny elena of something she's very evidently in need of, hugging her back tightly and being mindful not to squeeze her too hard. ]


I'm okay, I swear I'm okay. [ it doesn't feel like they're anywhere that's safe, but she's not hurt and no one's chasing or torturing her. she is a little afraid that elena keeps saying she shouldn't be here, though. ]
abrightboy: (smile between friends)

[personal profile] abrightboy 2021-02-03 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
“Stop by any time,” Malcolm told him. “Our roommate Neal is a gourmet chef of sorts, so if your timing is lucky, you could end up sitting down to a great meal.”

He gave Bucky a wave as he headed in the direction of Philips Drive.
descendent: (pic#14623548)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-02-03 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ after everything that's happened, the one thing elena's been missing is a hug. she can't ask elijah for one; he's still so new to her, despite how familiar he is. she can't ask helen or yennefer (god forbid) or even john. elena hadn't realised she had been aching for someone so familiar.

elena frowns and pulls back, hands curling around caroline's biceps. she looks at her like a mother hen would her chick. ]


Are you cold? We should get you a coat.
exsto: (29)

[personal profile] exsto 2021-02-04 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
It was handwritten, detailed notes in a book about his prior life that were easier for Bucky. Doing it helped log the occasionally random memory flash or information he gathered, which was often looked at with hopes of remembering something more. But each person was different.

Bucky throws a shoulder up in a half shrug. There was no sense in worrying about it. As long as there wasn't another war he was sure the arm would hold up. And if there was a maintenance room somewhere in the mix, there was a good chance he might find some hex keys to ensure full function.

"Bucky Barnes," he pulls both hands out of his pocket but offers his right. "I appreciate the information. I'm mostly looking for tools, maybe hex keys, gear oil, that kind of thing."
meticulousity: (cf14642574)

[personal profile] meticulousity 2021-02-04 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ they've known each other since they were babies, practically. there are things she knows about her simply from having known her so long, but she's never been great at being intuitive. but something about the way elena's holding on to her tells caroline that this is something she's really needed, and she's happy to hold on for however long elena needs her to.

elena does pull back eventually and caroline smiles back at her, trying to be reassuring. see, i'm fine, i'm here, things are gonna be okay. she has no way of knowing that and things have a tendency to be the farthest thing from okay around them lately, but she's gonna try to make things as okay as they can be. ]


Yeah, I am. I'm quicker these days, but it's still snowing out there. [ caroline frowns, her gaze sweeping elena up and down. ] Where'd you get your coat? How long have you been here?

[ it seems impossible, she could swear she'd just seen her at home. ]
descendent: (pic#14479244)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-02-04 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ pressing her lips together, elena feels a little sheepish. she's not the kind of person who steals, not unless it's life or death. and maybe this was. she's only a mere human; the snow will terrify her blood into freezing worse than any hybrid ever could. ]

From one of the houses. [ she lifts a hand to gesture over her shoulder. if it's not the right direction of the houses, she wouldn't know. ] This town is abandoned, so there's a lot of free stuff lying around. We'll get you a coat and a scarf.

[ with that objective in mind, elena feels a lot more useful. she can help caroline; she can finally be the one doing the helping rather than being helped. ]

I can try and explain everything, just… not here.

[ as trusting and open as some people are, she still doesn't trust everyone here. she doesn't trust this town. ]
meticulousity: (cf14642571)

[personal profile] meticulousity 2021-02-04 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Abandoned?

[ she's about to ask something else, but elena mentions not wanting to do it here, and caroline can understand why. she hasn't seen anyone else since waking up in the woods, but that doesn't mean there's not someone else here, and she's learned to not be quite as trusting when it comes to strangers. she nods, reaching for elena's hand again and squeezing it gently, giving her a tiny smile. ]

Okay. Show me where we're going.
pythianwoman: (::knowing smile::)

[personal profile] pythianwoman 2021-02-04 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
“Is it? Surely I could just be a philosopher or something like that?” Zoey asks with a grin. She tucks the book into her satchel. She’s definitely keeping that one, because the Trojans sure as hell didn’t win that war in the stories. And it’s the same for every book she’s picked up so far. Key details are DIFFERENT. She might just have to gather all of the books she knows like the back of her hand back home. Really sit down and study them. “Except you’re right, I am. And I’m asking every variation of it. As pointless as it is.”

Oh yeah. “Hi. I take it you’ve been here a while, then.”
pythianwoman: (Default)

[personal profile] pythianwoman 2021-02-04 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
With as empty as this place – Mathias – is, Zoey doesn’t expect there to be anyone else, really. And a lot of her attention is focused on the board. Reading the notes, waiting to see if her little blood sacrifice of a note did anything. So far, nothing. Doesn’t mean it’s actually not doing anything, though. Could be delayed. And will probably bite her in the ass, later.

The sound of another voice has her spinning on her heels and reaching for a dagger she no longer has. Not that she’s not just as dangerous without it, though. She’s learned. But it’s nothing; her skin didn’t prickle in warning at his approach so he’s probably safe. In so far that anyone is, anyway. She exhales, relaxes a little. “Sure am,” she replies, voice laced with what sounds like an English accent. England by way of a few other places, though. (It’s a bit of a hodgepodge thanks to all the moving around she did as a kid.)
abrightboy: (concession)

[personal profile] abrightboy 2021-02-04 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just over three weeks," he told her.

Hence why he looked a little dragged under a door. Hence why his hair was just a little too long for its style. Hence why his clothes are clearly not his; they're too long and his cuffs are rolled up. Hence why his features are pale and a little pinched.

"Is... is this your first stop?" he asked. "Or have you found somewhere to shelter already?"
pythianwoman: (head-tilt)

[personal profile] pythianwoman 2021-02-04 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Three weeks. Fucking HELL. Obviously leaving isn’t in the cards. And obviously Mathias is hard on the constitution. Which Zoey had started to figure, given how badly it gives her the creeps.

“One of them,” she tells him. “Wanted to get the lay of the land. Map Mathias out a little.” Wanted to try and figure out why this place gives me the heebie fucking jeebies. Not that she’d expected answers so quickly. Or easily. But she’d hoped. She shakes her head. “Haven’t found anywhere to shelter yet.”
abrightboy: (well?)

[personal profile] abrightboy 2021-02-04 07:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Malcolm's problems ran so much deeper than being stuck and having the heebie jeebies, though they were a factor in his edginess.

"You'll want to do that before nightfall," he told her matter-of-factly. "But if you want to take your time deciding, there are rooms at the boarding house still," he said pointing towards the window and, through it, the street. "You can stay there, or you can stay there until you decide if you want to take one of the empty houses. You might even make some friends and decide there's safety in numbers and take a house together."