test drive — winter

[villagemod]

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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Liz Brundy | Brimstone

[silentretribution]

[ooc: Liz is a mute, so she has to rely on signing or notes. Just a heads up, if this is something you'd rather avoid.]

I. Into the Endless

[The cold is made worse by Liz's damp clothes. The river had disappeared, her sawmill had disappeared, everything she had known had disappeared; in its place was endless woods, snow and darkness. She struggled to her feet, her hands and feet still manacled together, but far more cold against her skin then before. Without her cloak and scarf, the wind was more bitter and deafening.

She struggled forward as best she could, falling a few times as her feet tripped over the chains. The fog was thick on either side of the path, but she could at least see ahead of her. It seemed to stretch on forever, but standing still wasn't an option. When finally she stumbled into the clearing, she let out a breath...only to have it stolen the moment the chasm opened up in front of her.

The ground was unsteady, especially with the shackles. She struggled back, feeling her foot twist under her. Landing in the snow with a THUMP, she could only look back at the massive hole and the land beyond it. There was safety that way, there had to be, but the getting there...it seemed impossible. Which way did she go?]

II. The End Approaches

[Liz had grabbed some of the paper from the bulletin board and a pen for her use. Very few were likely to be able to understand sign language and she'd need a way around this barrier. There were some requests that peaked her interest, things that she might later be able to provide. It didn't seem like a midwife was really needed, but there were other things she could do, learned from her life on the frontier.

It was the note though, written in blood that left her nearly paralyzed and panicking.

He is coming

Her mind flashed back to the mountains, to her life before and the world seemed to crumble under her. She staggered backwards, struggling to catch her breath as she hyperventilated. There was no saying who this "he" was, but it didn't matter, her mind latched on to one figure and it terrified her. She grabbed onto the sleeve of someone passing by, unconsciously reaching for help, even if it never did much good before.

She looked up at the stranger as she hyperventilated and nearly collapsed to the ground.]

i. into the endless

[setthetone]

Hey! Hello? Can you hear me?

[There's no reason for him to be out here, checking these paths. Really, he isn't a ranger, he isn't a scout, and frankly? He knows nothing about the woods. Maybe it's his own experiences that drive him out here. Finding himself lost in the woods when he first got to this place, lost, terrified until he finally reached Mathias's outskirts.

Whatever it is, Carter is out here and when he sees the figure slumped in the snow he hurries towards it. Oh God, are those shackles? They're not really a thing in his world - or at least they're not in his inner city bubble so they still have a somewhat shocking effect on him.]

It's okay. I'm here to help. Can you tell me your name?

[silentretribution]

[Her first instinct is to pull back and lift her arms to shield herself, but the quick reassurances help drop her guard. He had a kind enough face and bearing, and while that didn't exactly mean much back home, it was enough for now. She looked back at the chasm and then at him again. A person meant a village was nearby, which meant a blacksmith or something else to get the shackles off.

But here was the trouble. He wanted her name, he wanted to talk and that wasn't exactly easy. There was nothing but to try at least, so she signed:]

I'm Elizabeth Brundy

[She watched him, hoping and praying he might understand sign language.]

[setthetone]

[Oh. He can't sign, he doesn't understand the words but he recognizes the attempts for what they are from his patients. Carter nods to signal that yes, he gets it even if he can't make out her name.]

I don't know what you're saying. [He points at his own hands, shaking his head.] I'm sorry.

[He looks apologetic about that but he points at his mouth, at her, at his ears.]

Do you understand me? I'm a doctor. I can help.

[He motions behind him, back to the path that leads to the village.]

I'll get you out of this cold, okay?

[silentretribution]

[She touched her ears and nodded. She couldn't speak, but she could hear well enough. A doctor was even better. She had relied on one in the past and knew them to at least be understanding and kind. At least there was some luck that he stumbled on her, even if he couldn't understand.

Liz looked to the direction he was pointing and nodded, reaching for his hand so she could get to her feet. He didn't understand sign language but she could at least make some gestures he might know.

She pointed at him, her eyes asking for his name. With that out of the way, she gestured around them and shrugged, uncertain where they were but wanting to know.]

[setthetone]

[Carter smiles and nods again, relieved that she can hear him. It would make communication much easier and he places his hand on his chest briefly before cupping her hand and carefully pulling her up to her feet.]

I'm John. John Carter.

[He follows the motion of her hands and puffs his cheek, mirroring her shrug.]

This place? It's called Mathias. Other than that, I'm not too sure... I woke up here a few days ago, same as you.

[His eyes dart down at her shackles and he frowns, concerned.]

Listen, I... I don't have anything on me to get these off. But I will, okay? Once we're back in town.

[There's something in his voice that promises that while he's not exactly a blacksmith? He'll learn to forge if that's what he has to do. This is just wrong and he feels very strongly about it.]

[silentretribution]

[She pointed to herself and then placed her hands around her neck.]

I died. [She shrugged again. This wasn't Heaven or Hell. It wasn't the place spoken about in church, it was almost like the world she came from. Mathias though...it at least had a name.

She glanced at her hands and gave a small nod. It didn't matter too much. She pointed to herself and made a walking motion.]

I can walk.

[She's not bothered too much. Most would look at this and think she was a criminal, but he only held pity and compassion. It was touching...and worrying.]

into the endless

[exsto]

[ Bucky isn't out in the forest very often and especially not in the later parts of the day when leaving the town of Mathias was taking your life into your own hands. As it were, there were still several hours left in the day and he wants to explore the area a little more thoroughly, maybe try and understand the layout beyond, if at all possible.

It's been a few days since news of a new arrival travels to each person. So, he wasn't exactly expecting to find anyone. And yet, here is a woman, looking as lost as one can be and needing help. ]

Over here!

[ His voice carries, and when she turns to look at the path behind her, she will find a man dressed in dark pants and a navy blue peacoat. It's only when she turns that he sees her manacled hands and when she starts to move he can tell right away that her feet are chained, too.

He moves quickly towards her. ]

[silentretribution]

[She reached for his arm the moment he was close enough. Once she was off her feet, it would be difficult to get back up. The chains were heavy and the shackles felt as if they were cutting into her wrists. She gave a sigh of frustration, once again cursing Nathan silently. No, it was the Reverend. He did this, along with so much worse.

The man next to her looked like the men she had seen township. The beard, long dark hair, it was suited for a cowboy. But the clothes were different enough to keep her slightly at ease. At least for now, she did need his help.

It was unlikely he understood sign language, but she was going to try anyway.]

Where are we?

[exsto]

[ When Bucky reaches her, he first steadies her, glancing down at the type of bindings on her wrist and how it won't take long before they will break the skin. But, there's something else that gets his attention before he attempts to remove them and that's her signing.

Blue eyes narrow a little and he starts to shake his head, but not in understanding of what she's trying to ask. It was that she is mute. ]

I don't understand sign language. Are you asking where we are?

[ It seems the first obvious question that most would make. It was the first he asked. ]

[silentretribution]

[Dammit. It's not as if she wasn't expecting that response, but it still was disappointing to hear. Without her daughter to interpret for her, she would have to rely on wide ranging gestures anyone could understand. But that also limited her speech further.

He guessed the question though, which meant a number of people must have asked it before her. Did that mean several showed up in this location.

She nodded, grateful that could be answered.]

[exsto]

[ He moves a gloved hand to take hold of one wrist, turning the inside up as he figures out the best way to squeeze the metal in such a way that he won't break her hand trying. Bucky looks at her. ]

I can break the chain so you can at least walk and then I can show you where you can find shelter and we can work to get them off completely.

[ Bucky waits for her okay to go ahead. He'll tell her where they are after that. ]

[silentretribution]

[Her hands were less concerning to her. She lifted her skirts a bit, letting him see where the giant chain was not only connected to her hands but her feet as well. Whether he had the strength to actually free her, she had less confidence. It was possible, as Bismuth was more known for its Cat Houses than Blacksmiths.

She lifted one of her feet, offering it out to him. Since he couldn't read sign language, her hands could manage this for a bit. Speed would be essential to get wherever he was taking her.]

II The end approaches

[tinstar]

[The Town Hall was important whether Raylan liked it or not. Whether it reminded him of one grumpy Englishman or not - if something was going to change, Raylan had bets that it would be here. The Bulletin board alone was a source of daily interest with the additions and adjustments that were made by not only the people stolen here by.. whatever had taken them, but by whatever had taken them itself.

Someone had to keep track.

While he expected to see other people there, he didn't expect to be grabbed by the new face he'd been passing behind. His intent was to look into John's office to see if he'd come back before addressing her but..

The way she was breathing, the frantic grip on his jacket sleeve automatically sent up every protective and red flag he had.] Hey- [He barley got the word out before she wavered and it seemed necessary to lightly wrap his free arm around her.]

Hey. It's alright, what's wrong?

[silentretribution]

[She gestures to the paper in her hand, the one with the dire warning 'He is coming' written in blood. Her mind was frozen but her heart was in overdrive. Leaning into his weight, she dropped her head, trying to get her breathing under control but every thought, every remembrance left her shaking.

He wasn't pushing her, jostling her or doing any of the things she had known men to do over the years. It was like being next to Samuel. A kind figure in a tumultuous moment. Refuge and a harbor as she nearly drowned.

When finally she could take one breath and then another steadily without gasping or hyperventilating, she pulled out her notepad and pen, guessing he wouldn't be able to understand sign language either.

She wrote:]

He can't come here.

[tinstar]

[Yes, he saw the note and had to remind himself that when he'd first arrived, it had caused him quite a bit of concern himself.

But she clearly needed a minute and he had them. More than he wanted. As many as she needed. His features pinched a little, head tilting so he could read her writing in orientation. She was right - he didn't know sign language.]

Who? [He nodded at the other piece of paper in her hand.] Him? How-- Who do you think that's talkin' about?

[He didn't have the eventual end answer, but she was clearly.. confused somehow. He had to start somewhere.]

[silentretribution]

[She scribbled the reply frantically, her eyes darting up to scan the horizon:]

The Reverend. He can't come again. People will die.

[She had seen enough of that. Everyone she cared for, everyone that had a moment of interaction with her...which made her stare up at the stranger in momentary horror. Oh God, what would the Reverend do to him as well? A moment's kindness would be all it took. Kindness could not be allowed without some form of retribution to make her suffer. It was Hell he meant to show and innocent lives paid for it.]

None of us can stay here if he finds us.

[tinstar]

[Raylan read the note and then shook his head, free hand coming up to gesture at the note she'd taken off the board and then, at nothing in particular as he spoke.]

No Reverends here - I don't think that note is the same 'He' you're lookin' for. No one's been murdered by anyone else here.. Yet. [The addition came with a soft wince. Not exactly the most reassuring, but some of them had died, just not at each other's hands...

Yet.]

And if someone does start, trust me, they ain't gonna get far in this cage of wild monkeys.

[silentretribution]

[In thinking about it rationally, it's pretty obvious she jumped to conclusions. There were moments where she forgot that there were people from other worlds and this wasn't the West. His shadow was so ever present though, always looming and seemingly larger in this place than anywhere else...it was a natural jump to make.

She flushed, making a sheepish face. Not only had she lost her cool, she had done it in front of a stranger. That didn't exactly make her feel integrated into this community.

Rather than apologize or focus on her mistake, she pushed ahead with what was the most obvious question, writing:]

Then who is 'he?'

The end approaches

[moosey]

(Sam looks at the board nearly every day as if something about the words up there would change if he only stared hard enough.

He stood there as the young woman passed him by, grabbing his sleeve. He caught her slight form easily and slowly lowered them both to the floor. Sam looked the woman over quickly. )

It's okay. (Sam spoke quietly but clearly. He saw the paper and the pen and decided to take a chance.)

My name is Sam. What's yours?

(was signed slowly but correctly, if his hunch was right.)

[silentretribution]

[It's enough to catch her off guard and take her mind momentarily from the threat. That small break lets her body catch her breath naturally, the hyperventilating subsiding as she stares at Sam in surprise.

Not simply the signing, the name as well. Both are a shock and a kindness she didn't expect to find here.]

Liz Brundy

[She swallows back emotion, adding:]

My daughter's name is Sam

[moosey]

(Sam smiles at her. Thankful that he was right. It made things easier. )

how old is your daughter?

[silentretribution]

[She's silent for a time, staring off into the distance as she crumples the bloodied note in her hand. There was only one age her daughter would ever be for her, as she would never get to see the rest.

Being here and being dead ensured that.]

Seven, but clever at seven.

[moosey]

(Sam thought that maybe he asked the wrong thing. Liz looked so far away and lost. He released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding until he saw her hands begin to move.)

I remember seven. I don't think my brother thought I was clever though. Where are you from?

[silentretribution]

A sawmill near Bismuth, out west.

[There was no name for the spot. It was remote, isolated and quiet. All things she loved and cherished for the brief time that she was there. That was over now.]