Test Drive Meme #2: Fallow

[royaldecreemods]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to the Royal Decree Test Drive Meme!

If you're new here – hi, hello, welcome! This is your chance to give your potential character a little test run and see how they might fit into the world of Rosavelle. You can find all the relevant info over on our Navigation Page, so take a peek if you need to get caught up on the setting, rules, or just want to gnaw on the worldbuilding a bit.

This TDM is non-canon to the game overall, but feel free to treat individual threads or CR as canon between characters if everyone involved agrees. We've included some prompts and locations below to help spark ideas, but as always, feel free to go off-script and go ham!

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When Fallow fully arrives, the blustery winds and swirling snow of Wilting seem to hush all at once and what remains is a serene, crystalline stillness. Every non-evergreen plant has tucked itself into a deep slumber, conserving strength for the next season and waiting patiently for their time to bloom again. This deep into the cold season, snow rarely falls but frost paints everything it can touch, freezing the grounds and making the canals slow with thick ice. The wind coming in from the Azurite Sea is sharp enough to sting and on some mornings even the bravest islanders hesitate at their doorways before stepping out.

As the weeks move on though, Fallow begins to soften. The cold eases bit by bit, the ice loosens its grip, the first hints of green begin to peek through the frost. Budding isn't far behind, and you can feel it stirring.

By now you've likely found your footing in the ebb and flow of island life, and you know how things go around here: when someone needs a little warmth, a little effort, or a little magic, the people of Rosavelle come together - and that includes you!

PROMPTS

Frost Crab Caper

The fishermen of Maerlys bring troubling news: frost crabs - normally dormant until the heart of Fallow - have started scuttling unexpectedly across the wharf a good few weeks earlier than expected. They're harmless (except for when they get mad enough to pinch you) but extremely mischievous and have begun stealing shiny objects: rings, hairpins, lanterns, and occasionally whole baskets of fruit. A daytime crew have assembled to return all the stolen objects back to their owners while a late-night round-up party has formed, complete with lanterns, nets, and bribery snacks - you're welcome to join either one! Try to lure the crabs back toward their proper nesting grounds, retrieve pilfered trinkets or just end up leading a parade of clicking claws down the dock. At least you'll be able to break the ice with one of your fellow volunteers… hopefully?

A Steamy Situation

The Marelys springs have undergone an odd change - the steam has begun shifting hues when the light hits it and there are iridescent petals floating on the surface that definitely weren't there yesterday. According to locals, this is their usual seasonal shift that happens around Fallow and despite the effects, it's nothing to be worried about. What are the effects, you ask? Well, it seems like anyone bathing in the spring (or just hanging out close enough) when the steam changes colours gets hit with a little mood-misting enchantments. These impulses range from "suddenly giggly" to "existentially contemplative." Between the poor people are trying to enjoy a nice soak and ending up emotionally compromised, alchemists who want to bottle the steam and trying not to inhale anything weird yourself, there goes your relaxing day at the springs…

Silent Garden

One of Bellvine Hill's fancier nobles is in a bit of a panic: their Fallow garden, normally full of cold weather blooms that chime musically during the frosty season, has gone totally silent. Thankfully, it seems like the flowers themselves are fine (even if the noble is very much not) and the flowers simply need to be stirred to life. According to the noble, the best push is a show of "strong emotion" but nobody can figure out which one. So now volunteers are stopping by to experiment: singing, storytelling, reciting poetry, bringing friends or trying to provoke the blooms into chiming with sheer stubbornness. The noble seems happy to pay anyone who gets their garden singing again, so why not bring a friend along and try? Or maybe see if you can compete to get the reward first?

Free Samples (At What Cost)

An apothecary in Bellvine Hile has decided that now is the perfect time to begin experimenting with their brand-new line of "cold-weather comfort potions." Volunteers are needed to try out these little bottled "warmers," but the side effects are proving to be… interesting. Some samplers have started radiating enough heat to fog every window in a ten-foot radius, others won't stop emitting gentle sparkles whenever they speak, some poor souls find themselves blurting out an unfiltered truth every time a cold breeze passes through… in any case, even if you're not brave enough to try one of the bottles yourself, the increasingly frazzled apothecary will need help (or at least, a stiff drink) while troubleshooting these magical mishaps. It's better than freezing your butt off, isn't it?

Meteor Mayhem

A spectacular meteor shower is passing over Primavain tonight and the central square is overflowing with bundled-up locals who've gathered to watch it streak across the sky. Every stoop and balcony is crowded, half with spectators and half with vendors who are happily plying everyone with spiced cocoa, roasted nuts, honey pastries and the like. According to the locals, if you and a friend work together to hold a jar or a cup or something similar at just the right angle as the meteors pass overhead, you can "catch" a falling star fragment before it fades - a tiny fragment of magic said to bring good luck. Whether or not that's remotely true… well, you're absolutely going to try anyway, right?

Make & Mend Festival

In honor of Fallow's turning season, Marigold Hall is hosting its annual Make & Mend Festival, where citizens bring in their worn out belongings for a little TLC. Local craftspeople are set up at long tables offering guidance, tools, and expertise - but don't expect to just drop your item off and wander away! Tradition says you've got to help repair it yourself, since the act of mending something dear is supposed to bring good fortune into the coming season. There's a spot for everyone, even if you're not the crafty type - someone's got to keep the cider warm and the pastry trays full!

Sprite Scramble

The frost sprites are out and about and the groundskeepers are not thrilled about it. A sudden cold snap seems to have lured the tiny troublemakers out of the nooks and crannies of the courtyards and now they're flitting around and playing harmless (but annoying) pranks on anyone passing through the castle gardens. Fortunately, the sprites are harmless and actually pretty easy to coax around. They like singing and pastry crumbs.. Volunteers are needed to help wrangle them back toward the Everbloom's Greenhouse where they actually belong. Just watch your step - startled sprites tend to leave surprise ice patches wherever they go and you do not want to discover one of those the hard way.

Crownkeeper Trot-Along

The Crownkeepers' horses have gotten a little too energetic for their own good. Something about the shifting weather has left the steeds restless and bored and the stablehands are doing everything they can to keep them from inventing their own problems. To help burn off some of that energy, the stablehands are organizing a short afternoon trot through the castle gardens and they're inviting anyone willing to lend a hand. You can lead a horse, ride one if you've got the skill, or just walk alongside handing out sugar cubes and gentle pats. There are scenic paths to wander and at least one mare who insists on stopping to inspect every statue along the way so really, it's a calm, cozy way to spend the afternoon… assuming none of the steeds get any bright ideas.

(CODE)

Comments

Nathaniel Berger | Pokemon OC

[stormkingofshepherds]

Frost Crab Caper

Belle? [The young man is dressed in several layers, apparently trying to cover up as much of his skin as possible. There's a giant fly trap floating behind him as he makes his way across the dock, his walking stick occasionally catching, the floating plant moving to support him whenever he stumbles.] Where are you-oh no.

[There's a much larger crablike creature with a round, stony shell, who has somehow managed to gather a squad of frost crabs around her. It seems she's trying to organize them somehow, and has traced out what looks like a rough diagram of paths.]

Belle? Belle, what are you planning? [At least the crabs seem mostly focused on her, so there's a lot of shiny objects just lying abandoned by the side?]

Make and Mend

[Nathaniel's brought a jacket that has a tear in it, that looks fairly well-kept, although it also has signs of being mended several times previously. He picks up some threads and cloth, looking through them as Macy, his flytrap companion, continues to hover over his shoulder.]

What do you think? Just sew it up, or do a patch? [He seems to be talking to her, but anyone else can feel free to chime in.]

Crownkeeper Trot-Along

[Nathaniel might not have experience with horses, or even horse-like Pokemon, but he hasn't lost his shepherd's instincts. So he's managing to lead a horse, talking to it soothingly while occasionally reaching up to scratch it between the ears or under the chin, quietly noting which spots seem best. His other hand has his walking stick, while for once Macy seems to be hovering more of a distance away, not wanting to spook the horse. Unfortunately, that means when Nathaniel's walking stick gets caught on a hole in the dirt and he stumbles, she's not able to catch him fast enough, sending him tumbling to the ground, while also dropping the horse's lead.]

Fuck!

Trot-Along

[gal_paladin]

I’ve got it.

[The woman in the blue and gold tabard and the white and gold battledress - perhaps a phrase the local tailors took too literally, not that Alesha’s complaining - gallantly rides to the rescue. She trots up with her own horse, takes the reins with one hand and offers a strong arm up with the other. How is she steering her horse? Well, she doesn’t ride sidesaddle, and let’s just say her hips don’t lie.]

Are you alright, milord?

[stormkingofshepherds]

[Nathaniel grasps his walking stick first, using both it and Alesha's hand to lever himself to his feet. He winces a little, letting go of her hand and rubbing both his legs.]

Nothing too bad, I guess. [He pauses, looking uncertain.] ...still getting used to that whole "milord" thing, though. [Sure, he's kind of a big deal back home as Zapdos' "Chosen," but that's more of a formality and requires far less memorizing etiquette.]

[gal_paladin]

Oh, I hear you. I’m a modern urban gal, originally. If I seem composed and poised about all this it’s because I have practice with the protocol from since before I took up the banner of House D’Amore.

[stormkingofshepherds]

[He pauses for a moment, looking a bit contemplative.] Hm. I'd say I'm a modern urban guy too, I suppose. Lived in the city more than half my life by now... [He sounds a bit wistful about it.] So, how did you end up practicing this sort of thing?

[By now, he's mostly recovered enough to take back his horse's reins, although he spends some time soothing it first, also making sure his fall didn't tug too harshly on the bit in its mouth.]

[gal_paladin]

Let us say that when it comes to other worlds than these that Rosavelle isn’t my first rodeo.

Alesha. Herezhade, according to my Free Company license card.

[stormkingofshepherds]

Really? How did you end up in that other world? By force, or by invitation like here?

[He nods in acknowledgement when she gives her name.] Nathaniel. Berger, if a last name's needed.

[gal_paladin]

As far as we can tell, as a last-ditch rescue attempt from getting flatlined when we got dirty disconnected from a full sensory immersion VR game.

If you’re not familiar with the tech, try “to save us from getting our brains fried by a VR helmet” on for size.

We - my Free Company, and also everyone else on the server - woke up in a tutorial area nerfed to hell as our avatars.

[stormkingofshepherds]

[Nathaniel's not that much of a gamer, but he can kind of guess at what she means. And it gets him to wince again.] Arceus' cross, that sounds like it was close. How does it feel, being...inside the game? I've heard of some scientists developing virtual reality, but it's apparently still pretty rough and their development's been put to the side for the last decade.

Frost Crab Caper

[monsterdaddy]

[Yoojin isn't on active crab duty; his skills are less suited for catching than for training, to put it in perhaps more familiar terms. What he is, however, is hair-trigger sensitive to anything even 2% resembling a monster from the corner of his eye. His head snaps around when he glimpses Macy, and his eyebrows rise higher as he notices Belle before her frost crab array. He hasn't seen anything like those two here in Rosavelle.

...And they're clearly not hostile. They seem as accustomed to humans bustling to and fro as--well, as humans are. They're... do they belong to that guy? With the stick?

With not even an ounce of shame, Yoojin scans all three of them. "Carnivine" and "Crustle," monsters he's never heard of, and--

Nathaniel Berger. Unlocked optimized skill: Thundertamer.

He's probably staring a little too long, but he's never seen something like this. Not from the outside.]

[stormkingofshepherds]

[Nathaniel has made it closer to Belle's side now, with her being still a bit too excited to try and command her new crab army. He's in the middle of trying to get them to disperse while Macy quietly collects some of the dropped shinies, when Macy suddenly nudges him, getting Nathaniel to look over in Yoojin's direction.

...why is that guy staring at him? Is he also from the same world, does he recognize him as Nathaniel of Quan's Hope? There's an awkward moment, as he tries to decide whether to say something or just go back to the crab wrangling. After another awkward pause, he finally speaks up.]

Do I know you? [...okay, that came out a bit more annoyed than he intended.]

[monsterdaddy]

Oh! Um. No, I don't think so. Sorry, that was rude of me. I'm Yoojin Han.

[He offers a quick, apologetic bow, then rubs the back of his skull like an embarrassed cartoon.]

I've just never seen monsters and humans work as comfortably together as you and your... friends? Even the kids I'm raising would be antsy around this many strangers. Are you a tamer?

[stormkingofshepherds]

Nathaniel Berger. [He should probably introduce himself, then, if this guy didn't recognize him. Not to mention the way he talks about "monsters"...]

Yeah, I'm a Pokemon trainer. Belle was mostly captive-raised, and Macy's been with me since before the start of my journey. [He makes a gesture with his head to indicate which of them is which.] But the way you put it...I'm pretty sure these "monsters" you're talking about are different from Pokemon. [Sure, the wild Pokemon have only recently started to settle down, and it's still dangerous to venture too far into the wilds alone even now. But the idea of Pokemon and humans working together is well-ingrained into the main culture still.]

1/2

[monsterdaddy]

...

[POKÉMON ARE REEEEEAAAAAL]

2/2

[monsterdaddy]

[Okay, no. Be cool, Yoojin. This isn't the weirdest encounter he's ever had, and he's bound to have weirder still.]

Yyyeah, probably, now that you mention it. Or at least, my world's relationship with 'em isn't nearly where yours is. We're still pretty new to the whole "aaahh, they exist!" thing, let alone trying to get along. That's what surprised me. Where I'm from, someone would've been skewered or chopped in two by now.

[Though, notably, he wasn't scared to see them. Just fascinated. He smiles at all three of them.]

It's really nice to meet you all, Nathaniel, Belle, and Macy! ...Belle, what're you doing with these crabs?

[stormkingofshepherds]

Well, I guess that's not a surprise. From the stories I heard, it took a while for Pokemon and people to learn how to get along as well. [He does appreciate Yoojin not acting scared, though.]

It's good to meet you too. [Belle seems to be trying to figure out how to get the crabs to divide into groups and travel along preset paths. If he knows anything about programming, it might loosely resemble a logic gate of some kind.]

I think it's got something to do with computers. She got a lot of experience with them from the adoption center she was raised in, so she's kind of our team's tech expert now. [Nathaniel looks very proud of her, patting her shell.]

[monsterdaddy]

Whoa. And I was impressed when Peace learned to use a cell phone...

[This crab thing is smarter than he is!]

[stormkingofshepherds]

Peace? What kind of Poke-I mean monster-are they?

[Somehow, Belle seems to actually be managing to direct the crabs in the way she wants. She looks very excited about it. Macy has also managed to collect all the rest of the items into a bag and is now just hanging back and watching the conversation.]

Make and Mend | Ryu 1/8192 | Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter

[soldragon]

[Ryu... Has brought several broken cage traps, but also a similarly ruined jacket, one with two extremely significant cuts in the back. There's definitely some scorching damage, too.]

[He looks over at Nathaniel's project.]

... Looks like you're starting to run out of edging in some places, but you might be able to save it still with the damage being where it is.

[stormkingofshepherds]

[Nathaniel starts at hearing someone else answer his question, looking over to see who spoke.]

I could probably just redo the edging if I have to... [He muses a bit as he looks over Ryu's jacket, wincing at the sight of the damage.] What happened there?

[soldragon]

[Shit, how much to tell him? Tell him about PowerOne.]

Well, there's a few places back home where we use lightning to transfer power. While my equipment is pretty good, you need special arc jackets for that kind of environment.

[Neither of them know this is a mistake, given Nathaniel's specialty, but...]

Regardless, I've had this jacket a long time. I think I've dealt with every inclement weather it's possible to in this old thing, so... I want to try and save it.

[stormkingofshepherds]

[He winces, looking sympathetic.] Yeah, I've had a few shocks myself when dealing with Electric-types. [And he also nods in agreement at the second comment.] I've also had this jacket for some time, so I get it. It's comfortable, and I've adjusted it over time to fit myself better, and if I got a new one I'd have to break it in all over again.

[soldragon]

Oh? When you mean 'deal with', do you mean you hunt them, or...?

["Deal with", he has learned, can mean anything from "tame and help out" to "get rid of it."]

[stormkingofshepherds]

Huh? Oh, definitely not! [He looks a bit shocked at the implication.] My family raised Mareep for their wool, but sometimes they get a bit too excited, especially the rams around breeding season. I've fought wild Electric-types sometimes, but only in cases where they were already getting aggressive and needed to be captured or relocated.

[soldragon]

Oh, you care for them? Interesting!

[Ryu's needle-work is serviceable, but a bit overdone if you're just walking around.]

I knew an auntie in the same line, but she told me it wasn't for me.

[Because of his D-Ratio, but this kid doesn't need to know that.]