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royalooc2025-12-04 06:29 pm
royaldecreemods) wrote in royalooc2025-12-04 06:29 pm
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme #2: Fallow
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!
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!
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!
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.
no subject
Is that so...? I'd be surprised if something like that was entirely safe, though—
[ ...hm.
She's just going to file that away for later. In case she needs to give someone a talking-to. ]
—but I suppose there's no harm in asking. I suppose such things could be possible in a place like this.
...how idyllic, really.
no subject
[ well. except for the gun pointed at her. that one was more threat assessment. ]
Even if they, uh. Really sucked at it?
no subject
Well, you seem very much a nice young devil. People here do seem quite kind and helpful, unsurprisingly given the occasion, even if—
[ Fuck. She thought about the sad thing again. ]
...even if sometimes they have no clue what to do about it.
no subject
[ ah. maybe they both have a few things to get over, ]
The devil is the adversary, and I am the devil. [ said in the simplest of voices, like a tautology being pointed out. ] Things like kindness and justice don't really matter next to that. For someone good, the only option is to exterminate what opposes god.
[ for a moment, a hundred eyes watch grace in silence. then, gently- ]
I mean. You're a vampire, right? Isn't it the same for you?
no subject
...well, some people—and some vampires—certainly think that one should exterminate what opposes God, true enough.
[ She's one of them, technically. ]
I suppose the problem is that there's quite a lot of disagreement on what opposes God and who really counts as "good." Part of the reason I don't get along much with my fellows.
no subject
[ said with an awful degree of confidence given the nature of their topic. though perhaps that's less surprising than the next thing she says- ]
Okay, but you can literally just. Ask Him? I mean, he's always on the same station, so. It's not like he won't tell you why you're garbage any time you ask.
1/?
Well that's—
2/?
3/?
4/5
done
I'm sorry, what?
no subject
The radio. The radio you can pray to god with. You know. Tune it around until you find 109.8 FM?
[ why are people so weird about this!! ]
no subject
...fascinating.
[ She like 100% believes that from the way she says it and that wants some unpacking. ]
We don't have anything like that, where I come from. I think that was a university's broadcast club station, last I checked. Shuffles around a bit. I think if God was on the radio, well—
—well, I'd be very interested to hear about it.
no subject
[ silence. and then, just- a quiet sigh. ]
I mean. I could just show you? But you'd have to follow me to the barracks. And I don't really want to seem like I'm trying to. I don't know. Kidnap you?
no subject
Well, I must say that I'm not terribly worried about kidnapping. What are you going to do, get me double-damned?
[ She shrugs, shifting a little from foot to foot—a markedly human motion that would seem odd if Venus had met any similar vampires. ]
People just play music and talk on the radio, as far as I'm aware. So, as a scientist I'm intrigued.
no subject
[ double jeopardy. you're thinking double jeopardy, venus. ]
Well. I mean... if you're sure, I can just. Show you my room. [ she starts to float in the general direction of the hydrangea barracks - drifts to a stop, turns back. ] Should I, uh. Should I just carry you?
no subject
[ Too quickly— ]
—no.
[ ...and then recovering, clearly realizing that came out weird: ]
Ah, that is to say—I think I'll be fine walking. I don't tire easily, even at my age, ha ha.
no subject
[ and she resumes at her previous speed. hope you don't mind going as the crow flies, grace; someone's gotten a little used to her new body. still, she at least makes some effort to drift back to paths whenever she gets too far off track. ]
...you don't look that old. I mean, I know for vampires, it gets. Complicated? But you don't have to make jokes about it if you don't want to.
no subject
[ She is, as it turns out, surprisingly game for clambering over hedges and fences and retaining walls, but the thought is appreciated. ]
I do like to think I'm at least a little funny.
I'm, oh... what, a hundred and sixty-seven? It doesn't really bother me, but I do try to keep a good sense of humor. That, and I've been told I have an old woman's personality, so I might as well lean into it.
no subject
[ venus clearly sees absolutely nothing wrong with saying this. looks like the steam's effect hasn't faded away quite yet on her. ]
no subject
[ She
...almost trips over a fence. Almost. Sputtering— ]
I—
—don't think I've ever been called "hot" in my entire life or death?
no subject
[ she's not even trying to flirt. she's just. talking?? and she just keeps going??? ]
I mean, you're definitely pretty. You're a vampire. I'm pretty sure that would be enough for most people? But also, like. You have a nice voice? And it's been easy to talk to you. I feel like if I've been called hot, you've definitely earned it.
[ there is. a lot to unpack here. ]
no subject
[ THERE'S A LOT TO UNPACK THERE AND SHE'S NOT GOING TO DO IT RIGHT NOW. HJELP ]
Well, um—
—thank you? I guess?
[ It's the most uncertain she has sounded about anything by far. ]
—but anyway, that's. Besides the point.
[ What was the point anyway. We are changing the subject we are not getting into this she will die. ]
So you just—listen to God on the radio? All the time?
no subject
Oh, ew. [ well, that answers that. ] No??? God, no. I used to do it whenever I prayed, but now it's like. I don't really bother with that anymore? You know. On account of being the devil and all.
no subject
[ Recovering now that Venus has been sufficiently distracted and is off on her own topic, please do not pay attention to any undignified expressions that may have occurred— ]
Well, obviously. More like a... general "you," meaning people broadly. God's just... there? All the time?
...telling you that you're awful?
To be quite honest that sounds like, well—
...I can't say I like it.
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