vivalamods: Art: Merlin Ambrosuis (ArtStation) (Default)
Viva La Mods ([personal profile] vivalamods) wrote in [community profile] vivalaooc2024-07-31 09:00 pm
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TDM #2


TEST DRIVE #2

The day begins as any other, you’re going about your day, living your life, when, without warning, you feel the world around you shift on its axis. You feel a great tear, welling from the depths of your soul as you are ripped from all you have known. If you’re lucky, you arrive in the wilderness of an unfamiliar world, where the language is foreign and the people are hostile. To make your escape, you must learn some language, flee, and occasionally fight, all to find your way off the floating isles you find yourself on and to the great ocean below, where rebel forces will welcome you.

If you’re unlucky, you materialize within a room full of armed guards and are quickly subdued with charged nets, stripped of your belongings, fitted with strange devices that suppress your powers and pressed into servitude. Your days are unimaginable pain and toil.

Fortunately, even in this world, there is still hope. For the denizens of this world have not given up. And it is for that dream of salvation that the Crimson Corsairs raise their flags and sail - for liberation. Perhaps you are one who has lived their entire life under the oppressive yoke of the Empire. Perhaps you have seen first hand your family and friends cut down by nobles hunting men for sport, or perhaps you have run afoul with the church and barely escaped with your life. No matter your origin, the Corsairs sail for you, for your freedom, for your life. And today, a taste of freedom will be won for all.


ARRIVAL/LIBERATION
The Corsairs are flush with victory over the Hesaeth labor camp. A mining operation formerly under control of the Empire, this strategic victory will give the Corsairs access to desperately needed materials to build weapons and war machines. The former members of the labor camp are being quickly evacuated - packed onto ships and taken to the floating city of Flotsam for a hot meal and integration into the broader organization.

Many of the prisoners were armed ahead of the fight and took part in the rebellion themselves, while many others were whisked away by rescuers so their injuries could be treated. The mines were a harsh life, but for now, at least, the former workers are free. The mess hall of Flotsam rings out in merriment as the new arrivals are fed and clothed, but for those who took part in the fighting, they may do well to seek out their assigned berths… assuming they can find much of anything. Flotsam is many things, but organized and constant it is not.


THE TRIALS AHEAD

With the Hesaeth mining camp now under Corsair control, the arduous task of staffing and defending it now falls to them. Engineers and tacticians are convening in the Vault to discuss matters and make plans. Staff assignments, escape routes, potentially rigging the entire site with explosives, nothing is off the table. The Corsairs know that their victory will be short-lived, the Empire can crush a static operation with the full might of their army should they so choose. But so long as they hold it, the Corsairs must plan to use it. And when the time comes that the Empire attacks, they must do everything in their power to get as many people as they can out alive.

Scholars are going to be especially busy as schematics are being passed through the building. Every ounce of knowledge stored in the Vault’s considerable archive is being turned to this project, so meetings are frequent between committees and subcommittees as the Corsairs quickly and (mostly) efficiently prepare and execute a plan to secure the site and get it operational in short order.


AIRBORNE ASSAULT

The next mission is already being planned, and what scholars and tacticians can be spared from the massive effort of turning the Hesaeth mining camp into a viable operation have been tapped to plan the next mission - a daring attack on a VIP’s airship escort. The Corsairs are still determining how they want to approach the attack, but one thing is certain - they will need means to attack the airborne fleet before it arrives on Elysium’s soil.

With the miniscule amount of airships in the Corsair fleet, the Corsairs must carefully plan their troop placement and plan of attack. Gliders are already being churned out of the Vault’s lower workshops to support the boarding crew. Whether they sink or capture the airships, the attack crew will need everything it can get.

Beyond that, those who are preparing to take part in the operation are getting a crash course in ship combat. Glider usage will be critical, so glider lessons are taking place in Flotsam, and those who don’t have experience on airships will get to be taken up - best they get their air legs now and upend the contents of their stomach BEFORE the operation. Those hoping to fight will be spending their time flying up in the airship and using their gliders to return to Flotsam below.


FESTIVAL OF GAMES

In the waning days of summer, the world used to celebrate the changing of seasons and the start of the harvest with games, feats of skill, and banquets. While the Empire has mercilessly crushed all these old festivals, the Corsairs have managed to preserve the traditions and carry them forward.

Across the three cities, competitions are happening. In Vault, indoor competitions are held in large underground arenas set up specifically for these festivals. In Flotsam, there are chaotic boat races, swimming contests, spearfishing competitions and other such aquatic endeavors. Even Elysium is observing a hunt festival where people cull monsters and try to bring home the most game, although much of it will be siphoned off by the Empire. Spirits are high, good cheer is had by all, and the grog is flowing freely for any Corsairs who might want to participate or spectate.


WILDCARD

Have an idea for your own prompt? Feel free to make any prompt that you think would fit!

OOC
Welcome to the Second Test-Drive Meme for Viva La! All threads here may be considered canon once characters have entered the game. Threads here are eligible for use as a roleplay sample for applications, which will open on the 5th of August at midnight.

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ordainedbarkeep: (It's a secret)

[personal profile] ordainedbarkeep 2024-08-06 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
“Ma’am is fine. Or Ms. Suto.”

She gestured to the shrine. “Morrah is a god of travelers and hospitality. He’s exactly the sort of thing the Empire wants stamped out but, as I mentioned, you can’t find anything here that I don’t want found.”
spacetogrow: (Default)

[personal profile] spacetogrow 2024-08-07 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
Ilphyl nodded, understanding. Since they weren't fighting, they weren't going to be the largest spider they could be, but Ilphyl's sense of appropriate sizes for spiders is very skewed thanks to their upbringing. A spider the size of a hand is still usually considered 'very large' by most people.

This time,t hey forgot to check with the crowd, so hopefully that wouldn't be a problem.

Ilphyl-as-a-spider waved their front legs in acknowledgement, then ran to the lift, and jumped to the wall. They climbed like the proverbial spider, both looking and listening/feeling their surroundings.
spacetogrow: (Default)

[personal profile] spacetogrow 2024-08-07 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
"All right."

Ilphyl was going to try something different as a bird. They normally liked magpies which had a limited ability to mimic speech, or vultures for being Big. But neither were ocean birds, and blending in was nice.

So they were trying out a black and white pelican shape. After the (short) bit of magic, they-the-pelican nods at Link.
singlemilletgrain: (Offense)

[personal profile] singlemilletgrain 2024-08-07 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
Fortunately, the dank and creepy mines, alongside the fatigue of the enforced slave labor and the general chaos of the situation means that only a small percentage of people notice the tarantula-sized spider. This still results in a few vigorous shrieks of surprise, which does not positively contribute to the general attitude of fear and unease.

"Be calm, everyone. Once the lift is secured, we will all be free."

Keeping to her promise, Shu eases off into a corner of the tunnels and kneels on the ground, futzing with something in the rocky dirt.

She awaits Ilphyl's return.
invinciblespear: Fiore with a sheepish look (sheepish)

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-07 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Aheh, sometimes you just want to charge in, you know how it is," Fiore admits, pushing her wet hair back. It's not suave.

"You're not a Flotsam local, are you?" she asks. Everyone around here is about as sun-baked as your average serf, Fiore included, so seeing someone who looked like she actually had a roof over her most of the day was interesting.
invinciblespear: Fiore with a confident look (Default)

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-07 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
Probably not a high noble, then. A Gallant or someone who works for a living.

...Fiore shouldn't be running a mental assessment of Imperial social classes on Flotsam, but at the same time, it's a habit she developed in place of trust a while ago now.

"Hey, I won't object to help. Lead the way. If you need help carrying anything I'm pretty good for muscle-work, even after that damn labor camp."
invinciblespear: Fiore with a smug look (smug)

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-07 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh? What'd you have in mind?" she asks.

There's a lot of ways this conversation could go but given that the topic is hurling oneself through the air, the ideas could only be interesting.
invinciblespear: Fiore with a sheepish look (sheepish)

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-07 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Uhhhh that's a good question. How public is this scoreboard?" Fiore asks. Iren's sure to take her meaning, it's not like plenty of other people here aren't even more wanted by the Empire.
invinciblespear: Fiore with a stoic look (stoic)

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-07 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
I can imagine a lot of good coming from not resembling this world.

[Fiore grumbles this, almost, but there's enough edge to the statement to show it's completely earnest, and not just complaining.]

I guess you and us at least have farming in common though, if you've got proverbs about fields and weeds.
singlemilletgrain: (Pray)

[personal profile] singlemilletgrain 2024-08-07 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Shu smiles faintly, but she does not feel the need to enlighten the young woman. There is no need to discuss Oripathy, demons, and the general constant collapse of society in the dystopia that is Terra.]

Yes. You read my murmurings accurately.

I am an agricultural specialist, a Tianshi of the city of Dahuang. I have overseen the harvests for many years.

[A pause.]

I volunteered this information when labor was first demanded of me. I assume that is why they placed me in the mines.

[This is sarcasm, though spoken so straightforwardly that it is difficult to tell.]
ordainedbarkeep: (Uncertain)

[personal profile] ordainedbarkeep 2024-08-07 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
“It’s just in here. I’m not coordinating with anyone.”

Imperials tended to skip the Laughing Toadstool. The vibes felt off to them, for some reason. But even so…”you’re not under any obligation to use your real name. I just need to be able to find the winner at the end of the festival.”
invinciblespear: Fiore looking angry (angry)

1/2

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-07 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
Tch. Worst thing about the Empire isn't even all the evil, it's that they're so stupid about their evil. Whole world would be better off if they did anything but pointless cruelty for its own sake. Sticking someone who could actually do useful work growing food in a mining camp is just one of a billion dumbass things...
invinciblespear: Fiore with a sad look (sad)

2/2

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-07 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
[She pauses and shakes her head.]

I'll get angry about it later. This is for celebrating sticking it to 'em, right? Or at least getting to know each other now that we're not in a damn cell.

So...agricultural specialist, huh? That like being in charge of the farmers?
invinciblespear: Fiore with a confident look (confident)

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-07 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, let's see. If the point is that you can find me, but they can't, I should probably use an alias, but what's a good one?" she asks, mostly herself. "Maybe I should have thought about this when I was a bandit instead of using my real name..."

Ideas flit through Fiore's head as she considers. Eagle-1? Too generic. The Crimson Lotus? Color theme is good but it's kinda pretentious. Penguin-slayer...no, she'd never live that one down.

She's considering long enough that Iren could probably chime in with an idea if she cared.
newmemorywhodis: (Concerned 03)

[personal profile] newmemorywhodis 2024-08-07 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Link immediately crouches down, getting in nice and close - because this is something Link needs to stare at, eyes wide with wonder.

"You're a bird!" he says. Which is, of course, exactly what Ilphyl said would happen. But it's still amazing to see.
singlemilletgrain: (Neutral)

[personal profile] singlemilletgrain 2024-08-07 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[She nods in affirmation.]

I work the fields alongside them. Due to my experience, I am qualified to advise on all matters relating to a successful harvest: weather patterns, crop rotations, Originium pollution, and seasonal trends.

And yourself?

[The girl is a little fiery for a farmer. From long experience, she suspects that the redhead is a youth raised in a farming environment who moved on to bigger and better things, as many youths do.]
ordainedbarkeep: (Judging you)

[personal profile] ordainedbarkeep 2024-08-07 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"That right."

Unsure what else to do against Shu's extremely polite unstoppability, Iren leaned on the counter next to her with her arms folded casually, far enough away that she wouldn't get any fish on her. "It's as much a part of me as any building can be."

And here she is, invading the kitchen.
singlemilletgrain: (Gentle)

[personal profile] singlemilletgrain 2024-08-07 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Despite the intrusion, Shu is just about as good as her word. Each fish is scaled expertly in exactly 30 seconds, 15 on each side, her hands a blur of motion.

"That is an unusual way of putting it." Her expression is unaltered as she glances up briefly. "It is an -- attractive establishment."

There is something about the way she says the word 'attractive' that suggests she is choosing it just as deliberately as Iren chose her previous statement.

"I feel much at ease."
fish4science: (Call Me Polyana)

[personal profile] fish4science 2024-08-08 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, I don't, but I can understand your urge when the fishing bug bites! Sometimes I do crazy things for books." Thankfully straight girls don't notice the lack of suave.

"Oh, no, I'm an...apprentice librarian and healer from the Vaults? I guess I try on a lot of hats." As for her lack of a tan, living underground and being an artificial homonculus will do that for you.

spacetogrow: (Default)

[personal profile] spacetogrow 2024-08-09 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
It takes a bit -- spiders are fast, but a smaller size slows them down -- but Ilphyl-as-the-spider manages to climb back down, then change back to report. "All clear. I saw a few people, but they weren't in uniforms or anything."

The downside was that they couldn't talk in their animal forms, so couldn't ask and then get back down.
spacetogrow: (Default)

[personal profile] spacetogrow 2024-08-09 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
The pelican opened their beak and spread their wings, as if to say 'I sure am!'. The downside is that the only thing Ilphyl keeps in this form is their mind, and any ongoing magic. So they no longer have a voice box or hands. Body language is still pretty effective.
invinciblespear: Fiore with a confident look (confident)

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-09 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
"You must be a pretty good librarian, if you'd jump in the ocean after books," Fiore says, nodding sagely. Passion is important in any job.

"Haven't been to the Vaults yet, I'm new enough, but I hear that's where all the crazy weapons and gadgets get developed."
invinciblespear: Fiore with a stoic look (stoic)

[personal profile] invinciblespear 2024-08-09 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, hardly an expert like you, but I worked in the fields from when I had the strength to dig up until...well, I'm sure someone's told you what the Empire does to peasants they don't like.

[It's not that she wanted to leave the farm, or could have even if the thought had occurred to her. But many people don't get to have a peaceful life, and some get mad about it.]

After that it was good ol' banditry, sorry to say.
fish4science: (I can read anywhere)

[personal profile] fish4science 2024-08-09 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, if they are in the ocean, they would need to be rescued right away. That's just common sense."

"Oh, it's pretty interesting. Even if you're not interested in magic and gadgets, we offer to teach people new skills and grow our body of knowledge by gathering books the empire forbids. Though, most of those are banned for cultural reasons, not because you can use them to summon forbidden gods." A beat before-"Not that I've ever seen a book like that."
esperbuthuman: (004)

Terra Branford | Final Fantasy VI | AU

[personal profile] esperbuthuman 2024-08-09 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
Liberation

[A young green-haired woman walks timidly through Flotsam, seeming unable to comprehend the bustle of people. Her steps are hesitant, and if observed one will see she keeps trying to square herself up to say something, almost get there, and then lose heart and slink back into the shadows. Finally, however, she manages to screw up the courage to speak]

U-um. Excuse me!

Trials Ahead

[The atmosphere of the Vault seems to suit Terra far better, far less people who she isn't necessarily equipped to deal with. She understands well the gravity of the situation, and so she can be found pouring over books in the library trying to get herself up to speed. In a more constrained setting, she's a fair bit more talkative, and is thus more willing to call out to passers-by]

Hello, I was wondering if you might have time to answer some questions.

Airborne Assault

[For some reason, Terra seems to be doing quite well in the air. During the initial take off, she can be found near the prow, her long hair billowing in the wind as she looks down at the world. If she catches you watching, she'll grace you with a bright smile before approaching. She's clearly enjoying herself.]

Have you done this before? Is there anything I should know?
Edited 2024-08-09 02:44 (UTC)

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