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Viva La Mods ([personal profile] vivalamods) wrote in [community profile] vivalaooc2024-05-31 08:15 pm
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Test Drive Meme #1


TEST DRIVE #1

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
This month, the Crimson Corsairs raided a Larendt labor camp in order to obtain much-needed parts and textiles as well as liberate another batch of servants for the cause. The raid was executed under the cover of night, with one team sweeping the dormitories and gathering as many servants as they could while the other team hit factories as they could, focusing on taking important items like ship parts and clothing, loading them into prepared trams and fleeing before the guard could mobilize. The operation, thankfully, went off without a hitch, and the Corsairs were able to usher a number of servants into their waiting ships.

As dawn breaks, the raiding fleet docks at Flotsam as the city-fleet begins the long journey away from the continent before a retaliation fleet can be mobilized. The former servants are finally let above deck. The sun is beating down hard on them, its brilliance marking their first step into freedom.

Corsairs on the fleet will have a lot to do - the new arrivals will need to be sorted, clothed, and fed. Many are emaciated from the conditions in the labor camp, and the former servants will be immediately ushered to a mess hall for their first meal as free folk. Corsairs will be needed to organize the movement, prepare and serve the food, and also just sit with them and talk to them, helping them adjust and filling them in on the situation.

Former servants will have found the entire process exhausting to say the least. They were awoken in the dead of night by heavily armed people quickly moving through, shattering their chains and ushering them into ships. The entire night was spent sailing, and while the hull is dark it is crowded and difficult to sleep in. Finally, upon arrival they are ushered into a meal hall and served a humble meal - but a meal that far exceeds anything that was ever served at the servant’s table. What is known is that they are now free.


MEANWHILE IN THE WATERLOGGED ROW…

With another successful mission under their belt and their duties more or less complete, the triumphant Corsairs observe a time-honored tradition: heading to the Waterlogged Row and getting absolutely shitfaced on awful grog.

The mood is jubilant and self-congratulatory, with drinking songs ringing out across Flotsam. In consideration to other residents, the Row is currently moored a good distance from the residential areas to keep the celebrations from disturbing what little peace there is in the chaotic town that is Flotsam. But for those who participated in the mission, tonight is about celebration. Singing, storytelling, socializing, this is the glue that holds the operations team together. And as the Crimson Corsairs do not officially recognize a drinking age, everyone is welcome! Even if they probably shouldn’t be!

New arrivals are, of course, not at all restricted so those who finish their meal and go exploring will quickly find the Row, as well as many Corsairs eager to buy them a pint to toast their newfound freedom.


MAKING THE GOOD STUFF

Elysium often serves as the crux of Corsair operations, and the next operation is no different. While the operations team is carousing and toasting their success, the planning team is hard at work preparing for the next mission.

The order of the day is gathering, which has brought the team to the forests outside of Elysium. In the coming month, Elysium will host a lavish party for the guards of a certain continent, and it is the duty of the gatherers to ensure that any drink served is “enhanced”, with such potency that they won’t be in any position to do their duty when the raiders strike.

Any herbology specialists will be absolutely vital for this operation. While the Corsairs have some documents and know, generally, what they’re looking for, there are a wide variety of things that grow within the forest, many of which can be quite dangerous.

Those new to gathering will really need to watch their step. Elysium is rich in hallucinogens, and a whiff of the wrong flower or mushroom could leave them contemplating their navel for the next hour. Tasting is out of the question, but what they don’t know can’t hurt them right? After all, the Elysium workers spend a lot of time eradicating poisoned growths to keep wandering nobles safe so anything they find can’t be THAT bad. Right?

And of course, for experienced foragers, they will find an entirely new duty thrust upon them - keeping the newbies in line. Really, how can they expect anything productive to be done when they send a bunch of green recruits into a forest full of hallucinogens?


EDUCATION AS THE BOMBS FALL

New Corsairs almost always find themselves in the Vault. Nestled in the earth and subject to the constant pounding of munitions overhead, the Vault is the repository of knowledge for the Crimson Corsairs and the place where new inductees are educated. Language instruction, education on the world and its people, writing, reading, arithmetic, just about any kind of learning can be done in the Vault’s halls.

Notable about the Vault’s education is how deeply tied it is to the Crimson Corsair’s broader philosophy - everyone’s unique talents and insight have value. As such, Corsairs are often called to the Vault to share their specialized expertise. While many Corsairs do choose to become full-time teachers, any Corsair can come and teach a class.

For the new Corsairs, now is a time to learn and train, acclimate themselves to their situation and figure out where they want to go from here. For established Corsairs, this is an opportunity to meet the new recruits and help train them so they can help with the cause. Those who might be students today will be comrades standing at your side tomorrow, so teach them well.


DANGER AT SEA

As the most mobile of the Corsair’s settlements and the only obvious Imperial target, Flotsam is well equipped to deal with any number of dangers. One such danger is the enormous sea monsters who dwell within the Eternal Ocean. While many are not too keen to tangle with such a large fleet, occasionally a monster will become angry or territorial enough to try to attack the fleet.

And it is for that reason that the Corsairs now find themselves battling a massive sea serpent that has stretched itself across the western edge of the fleet. New Corsairs aren’t expected to assist in this battle, but as the sinking of Flotsam would be VERY BAD for those who are currently trying to live on it, many will jump in anyway, especially as they should have been issued weapons. As to established Corsairs, well, you know the drill by now. Monster bad, try to sink ship, let’s convince it that there are easier marks than the pride of the Corsair fleet.

Some Corsairs will need to man the cannons to blow it away, but many will get up close and personal, jumping into melee range to drive it away from the ships and mitigate as much damage as they can. Others still will provide support from the back with magic or ranged weaponry, and still others will need to weave their way in between the battle to carry out wounded Corsairs for medical attention. Whatever your specialty, your city needs you. Best get to work.


WILDCARD

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

OOC
Welcome to the first 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 15th of June at midnight.

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akizetesche: (+ questioning)

[personal profile] akizetesche 2024-06-04 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
I always enjoy hearing more about the humans. [ She bobs her head decisively, her receptors wiggling. ] They are so delightfully diverse! I am only beginning to realize how much so!

You speak with a detachment about you. You look as a human does, but perhaps...are you made in the image of one?

[ COULD THEY BE A KIND OF GOLEM? HAVE THE BRIGHT COUSINS GONE SO FAR IN THEIR ADVANCEMENTS? ]
Edited 2024-06-04 04:11 (UTC)
fray: (mull)

[personal profile] fray 2024-06-04 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
Id's eyebrows hike up as he watches the guy pick up a substantial stone to bring over. He wouldn't have expected that of someone with Link's size and relatively slim build, but it looks effortless. Maybe it shouldn't surprise him at all, considering what an accomplished knight Charlotta is, despite her diminuitive Harvin stature.

It takes him a few moments' delay to register that he's been asked a wordless question. "That'd work if you had it in your personal quarters, but it takes a couple weeks to dry out." Id glances around, then tips his head toward a palm-size, flat stone off to the side of them. "Can you get me that one? I've got an idea."
akizetesche: (+ questioning)

[personal profile] akizetesche 2024-06-04 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Is it not a satisfactory one?

There are many answers to your question. I was sent initially by my kind, to make contact with the surface cousins...but maybe that is not what you meant?

Do you mean 'who asked me to bring you aid'?
nevercravetherose: (011)

[personal profile] nevercravetherose 2024-06-04 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Might as well try."

As she speaks Shionne is already kneeling over one of the rescued workers... Though with extreme care and caution to not make any direct contact with them. Maybe it's for the best that they're so drained; that cuts down on any thrashing about and risk of touching.

For what it's worth, it seems she can at least still whatever pain they're experiencing. Though Shionne frowns over not being able to do more than that.

"Looks like the next order is getting a meal in them... Or shooting anyone trying to break up this operation." She might keep that gun close at hand, just in case. "I was wondering with that ether crystal you were carrying... But I suppose someone needs to track the supplies, and make sure no one makes off with anything."

NO, she's not including herself in that equation! She's just... Considering things.
newmemorywhodis: (Neutral 10)

[personal profile] newmemorywhodis 2024-06-04 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
Just as Snufkin finishes speaking, the tail lashes towards them. Link brings up his sword to block it, but his head is angled toward Snufkin. He might be fighting off a giant sea serpent, but he's still listening.

The tail spasms, and withdraws - leaving a long red gash from Link's sword as it does. They have a brief moment of reprieve, which is good, because it gives Link time to nod, and look towards Snufkin intently. What does he need Link to do?
newmemorywhodis: (Neutral 14)

[personal profile] newmemorywhodis 2024-06-04 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
Link blinks. Weeks?

That's...much longer than what he was thinking this would take. He looks down at the rock. Shrugs, and then tosses it carelessly to one side. Then he goes to collect the flat store Ig pointed out, and brings it back.

"Dry?" he asks, glancing at the notebook it is contained within. He should make sure to get all the details. For Zelda.
nevercravetherose: (002)

[personal profile] nevercravetherose 2024-06-04 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
"The difference between the labs and here is... Dramatic. I'll give you that. Guess it's not the worst change up, though. Long as people keep their distance and their fun to over there."

[Shionne tugs a bit at her ribbons, making sure they're properly tied and presented. She seems just a bit determined to keep her appearance up to standard, now that she's out from under the Empire's thumb.]

"Can't have too many outfits, especially after having to wear one thing all the time.

...Wait? You know about Elysium? I've only ever heard about it."

[Not a lot of opportunities for science projects to go there, after all.]
fuckthatdragon: (^_^)

[personal profile] fuckthatdragon 2024-06-04 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
[A minute later, Marcille reappeared, this time carrying a vegetable barley soup, and a small loaf of bread.]

Is this better?

[Look at her so eager to please...]
nevercravetherose: (011)

[personal profile] nevercravetherose 2024-06-04 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
That damage is going to get all the worse when Shionne gets the bomb in her sights; a blast of fire paints the sea monster a vivid red, and pushes fire into the strained points of muscle. Burning and strain both serve to blast through the tentacle, with a suitably brutal amputation.

"...It didn't like that."

Shionne manages, over the shrieking the monster gives out. It looks like the creature is already drawing away from the amount of pain they've visited on it.
2mao: (poison poison poison)

[personal profile] 2mao 2024-06-04 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll give that... half points. You're correct, technically, but that's not usually a risk unless a poison aerosolizes. If your poisonous substance is one that does that under pressure or agitation, then you don't want them throwing up only to have it come back into the lungs. That's why it's important to know your poisons."

She pauses. "Of course, on the other hand, if you're on the poison-ing end of things, this can still be useful information. It being a harder treatment is generally good in that case."
fray: (say)

[personal profile] fray 2024-06-04 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
"That's right." Id accepts the rock, pressing it against the front cover of the notebook. He shifts a little awkwardly in place, tugging the cord loose from the front of his shirt, using it to bind the notebook to the rock and hold it tightly shut. It ought to hold, he expects.

Only belatedly does he consider elaboration, no more natural a conversationalist than he has ever felt himself to be. "The paper takes the moisture out, which keeps the flower looking about how it does now." The colors and shape, at least. Dry does mean dry, but it's the closest they get to capturing its appearance, short of a gadget or an artist.

With that, he offers the weighted little notebook to Link.
fuckthatdragon: (Bwuh?)

[personal profile] fuckthatdragon 2024-06-04 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
Use fire to make lightning...

[Nope, she can't see it. But lightning magic couldn't be too difficult if that's what she wanted to do.]

Well, I'm sure I can dig up some spell formulas for a lightning spell or two, if you want.
nevercravetherose: (010)

[personal profile] nevercravetherose 2024-06-04 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
It would have been nice, for Shionne to say that she wasn't trying to strike a pose... But she'd be lying. Because she did her best to appear a little more composed, and showing off the lace decorating her arms.

"Nice thing about being a sharp shooter, you don't have to sacrifice style for performance, or the other way around.

And... I suppose I hope this shows off good fabric, and metal. Maybe gives me a little more space with the designs and the quality."
sapphirecontess: (025)

[personal profile] sapphirecontess 2024-06-04 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
"That definitely makes sense! I'm a sharpshooter myself, I should explore more adventurous fashions myself."

Musse met the idea with much enthusiasm as she continued to admire the outfit. "I could definitely go for a more daring bustline," she said with a sly smirk and a bit of a giggle.
2mao: (bored as usual)

[personal profile] 2mao 2024-06-04 05:58 am (UTC)(link)
Maomao's usually fairly organized, but to be fair, she has a lot on her plate nowadays.

Still, emetics are an important topic. "There's a plant called ipecac - we grow some in the gardens back in Elysium, if you ever need any by the way. The compound you'll need is derived from the roots and rootstalks, which are ground down into a powder. From there, you can dissolve it in alcohol and water it down."

She pauses. "Any other questions?"
transrobotism: (standby)

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-04 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, please! I can promise I'll do my best to master them. [ ... ] ...my best might be a bit of a longer road than most, but still...

[ it doesn't help that she still hasn't pieced together all the characters of the local script, but hopefully that'll go away with more exposure. no imperials to breathe down your neck for looking at written text for too long here. ]
2mao: (Troubled thoughts)

[personal profile] 2mao 2024-06-04 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ Maomao's first thought is of the mushrooms that grow right there in Elysium. Some of the milder ones can act much like alcohol, and they would only be boosted through the use of actual alcohol - which, knowing nobles, would be flowing quite freely. The cooks would need to be careful to not mix up any dishes, of course.

Then her mind moves from poisons to medicines. After all, there were a large number of ones that didn't mix well with alcohol, which boosted its effect on the body so to speak, and any poison tasters would likewise be unprepared for those. After all, she knew all too well how poison tasting worked.

And if somebody clever tried to have Maomao - that is, in her role as Musse's personal poison taster - try one of their dishes herself, it was something that could be absorbed through eating a small tablet of charcoal. If she went with the mushrooms, she'd just need to be careful with the amount of try to handle the fallout. Or use an emetic.

It wasn't a bad thought, though. ]


I can think of a couple ways to go about it. I'll have to see what I can get to work with.

Of course, nothing is too good for our guests.
transrobotism: (Default)

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-04 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
Oops. Looks like you got me.
An "image" of a human is... A very apt description! Normally, I would try harder to pass as human if I needed it to stay a secret, but... the Corsairs are a very motley group, aren't they?
lightnovelexperiences: (:peeved)

[personal profile] lightnovelexperiences 2024-06-04 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. And you and I the dwarven cook are all Crimson Corsairs.

…they cut off my qi. I learned to heal on Mundus and they denied me the power to use it. Because they thought me beneath them.
scarsolderthanyou: (raksura-growl)

[personal profile] scarsolderthanyou 2024-06-04 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
It won't be enough to take this creature out all on his own, that would make for a very dull fight, but it certainly sets up a giant splash and forces the serpent down under the waves with an unearthly wail and a great thrashing of water and coils. Stone drops like his namesake in Ziel's wake, wings folded tightly to his sides, only pulling up right before hitting the choppy waves to rake the serpent's side with claws and tail. He swoops back up out of snapping range, looking for Ziel to snatch him out of the water.
scarsolderthanyou: (curious)

[personal profile] scarsolderthanyou 2024-06-04 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
Stone cranes his neck a little to try and watch her, curious. "I've seen lots of different healing powers. My people's mentors put their power into poultices and draughts that heal more quickly, but I've seen some people do it with hands. Go ahead, then."
tisfinished: (Default)

Re: 2

[personal profile] tisfinished 2024-06-04 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
That should do fine. Pour in a good layer of salt and I’ll start packing fillets on top.

Amada, was it? Are you a young tallman or am I mistaken?
scarsolderthanyou: (skeptical)

[personal profile] scarsolderthanyou 2024-06-04 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
That's the kind of healing Stone is used to. The mentors of his people put their power into poultices. So he simply grunts and pulls his shirt aside a little further to give him room. It's definitely colder than a mentor's poultice, but he can handle it. "Pain doesn't bother me much. I've had much worse than this."

He tilts his head a little to show him a scar across his throat, difficult to see when it's gray on gray but still visible when Stone taps it with one finger. It looks rather like something tried to bite it open. "This one took me days to recover from enough to change shape again."
scarsolderthanyou: (skeptical)

I

[personal profile] scarsolderthanyou 2024-06-04 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
Stone is sitting outside the tavern, where he's been bandaging himself up from the recent raid, but he's visible through the door and he definitely hasn't had anything to eat yet. He looks up as Link steps outside and in front of him.

"What?" he says. "You need something?"
tisfinished: (a hard day's work past)

[personal profile] tisfinished 2024-06-04 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
They’re a good bunch. There’s a light floral taste.

If we could serve this at every breakfast it’d do wonders for morale.