vivalamods: Art: Merlin Ambrosuis (ArtStation) (Default)
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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flashpointe: (019)

[personal profile] flashpointe 2024-06-04 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Fun outcomes? Should I ask..?

[ No, no you shouldn’t. ]
stophamatime: (015)

[personal profile] stophamatime 2024-06-04 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Oof. The language. It's not completely unfamiliar, since he's heard other arrivals speak similarly, but it takes him a little more effort to parse.

"It...doesn't really matter, does it? Work still needs doing."

He doesn't have much interest in the product, even if there was an enforced drinking age. People lose their wits a little too easily once they start drinking, and he has no desire to impair his own judgment when he never knows when might be the crucial moment.
stophamatime: (072)

[personal profile] stophamatime 2024-06-04 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
He's taking notes diligently, although he tactfully leaves out this part could be good for actually killing people. It's not like it isn't a logical conclusion to get to from the raw information anyway.

"Are those common? The ones you'd run that risk with?"
stophamatime: (070)

[personal profile] stophamatime 2024-06-04 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I definitely wouldn't say no to that.

[ He hasn't...gone out of his way to arm himself, exactly. He's mostly just tried to keep a low profile. Even if he doubts anyone would actually stop him, since people tend to assume someone else is taking responsibility for him. Conveniently.

But hey, if someone is straight-up suggesting it? The explanation has just written itself, if anyone does find a sense of responsibility about weapon-toting children. ]
stophamatime: (036)

[personal profile] stophamatime 2024-06-05 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
I remember who I got it from. I don't know how much he usually has, though, since I was just going for what I could afford out of my own pocket.

[ And, well. Child. He's resourceful and he manages to scrape together some things for himself here and there, but he doesn't have the resources of an actual purchasing agent, to be sure. ]

They're good, though, so I'm definitely going to look for him next time we dock there!
cutabout: (✃ rends with benefits)

Vault

[personal profile] cutabout 2024-06-05 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ Übel has a book on the theory of combat magic, but it isn't hitting. Mostly because she's doesn't like reading, so she's happy to jump at a chance to chat as opposed to keeping her nose buried—and happy for a chance to be contrarian, frankly.

She's half flopped over the table right across from him, idly kicking her heels, with the book barely propped up at the end of outstretched arms. It might as well be upside down. Übel lets it drop, then peers up at him. ]


Oh, really? I think you never know what might come in handy. You don't have to be so stuffy.
takingchances: (007)

[personal profile] takingchances 2024-06-05 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
Frankly any of the steps in making cloth would be handy. We do have older books and that sort of thing but most of our cloth comes from raids or what we manage to scavenge and that sort of thing.

[Since they're talking Eva elects to head for the mess hall. Going into the Hull yammering away would just wake someone up and frankly she's sure they all need all the sleep they can get.]

And someone with experience in any of it is a big boon, trust me. Personally I can do a little hand sewing but it's very little.
takingchances: (008)

[personal profile] takingchances 2024-06-05 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Eva catches the potato with practiced ease -- has she pulled this stunt before? -- and that half-grin turns into a smirk.]

Oh? Neither do I. Looks like we'll be good company.

[She starts off peeling that potato in her hand at the moment but huffs out a laugh.]

Don't worry, I'm not going to try to order you around after this. Cooking time is always 'all hands on deck' though, particularly when we've just liberated a bunch of new people.
stophamatime: (017)

[personal profile] stophamatime 2024-06-05 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's lacking in experience and raw strength, but Ken's always been quick on his feet, and being the tiniest revolutionary has only given him more cause to maintain his reflexes. He hops back, gaze darting up and down the length of the tentacle, looking for the best place to strike.

...much easier in things that actually have joints, really. But he watches and dodges another strike, before picking his target.

The third time the tentacle lashes out, he twists to the left and pulls back to take a stab -- not the spot where the tentacle is, but the spot he estimates it will be.

He has a decent eye for it, too. He wings the tentacle, causing it to flail angrily and slap the deck with a CRASH. ]
sapphirecontess: (006)

[personal profile] sapphirecontess 2024-06-05 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
You never know the kind of romantic happenings that occur blessed by the moon and stars~

[Yeah she's being Like That again]
diamondblades: (011)

[personal profile] diamondblades 2024-06-05 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Selene handily dodges several more attacks, dicing a few more tentacles with her own flurry of blows while keeping an eye on Ken. When she sees the tentacle hit the deck, she beams with pride.]

Well struck, boy! Now the true test, can you drive it back?

[One of her scimitars is held back, she's prepared to intervene if she has to but if she can, she'd like to encourage his growth]
peasantofmanyfaces: (Iryna)

[personal profile] peasantofmanyfaces 2024-06-05 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
It would be nice to relax as a cow again. Or a bird, that's nice too. Ah, I've wore so many faces, even killed and replaced a few imperial shitheads. It'd be nice to relax from that. But I can't rest as long as there're any serfs that aren't free. ...I miss the animals I took care of as a serf.

The woman looks at the stranger touching her curiously. "Yes?" She asks with a pleasant tone. For all appearances, she acts and looks like a simple farmer from the country. Not like it's much of an act, she really was one, but those hopes are of a tired shapeshifter and facestealer.
transrobotism: (thinks emoji)

better start saving up that notoriety for fabric reasons, rpk

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-05 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ RPK follows after at an unhurried pace. ]

...How interesting. I wouldn't have guessed that was the most useful thing about me I could offer the Corsairs... but that wouldn't be so bad! I am not terrifically fond of combat, after all.

Mm... Do you think the raid picked up any of the factory equipment, or just what we were making there?
takingchances: (009)

[personal profile] takingchances 2024-06-05 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Oooh, what a pairing. Eva doesn't seem to pay the accent much mind; it's not the first time she's heard one after all! The newly liberated seemed to be a real mix of types after all and one was far more judged on what they could do than where they were from ... for the most part.]

Well then you'll fit in fine I'd say. Your magic might not be as powerful as it used to be but you'll still have it.
takingchances: (010)

hey man if she can contribute to your notoriety pile she definitely will, lol

[personal profile] takingchances 2024-06-05 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
Oh they might have if they could get away with it. We don't leave anything to waste here if we can haul it off with us!

[Then she laughs a little.]

I don't blame you with the combat thing either. Eventually I'd like to learn some Ether abilities but I'm not really keen on being out in the front lines either. I'm usually down in the Vault.
fish4science: (Default)

[personal profile] fish4science 2024-06-05 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ She gives him a funny look-a bookworm with a magic wand sticking out of her satchel along with a couple of volumes, a smoll adorable creature. ]

Well, I don't know if it's hungry, or angry, or just confused, there's not a lot of behavioral studies of such creatures for obvious reasons.

[ And then he asks the absolutely absurd question. Unfortunately, it hits her right in her trans-girl euphoria and she's suddenly overwhelmed by 'omg, damsel? ME, a Damsel?' So overwhelmed by it, in fact, that she missed the key word 'distress.']

Ehhh, really do you think I could do it?
transrobotism: (sedate)

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-05 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
Ether seems... a little over my head, but there are certainly some practical applications of it that attract me. Mainly...
[ quietly testing: if ether is as unfamiliar to her as it is to RPK, maybe living in a world with an actual power grid won't be. ] Have you heard that you can even use Ether to produce electricity?
nolo: (pic#17206609)

[personal profile] nolo 2024-06-05 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
Oddly, that did not help his skepticism much. Especially not that smile. Michinaga had seen that kind of smile before and it never meant anything good. He could feel his own expression getting more and more incredulous as he made good and sure that there was still a fair amount of distance between them.

"Why the hell would you want a cure that makes you feel worse?" Temporary or not. Sure normal healing was a pain in the ass, but it generally didn't involve writhing around in agony. Not a hard choice to make. "You sure you're a healer?"
nolo: (pic#17206605)

[personal profile] nolo 2024-06-05 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ He has to pause for a moment to wrestle down the urge to shake the fox until his teeth rattle, but he does get one last bit of pettiness in as he shoves Ace away at the same time as he lets go of his shirt. Unfortunately, Michinaga has also had far too much experience translating Ace, which means he's already got his answer--god or whatever or not, Ace didn't do this. If he had, there'd be a lot more gloating about some lesson he's trying to impart.

Which honestly, kind of a let down. If it'd been Geats bullshit, it at least would have made sense. ]


Who's 'we'? [ He better not be thinking of himself as a plural now. No world needs more than one Geats at a time, that much has been made stunningly obvious. Michinaga does shoot him a half-hearted glare before the rocking of the ship reminds him that they are, in fact, in the middle of something. How does Ace always manage to distract him like this? ] Nevermind, I don't care. You couldn't have at least brought some Buckles?
fuckthatdragon: (^_^)

[personal profile] fuckthatdragon 2024-06-05 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
"Sometimes medicine tastes bad."

The beatific smile continued, unabated.

"I may not be a healing expert, but I know enough magic to heal basic wounds like these."
divingthunderbird: (15)

[personal profile] divingthunderbird 2024-06-05 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
The man nodded a little, expression easing a bit more.

"Your passion really shone through, though. And the best teachers embrace that. I do think it's easier to be motivated to learn from someone who truly cares about what they're teaching. You just... gotta meet them where they are."

Marcus put a finger to his chin, taking a moment to think.

"Don't get too down about it, though. That one lad who asked some good questions about the equation was really getting into your class."
diamondblades: (010)

Danger at Sea

[personal profile] diamondblades 2024-06-05 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
A hand splashes into the water after Noctis, reaching for him to pull him to safety.
fray: (say)

[personal profile] fray 2024-06-05 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ As someone who'd been trained since he was a child, Id doesn't see anything strange about it. What's the boy supposed to do, defend himself with cleaning supplies?

His first reflex certainly isn't to hide. ]


I'll show you where I picked this up.

[ Id shifts the sword against his shoulder as indication. The weapons might not be the most well-tended, but it beats a mop, so he gestures with his free hand before backtracking toward the weapons cache. ]

There should be something that works for you.
transrobotism: (teehee)

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-05 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
"It ends with me" is quite the powerful credo! And it's not all that often one is offered an obvious means to that end.
fray: (Default)

[personal profile] fray 2024-06-05 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ It sounds more impressive when she says it. And she's right, it's seldom the case that one has a tidy solution, if only he can get an opening. ]

Guess not.

[ But with all that said... ]

What'll you do?