vivalamods: Art: Merlin Ambrosuis (ArtStation) (Default)
Viva La Mods ([personal profile] vivalamods) wrote in [community profile] vivalaooc2024-05-31 08:15 pm
Entry tags:

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.

back to navigation
purplexing: (emotionally unavailable)

[personal profile] purplexing 2024-06-01 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
It's particularly unnerving when you can't get a decent read on a person. He's not sure what to make of that smile but the effect has had the exact opposite in that it's just put him more on edge as they traipse through the woods.

That the man admits he's experienced with wild plants earns a tiny point in his favor, the gloves, a begrudging second. "Yeah, well some of the plants around here don't wait to be touched before doing their damage," he points out, his voice only slightly muffled behind the breathing mask he's secured over the lower half of his face.

"My big brother got a small whiff of one flower once and couldn't tell top from bottom for hours." The faintest chuckle escapes him at the memory; it wasn't funny at the time given he had to mostly drag his brother home and he was a full head taller and twice as broad in girth.
curebootleg: (Default)

[personal profile] curebootleg 2024-06-01 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Preme does not comment on the chalk diagrams. They aren't really helping the point get across.]

So, then... it's less about all having unique strengths, and more about not all having shared weaknesses.
purplexing: (I'm not done pouting yet)

[personal profile] purplexing 2024-06-01 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Nose scrunching up at the question, Donnie takes in a slow breath before he expels the heaviest of sighs, dropping his head between the pages. "No," comes the muffled admission, his tone managing to inject just enough frustration and dejection at the same time.

He supposes he should work with lighter texts, but truthfully there aren't many (that have caught his interest), and he figures the best way to get ahead is to jump right into the deep end of things. Unfortunately all he seems to steadily reap is a headache for his efforts. With a grumble, Donnie pushes himself up from the book, reluctantly shoving it away like a meal he doesn't want to finish.

"What're you reading?" he asks, glancing over at the shaggy-haired man. Maybe it was more interesting than history.
transrobotism: (standby)

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-01 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
11.
santabomber: (Default)

[personal profile] santabomber 2024-06-01 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[As it happens, Fuyumura didn't say as much in even more than one word. When Fuyumura emerged from the smoke billowing in from what had formerly been one of the walls to RPK's cell before Fuyumura happened to it, the only thing she uttered had been a terse,] Move, [before taking her by the hand and dragging her out of the labor camp. But maybe that was enough.

When dawn breaks, Fuyumura is nodding off, propped against the ship's main mast. No matter how much sleep she gets, the gigantic bags under her eyes never seem to go away.

She arches an eyebrow without opening her eyes when RPk walks up to her and expresses her thanks.]
It's what I'm here for. I don't need thanks.
purplexing: (I cannot believe you right now)

2

[personal profile] purplexing 2024-06-01 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[Just a ways off, Donnie rises from plugging a vial up with another specimen. It's not necessarily on their figurative grocery list but who is he to pass up opportunity? He misses his garden so it's no surprise he's been working at slowly establishing a small one back at the Vault.

The shout jolts him to attention, and as he tucks the vial away he looks around, catching the blur of movement between the underbrush. The voice is slightly familiar, but why anyone could be racing in that direction is anyone's guess, unless whoever they were calling had fallen..?

The turtlekin hurries, fleet on his feet as he doesn't take too long to catch up with the other. Wait, he knows her, or at least he's seen her about the Vault. The expression on her face isn't very promising, nor the fact that she's heading straight for the edge of a cliff.
]

Hey!

[She's still a good several meters away from him and even coming up parallel to her, Donnie can't guarantee reaching her in time if he tried to jump. So instead he grabs a cylinder from his side, a tap extending it into a full-length staff, another tap priming the tip in a clawed point. No he's not harpooning her but he is shooting a grapple to try snagging her feet if not her pack before she can reach the edge.]
fish4science: (Default)

[personal profile] fish4science 2024-06-01 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Um, in part! But, to circle back to something you said earlier-oh dear, give me just a moment, I'll have this cleaned up, it really got out of hand.

[ The diagrams really didn't help, but she hastily draws a huge monster and a guy with a pulley and rope. ]

That's...good enough for now. Now, um, here we have a picture of a very strong beastman and a human. The beastman can lift four times as much weight as the human, and thus never bothered to learn how to move heavy objects beyond picking them up and carrying them. The human needs to use a variety of tools, wheels, ropes and other things to move the same weight. Could the beastman learn anything from the human here?
curebootleg: (Default)

[personal profile] curebootleg 2024-06-01 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The pieces are starting to click into place. ]

The beast could study the same principles to lift sixteen times as much as the human.
creativiti: (momo36)

3

[personal profile] creativiti 2024-06-01 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Momo spends a lot of her downtime in the library; often she volunteers to help out, since the place is big and there's only so many actual staff to go around.

It's in this capacity that she's restocking shelves with returned books when Momo hears the crashing sounds. She's off in an instant, running towards the source, which is where she finds the lone arm jutting out from the pile of fallen volumes.

"Don't be alarmed. We'll have you out in a moment." Momo grasps the spindly arm (she wonders if maybe she knows who the trapped person might be; the proportions are right), and readies herself. "All right, can you try to stand? I'll help you up."

Then they can do something about this mess.
transrobotism: (thinks emoji)

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-01 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ there you are. and still so terse! she can't help but be reminded of a certain gruff mastiff... ]

Is that so? If it's just some clutter for you, I can take back those words for safekeeping. Here, watch:

[ she readies her hands like she's going to grasp something, waiting to see if Fuyumura actually does crack an eye open... ]
transrobotism: (teehee)

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-01 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh! Yes, as food! In addition to their distinct flavor, I believe citrus is often considered a dietary necessity of seafaring...? In that case, you've certainly gotten into the right line of work for your tastes.
freearcadia: (Listen well - I will explain only once)

[personal profile] freearcadia 2024-06-01 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
He felt that sigh, as he quickly writes down an unfamiliar word in the script, with a few characters that seem like a series of interconnected lines.

"An astronomy book... probably too much for what I can read in this language," the hazel eye closed. "I wanted to see if knowledge of the sea of stars is..." Harlock pauses, what was that word? No, not advanced - that gives the wrong impression. "similar to where I am from."
transrobotism: (Default)

[personal profile] transrobotism 2024-06-01 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh! In that case, you'd say... life and love are synonymous...? I'd never thought of it that way.

[ RPK pushes a water pitcher toward him. ]

As for hunger... Deprivation versus excess certainly can alter perspective! For instance, because I feel no need to take any more, I think I'd offer this to you and say... "Look, it's still half full. Do you want any?"
Edited 2024-06-01 18:41 (UTC)
purplexing: (victoryy..?)

[personal profile] purplexing 2024-06-01 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, that sounds way more interesting than history. That much clearly shows on the Turtlekin child's face, his eyes lighting up.

"It's amazing. I wonder if it's even possible to map out any of them- there's so many! I used to think we'd get a good view from the beach on unclouded nights, but whenever I'm on a ship I try to find the highest place I can get."
freearcadia: (A rare smile)

[personal profile] freearcadia 2024-06-01 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's like where I'm from, there's billions and billions more out there, that can only be seen by very powerful." Harlock pauses as he frowns in frustration, before miming a telescope. "Or being out there."

"But yes... beaches, and still lakes are good places to look at them." He agreed, a faint tension melting from his shoulders.
fish4science: (Default)

[personal profile] fish4science 2024-06-01 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
You've got it~! Synthesis of different methods is a path towards understanding and improvement.

[ She does a little punch of the air, just to celebrate the lesson. ]

If you're a combatant, it could be more like learning a formal combat school, instead of instinctual brawling, or picking up another weapon and using it to cover the weaknesses in your original style. And knowledge from outside your own perspective can point to gaps in your strength you never knew you had.
purplexing: (wha)

[personal profile] purplexing 2024-06-01 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Donnie sighs, lowering his goggles for a moment. "Yeah. The magnification on these is only for a set distance, even with the auto-focus, but I don't think it'd be practical for anything further like the stars. That'd definitely take some fine tuning."

He nudges the goggles back up again, resting his chin over his arms. "Not much of a chance to view them here, one of the many downsides." The Vault was a great place for making things and studying, but there was noise and being enclosed underground...

"Billions, huh..." That's mind-blowing to think about. "You're not from this world, right? What was yours like?"
curebootleg: (What a letdown)

[personal profile] curebootleg 2024-06-01 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
So that's it.

[ Is that the answer? Multiple interlocking sources of strength, each learning from each other's principles and covering for each other's weaknesses, creating a whole greater than the sum of its parts?

It doesn't feel like a complete answer, but it's a start. ]


I think I understand. Question withdrawn.
curebootleg: (Why won't they shut up)

[personal profile] curebootleg 2024-06-01 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Preme looks at the pitcher silently for a moment, then takes it to fill their glass. Being liberated is thirsty work. ]

People like you... when you have more, you always share it with those who have less. Even if it hurts you.
fish4science: (Default)

[personal profile] fish4science 2024-06-01 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad I could help-and, well, you're welcome...um, I don't believe I got your name.
curebootleg: (Default)

[personal profile] curebootleg 2024-06-01 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They hesitate for a moment. What IS their name? Does the name 'Supreme' still mean anything? Questions for later. ]

...Call me Preme.
santabomber: (emotional yelling)

[personal profile] santabomber 2024-06-01 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[Fuyumura immediately falls over and eats shit. Turns out that when you're 6'2" and built like a stickbug, it's very easy to trip you up.

Still, she flails to unentangle herself, yelling with a desperation that Donnie's never heard before,]
Let- go, damn it!

Anna's right there, I can't waste any time-
freearcadia: (According to plan)

[personal profile] freearcadia 2024-06-01 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[He wasn't in the best of shape, too many questions, too many attempts to force answers that he refuses to give - he barely closed his eye when a bomb served as an extremely impromptu alarm clock.

And it reminded him of his old vagabond days. As he stirs from a moment's risk to alert wakefulness. Before he can fully assess the situation, he found his hand being grabbed, urged to get on his feet. A wild grin flashes on his lips realizing what was happening: A prison break]
purplexing: (not so sure about this)

[personal profile] purplexing 2024-06-01 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Donnie keeps the cable taut as he runs over to check on her, collapsing the staff to half-size so he can tuck it under an arm easier as he stoops down to place a firm hand on her shoulder.]

Who? Look there's no one there, that is a cliff and unlike me I don't think you are properly equipped for a dive.
santabomber: (flustered)

[personal profile] santabomber 2024-06-01 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[Somehow, the muted "mmf" that comes from beneath the tomb of tomes is low and raspy enough to be immediately identified as Fuyumura.

With a hearty heave and ho, she emerges, gasping for air.]


Thank... you...

[After heroically catching her breath from the flyball the books' ambush batted into the outfield, she mutters,] Who makes a compilation of fairy tales a load-bearing support for the entire shelf?!
Edited 2024-06-01 19:26 (UTC)