spacedragons | AUGUST TDM.

➛ Welcome to Last Eden's TDM for August! Threads here can be counted as game canon.
➛ Feel free to use the prompts to test out a new character or to try out the game's premise!
➛ The TDM can be used for your application sample, though it is not a requirement.

A DREAM, OF A SOUL AWAKE.

You are asleep. The dreamscape ripples, resolves into a vision of a foreign land, and then a world of pure white. There is the sensation of rising through deep water, and then you find yourself in a room of white marble. Your items may be set on the floor around you, or you could have arrived bare-handed - whichever it is, you'll soon be addressed by a couple of tired-looking people in white coats. It seems they're as confused as you are.

A ➛ After getting a brief introduction to the White Moon and choosing a faction, you will be allowed to leave. It's a whole new world, after all - so why not look around? The architecture of the Administrative Zone is very formal, in high contrast to the Free Market which is practically a riot of colour and wares. Merchants from all four nations peddle their wares here - have a look around, but also keep a watch on your purse. Some things can be quite expensive.

B ➛ As you head out of the Administrative Zone's gates, a flash of light catches your eye. The sun-crystal is reflected quite brightly in the window of a nearby building, almost dazzling you - and in that instant you see someone behind you in the street. A youth with white hair and grey clothing, oddly familiar. You blink, and he's gone. Maybe he was never there at all.

TO THE STARS, WE ENTRUST OUR DIRECTION.

The money given to every new foreigner is limited. It seems you will be expected to earn your keep from now on, either through tradecraft or through offering your services to the populace. If taking on small contracts isn't your thing, each faction also has bounties up for the taking. After all, you carry a surprising resistance to the miasma that lurks outside the city walls. Why not put it to use?

C ➛ Fancy taking a ride on a dragon? The roostkeepers of the Ice faction are friendly and will allow you to interact with their charges as long as you're respectful of their boundaries. The older dragons will merely gaze at you pensively, but the youngsters are always up for a game of catch or two. There's also the option of dragon taxi if you wish to travel between regions. If you can fork out the coin, they'll send you across the Moon in the fastest time possible.

D ➛ The inland Sea is abuzz with activity at this time of the year. While the seasonal variations are dampened inside the Moon ship, that hasn't stopped the natives from hanging out at the beach. The Blood faction's side has plenty of revelry, with fireworks set off at night and grilled fish stalls set up along the waterfront. Some of the food on offer may carry potent effects, however - the shamans are used to ingesting enhanced wines, but are you?

E ➛ If you've let slip the fact that you're from another world, you may soon gain some fans. Some natives will be curious and wish to interview you, but others may have more shady intentions. It can be hard to distinguish well-wishers from kidnappers - if you're being cornered by a few very earnest folk, it might be time to run.

F ➛ The roostkeepers will let you ride one of their older dragons if you are going to the Badlands on an exploration mission. It's a desolate landscape barren and devoid of all plant life, but such rocks might hide valuable treasures. Strange ores and crystals jut out of rock formations about a mile or two outside the city walls. Even map information will fetch you some reward from your faction. But don't venture out too far, or your resistance may wear off and leave you at the mercy of the elements.

G ➛ Wildcard! Feel free to utilize minor NPCs if needed. If you have any questions about the setting, direct them towards the FAQ.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kino had heard stories of dragons, sure. But they had also heard stories of angels, devils, demons, monsters of the woods and the oceans—they were all interesting, as Kino found the vast majority of stories they had come across, but at the end of the day they were just that. Thoughts and ideas passed down from one generation to the next, usually for some sort of purpose.

But here, dragons served a very different purpose, one which stepped directly from the legends and into living, breathing reality. The young traveler is a little wide-eyed as they approach the creatures assembled at this particular roost. It's actually the machine they're kept balanced at their side, a well-maintained motorrad, that speaks up first:] I can't believe it!

[Kino can't really either, but one tends to believe their eyes after a good deal of time spent on the road.

The traveler carefully stands Hermes up on his kickstand (to his grumbling complaints) and approaches the small group of dragons. They were actually walking towards where the young man was petting the nose of one of the smaller beasts, with an intent to ask him about it, but another of the younger dragons approached to give them first-hand experience before that. It looms over the kid, snorting and looking at them expectantly. For Kino's credit, they don't look at all frightened—just cautious.

It moves its head closer to them, and Kino pauses briefly before shucking off one of their gloves and gently patting the ridge of its nose. The scales were smooth, faintly warm. The dragon gave what seemed to be an approving rumble.

Kino looks over their shoulder to the other newcomer, a small smile on their face.] They're really incredible — [the kid begins to say before the dragon interrupts, nosing further against Kino's hand. They give the beast another pet.]

That's okay, I'll just watch them from over here! [That voice, which sounded like it should've come from a young boy, sure did just come from the motorcycle sat a short distance away. To confirm that, Kino shoots him a bit of a look.]

[Lavi is a bit curious when another boy approaches the dragons.

He allows his hand to slide down its neck in an affectionate gesture before he looks over at the traveler. Nothing about him stands out, but he's more curious about the two different kinds of voices that doesn't seem to make sense.

His eyebrows furrows a bit, mostly in confusion as he tries to figure it out before he glances at...what is that?

The redhead is a bit confused now, enough that it has the dragon nosing him for more pets.]

What is that voice?

[That Kino appears very nondescript to an average person is something done knowingly; they are used to being a stranger in a strange land, and often the easiest way to travel is to make oneself as unobtrusive as they could. It had certainly offered them slightly more ease getting around this city than other newcomers, whose slightly-more-obvious "otherness" attracted great deals of attention.

There was less of that here, set away from the common crowds as it was. There was just the attention of the dragons. As Kino turns to address the question, the dragon that they had been patting on the nose looks none too happy to be momentarily ignored.]

Oh. [It wasn't the first time someone had expressed surprise at Hermes; though it was alternatively rote or simply unsurprising for motorrads to speak in Kino's own world, the fact that the vehicle had his own sentience was something of a shock for most they'd spoken to here so far.]

It's mine. What, can't you tell? You have ears, don't you?

[The voice, a tonally lower and gruffer than Kino's (albeit still sounding quite young), was certainly coming from the motorcycle leaning on its kickstand. Kino begins to approach it, looking chagrined.]

Don't be rude.

[A brief pause, then, in grumbled undertone:] I think it's kinda rude they're all so surprised...

[Okay, the vehicle really did talk.

Lavi was sure he's seen a lot of things already, especially given the fact that in the Far Shore, there were already a whole lot of weird things going on.

At the same time, the redhead crosses his arms, looking a bit unimpressed at the motorcycle.]

To be fair, no one really expects a motorcycle to be talking.

[Kino's expression grows a little more grave. Hermes, for a motorrad, was a little... vain, if they had to put it into words. He certainly took offense to being thought of as just an object (which had happened quite a number of times already, with no sign of it abating in sight). It just gave them additional damage control to do, as he could get rather mouthy when frustrated.]

Maybe for you...!

[He probably would've continued, but Kino stepped to his side and placed a hand on his handlebars.] Where we're from, it's not something anyone questions.

[Here's where one would usually put an explanation for such a thing, but Kino's world was strange, almost abstract in a way. Some strange things were simply understood, while other banal things were called into question.]

Please forgive him. He's not used to people... doubting him like this.

[As Kino gives the level-headed apology, the dragon they had briefly entertained sidles up beside them and begins to try to gently tug the aviator-style cap from their head.]

[...Did he offend the thing?

Lavi's honestly not sure what to expect, so he simply shifts his gaze to the other person.]

...Sorry if I offended... him. [He says that a little unsure, still trying to wrap his mind around it. He knows that in their vessel forms, shinki can talk, but that's only to their gods.

This is different.] It really isn't something I'd expect to see.

[Ah, but the dragon is coming over now and his attention is caught by it.]

[Hermes could be haughty at times. It certainly wasn't unique of Lavi to do such a thing. He would cool off in a moment—the motorrad tended to not dwell in such things.

Kino shakes their head.] Don't let it concern you. That it's something surprising in this place is something we both need to get used to.

[The kid angles a sharp glance down to the motorrad, who decidedly stays silent.

By this time, the dragon bothering Kino had fully tugged both their cap (and goggles) free, dangling it a few feet above them in the air. They give Lavi an amused expression as they turn calmly to the creature.] Like we'll have to get used to these creatures.

[Then they start to try convince the beast to give them their stuff back, patting it on the neck and asking very politely.]

Well, that is something I can agree with.

[At least the dragon bothering Lavi hasn't attempted to try to tug on his eye-patch.]

...What's your name?

AUGUST TDM.

C!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject