spacedragons | AUGUST TDM.

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!tdm

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

A

[Fennel and worn jeans, dark hair and stubble-this does not seem to be the typical fare of the factions, of the many nations.

And yet, that is who he is. A man-a wolf of a man rather-who wanders through the Free Market. At first glance, he seems to be a tourist, someone who has never been at the markets. But it's full of noise, smells, sounds. Some of which he's familiar with, and others not so much. But it all leads to one simple conclusion:

That of a man, an animal, overstimulated and trapped. Every new sound has his head turning this way and that; his eyes are too wide, his shoulders tense.

Care to help out a mountain of a man get away from the noise?]

C

[He's knows there are dragons in his world, and there are other shape shifters to boot. But...it's one thing knowing, and another thing seeing a dragon in real life.

Especially dragons that can go into space. It's an amazing thing, and Chika is fascinated by the sight. The adults he gives the respect to, and the youngsters he's got energy abound to play with.

But there's at one point that for some reason that Chika has his hands on a dragons muzzle, while it's got its head pressed against him. It's hard to say who started it, but...

It's either some sort of head pushing contest, or they're dozing while standing up. Take your pick.]

E

[It's true that Chika cuts quite the figure. He's six foot six, not pure human, and he could lift a person one handed without relying on supernatural strength. But right now he's obviously uncomfortable and trying to move around so he won't be cornered by his...fans, is it?]

Yeah, er, that's nice, ain't interested.

[Would he be so willing to give up his blood, one excited person asks, and Chika snorts, shaking his head.]

Hell no! What kind of fool do you take me for? You know the kind of nonsense can happen with blood lettin?

[His eyes are on the person asking the question and not...the person who's drawing out the knife. Seems they want a little blood or hair themselves! Uh oh.]

[This one smells funny. Stone has been watching him try to navigate the crowd for a few minutes now, tasting the air now and then to pick up a better scent of him. Finally, he pushes up from the stall he's leaning against to investigate.

He's tall himself but rangy rather than broad, with shaggy gray hair and gray skin to boot, weathered more than lined, but obviously old. One blue eye is bright, and the other clouded, as if blind or partially so. He doesn't move like a local, either, and he approaches obviously, in a way that shows he's trying to be non-threatening and up-front. He doesn't speak, at first, giving Chika a chance to avoid him if that's what he'd prefer.]

[He can smell...something too. Something not quite human in the crowds. His eyes were too big all around as he jerked his head towards the other...man? Someone. Tall enough that he could see him over the locals.

Chika doesn't move. His lip twitches-more to sneer or snarl if anything-but he doesn't move.

He's not moving to attack or anything but he's still tense. There's too much going on, and he wants out.]

[Stone stops a few paces in front of Chika, lets the crowd move around him, and regards him for a moment. Then he jerks his head for Chika to follow him, turning to head for a quieter street, at least, in the direction of the nearest dragon tower. There are less people there, since no one wants to rile up the dragons.

And he wants to ask this groundling why he smells like fur. Maybe said groundling can ask him, in return, why he smells like scales.]

[His eyes narrow briefly, before his head dips in a nod. Anything would be better then the crowds.

Silent, he follows Stone to a quieter street, breathing easier when they're away from the crowds. There's still a lot of stimulus, but less as they move away from the business of the markets.

Which helps him focus on the smell of the man in front of him. Much like snakes or lizard, with that scent of scales.]

Thanks. That was embarassin.

[The words are half spoken, half muttered as Chika rubs his mouth. Really he should know better by now.]

You didn't panic or start killing everyone. I'd say that's better than some would have been.

[Stone turns back to look Chika over again thoughtfully, before putting the obvious into words:]

Not used to crowded places?

[Chika laughed a little, the noise hitching in his throat. It might have been closer then he'd care to admit when it came to lashing out and causing a scene. It wouldn't been pleasant in the least. He didn't know if there was even a jail system in place.]

Heh. Sorta. Could say overstimulated.

[He wrinkled his nose, before explaining further.]

I don't do well in new crowded places. 'specially when I keep gettin jostled. Too many smells, possible threats, all that stuff.

As far as I can tell, no one here is interested in killing us. Though I haven't been here very long yet, so there's still time for them to prove me wrong.

[Stone shrugs.]

I'm Stone. And you aren't like most groundlings I've met. Usually they don't comment on the smells of a place unless it's a pretty specific kind of scent.

I'd hope not. It'd be a waste of resources if they brought us here and killed us, don't you think?

[He shrugs back, a slight smile on his mouth.]

Call me Chika. And you ain't human, are you? Referin to people as groundlings ain't common where I'm from.

We don't even have humans where I come from. Though apparently I look enough like them to get along here, at least half the time. The other half, I look more like them.

[He jerks his head in the direction of one of the dragons taking off from the tower in the distance, without looking at it.]

I'd show you, but that tends to scare people when you do it in the middle of the street. I'm a Raksura. What about you?

Mm. There a bunch where I'm from. I can blend in, most of the time.

[His eyes glance up to the tower, the dragon taking off. That was...huh.]

No prob. Might be a little crowded for you as it is. I'd have to strip or rip my clothes, and I kinda like them. Most people don't like sudden nudity on the street.

I'm what most people call a werewolf.

Werewolf.

[Stone repeats the word like he's never heard it before. Because he hasn't. He shakes his head.]

Which means about as much to me as "Raksura" does to you. You're going to have to be more specific.

[He said he looked like a dragon; maybe Chika can do the same. Though probably not like a dragon.]

Yeah, but the whole dragon thing gives it a hint.

[His voice is a touch wry, but still.]

It means I change into an animal. A wolf, specifically. Which is a large canine creature, if you've got those.

[Stone waves that off briefly, focusing on the explanation of the unfamiliar species. He frowns thoughtfully, trying to bring up why that sounds familiar, until the memory jogs loose.]

There are creatures like that on my world, in the east. I only ran into them once. They ate groundlings.

[He tilts his head at Chika and asks the important question:]

Do you?

No. And I don't hunt them either.

[His lip curls in obvious disgust. Or as if to growl. He doesn't though; instead, he folds his arms over his chest.]

It's hard not to chase anything that runs, but I'm in control, not the instinct. I eat prey animals without sentience.

I could ask you the same thing you know-if you're a groundling eater.

Good. And if you didn't ask when meeting another shapeshifter, I'd worry what was wrong with you.

[And, even though that wasn't a direct question, he answers it, anyway.]

No, I don't eat things with thinking brains, and I'd do my best to stop and get rid of anything that did.

[He snorts quietly.]

There's a lot of those where I'm from, and we're all more or less outed. None of us need the bad press right now. Humans are being stupid and nervous about new things.

[Stone's answer has Chika bare his teeth in a grin.]

So you would have tried to kill me if I said yeah?

[For a moment, Stone considers that, scratching at his chin as if the answer doesn't really matter all that much, but in the end he admits,]

Probably. Can't have something like that running around in a closed off space like this. The groundlings wouldn't stand much of a chance.

Not in the least. They'd be meat on a hoof.

[He shrugs, not seeming offended or insulted. In the end he goes for:]

Good. If we were having to deal with something like that-especially something that needed or wanted to eat even one groundlings a day, as you call them-they'd have no chance.

I dunno what fraction you're from, but I don't care. I say we should enter into an agreement.

Spring.

[He snorts, as if finding that amusing. He's not about to turn down backup, though. After all, he doesn't know what else he might run into-- and if Chika is lying, an agreement means he can maybe keep an eye on him.]

But that shouldn't matter. I can get anywhere on this flying rock if I need to. So if you find someone killing people, you let me know, and I'll do the same.

Heh. Fitting.

[Chika doesn't say his faction just yet, but-well. Stone might be able to handle it by himself usually, but he'd rather have backup-and another pair of eyes. Even if they don't really know each other or have a good reason to trust each other either.]

I think if it's a big enough threat, either of us can back the other up, anywhere.But I'll let you know, and if I haven't taken them down myself by the time you get there?

[He shrugs.]

We'll do it together. Deal?

[Stone's smile has a bit more teeth than most might. It sounds good, to him.]

Deal. Now tell me what faction you're in so I know where to find you. I've been told communication between the factions isn't always easy.

[He'd be tempted to set up some kind of messenger service, but he knows he'd get bored and annoyed with the petty things he'd have to deliver.]

Figured it wouldn't. That'd be too easy.

[Not that he expected Stone to know what a phone was but...well. Using magic solely for communication was still a strange idea to him.]

It's Light. I thought about Spring but-well.

[At least this way they have other areas covered.]

Gemaryah "Chika" Washington | OC

A.

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c!

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