TEST DRIVE MEME 001

[rubimods]

⚰︎ ⍢ ⌲ ⍚ TEST DRIVE MEME:

CONTENT WARNINGS for this game include: monsters, body horror, dub-con, non-con, religion, blood/violence, and marking/branding, loss of autonomy/self, and mental influences.

This log additionally has warnings for: nudity, spiders, waxplay, character death, and references to children in proximity to sexual situations.

✧ ✧ ✧

Welcome to RUBILYKSKOYE — a dark, horror-smut game where player choices will drive a mod-run storyline about the world and its NPCs. For the first round, this test drive serves as characters' arrival into game.

THESE THREADS CAN BE GAME CANON if both players are accepted into the game and agree to it. However, if players who'd prefer to start fresh are welcome to reuse these prompts in their own personal logs upon acceptance into the communities.

If you have QUESTIONS about the test drive prompts, please ask HERE. Questions about the game itself or the general setting should be directed to the FAQ.

FAQ ✧ SETTING ✧ CALENDAR ✧ RESERVES ✧ APPLICATIONS

AWAKENING IN PAJAK WOOD

The chirping of partridges in the treetops rouses you. Light barely filters through the canopy, just enough to suggest warmth of the sun. By the time it reaches the forest floor, the daylight has taken on a sickly green tinge. You lie amongst the mosses and ferns, the soil cold and just a little damp on your bare skin. Wherever you were before this moment, whatever you were doing or wearing, when you awaken in this forest, you find yourself naked and helpless as the day you were born.

Fortunately, you seem to be alone. The birdsong continues as you sit up and get your bearings — aside from a brief wave of disoriented nausea, you seem to be no worse for wear than you last remember. Amongst gnarled oaks and moss, you see nothing around. No sign of civilization or sentient life. Movement flickers at the corner of your eye, but it's just a curious animal — brave squirrels or lizards who have come to see what stirs in their home.

Then, like the rippling of the horizon at noontime, the ash-gray soil around you undulates. Sea, not earth. Something else has come to greet you — their grey bodies blended in so easily with the floor, but as you stagger to your feet, you see them. Thousands of spiders roll like waves underfoot. They crawl towards you from the darker edge of the forest.

attack

Individuals who attack the spiders will find the small spiders are easy to kill, but the pheromones released by their corpses draw larger spiders in their place. Huge, blood-red spiders the size of hunting dogs drop from the treetops. In addition to their venomous bite, which contains a fast-acting paralytic, these creatures are clever: they will attempt to use their webbing to handicap any trespassers, binding limbs together or to trees. If you're unfortunate to become fully cocooned, you don't have long before this forest will be the last thing you see.

FAQ: DEATH RULES

hunt

Any aspiring monster-hunters enterprising enough to try to follow the spiders to their nest will move eastward. This way, the forest grows darker and darker — though the sun never grows warm red-gold with sunset.

In the void, the birdsong is replaced by the click of mandibles and the skitter of many legs, but soon it is impossible to see. Even with the brightest magical light does not reach further than a few inches. The air grows heavy and thick, as if it were not air at all but some more solid mass. Almost like liquid-smoke, it presses down upon you. Slowing your movements. Soon, you cannot move at all.

Turn back while you still can — collapsing out here is dangerous. The void can play tricks on your senses. You may find yourself reliving unhappy memories or hallucinating your worst nightmares.

SETTING: THE VOID

But flee the spiders westward and you will discover that the wood is well-populated with the survival resources that someone might seek — berries bushes and trees bearing stone fruits; sticks and dry leaves to aid in the building of a fire; rocks big enough to fashion into crude weapons; small animals that can be hunted or caught; hike long enough, and you might just find the freshwater stream that runs north-to-south, populated by both poisonous toads and delicious crawdads.

What's more, you may run into others with stories just like yours. Some may have already formed clumsy nudist hiking parties, others may still be naked and confused and processing how they have no memory of how they got here. They all stagger vaguely, as you do, with only the sun for a waymarker — and even that won't last long.

Now is a good time to overcome any hang-ups you have about modesty, as it's going to be a long hike. If you sneak a good look at your new companions, you may four varietals of marks on their bodies. Maybe someone will even point out that you have one, too.

FAQ: CURSE MARKS

EVERY DAY LIKE THE ONE BEFORE

Hike far enough — or long enough that the sun does go down — and signs of life come into view. The glow of fires and lights, the smooth curve of a stone wall. A town sits at the edge of this wood, a reward to the survivors.

The fifty-foot wall of beige stone protecting the town's perimeter has only a single entrance — an iron gate positioned on the southern edge. When you arrive, the gate is already open, welcoming people into town from the winding dirt road. Attentive eyes may note that the road itself bears the mark of many wagon wheels and horse hoofs, but not cars.

guards

The guards grant entry to anyone who attempts a conversation with them. However, if your character is more likely to attempt to sneak in, overcome the guards, or attack them, please reach out HERE.

Inside the wall lies a quaint, historic town with a population around five thousand. The streets are cobbled, and their signs are lit by gas lamp. Wooden shutters protect otherwise open-air windows on the buildings, which are all under three stories with gabled roofs. A number of businesses hug the main street — a clockmaker, a cobbler, a bank — while residential homes sprawl outwards towards the wall. At the far end of the main street, visible about a mile to the north now that the trees and the enormous wall is out of the way, sits a castle with three towers.

No matter what time you pass through the gate, the streets are full of people. The climate of the bustle befits a night market or a busy friday downtown — plenty of people to ogle at your exposed body. But despite any efforts on your part to hide or make excuses, the locals don't seem offended by your nakedness. Even families with children don't gawk or look twice. In fact, the further into town you go, the more you may notice that they all wear revealing clothing that, to your sensibilities, may seem sexually suggestive. Some individuals openly expose their breasts and nipples, while some others may incidentally reveal when they turn around to tend to their errands that their dress is backless — entirely! If anything, they seem to be under the impression that you're naked to participate in the evening's events with the rest of them.

Those still determined to find proper clothing will find that modern clothing stores aren't a thing here. The closest this town has is a tailor's shop, which is closed for religious observance, and a stand in the central marketplace selling scarves and blankets.

Fortunately, the people of the town are very generous! The locals will gladly share what they have with those who ask politely — but those items are as revealing as what they're wearing. You might get a mesh bodysuit or drape outfit. Remember not to be ungracious! it's only appropriate for the occasion.

steal clothing

Anyone unwilling to ask nicely for help could break into someone's house or yard to steal some of their clean laundry. Notably, inside their homes, the people of the town also appear to own some more modest apparel. Be sure to alert us HERE if your character pursues this option.

SETTING: CRIME

And what is the occasion? The locals are excited and flattered by any interest in their ordinary weekly prayer: the folks dancing and selling their wares are all offering their energies to give thanks and ask for their god's patronage! The abstractions are all familiar — fertility, harvest, peace. Smalltalk makes them eager to chat and draw you into those festivities — including some ceremonial wax-dripping on the exposed parts of your body!

Anyone who chats at length with the townspeople will gather that the locals feel it's better for the newcomers to dive into the deep-end because, since you'll be settling in here, they expect you'll want to participate down the line. They seem to be under the impression that the new arrivals are a boon from their god.

In addition, many of the locals' choice of clothes reveal the same four types of marks on their bodies as the folx who were wandering out in the wood!

ROOM AND BOARD

Once you're tired out, the locals will help you find a place to stay. The boarding house is several stories tall and spacious, accessible through an embellished iron garden gate and obscured by hanging plants, trees, and vines. Beyond the overgrown yard is a bright red door, which opens into a spacious cottage.

The house has clearly been empty for some time — dust has gathered on various furnishings — bedding, sofas, curtains, wooden tables. According to the locals, it has remained empty since its last occupant passed away, and that's all they'll say about that!

Each floor of the house has a shared sitting room, but only the first floor has a kitchen — large enough to support feeding the entire household. Here, a few of the townspeople will help out — they stock the kitchen and help make dinner for the new arrivals.

finding roommates

Don't spend too much time in the dining room going for seconds, though. You'll want to claim a bedroom quickly because each one only has two full-size beds, and there aren't enough spaces for everyone. The last people upstairs will need to double up to squeeze in. Roommates will not be mod-assigned; players should coordinate directly with one another to determine their living arrangements.

Get a good night's rest. By the light of day, locals will help get the new arrivals set up on the coal stove with breakfast. You may notice they're dressed in a way you would almost call normal — at least, in a manner befitting 19th century Eastern Europe. As you find your way around town to get your bearings, folks are eager to help you find a place to apply your skills so you can contribute to your new home.

Comments

[umarell]

[ Nicky can sense that apprehension on him. Anyone could; it's so close to the surface that it's almost painful, not least because he can see that the man's clearly suffering. His wounds are concerning both because of their scope and because of their depth: some are fresh, and some are old. It's clear that he's been fighting to survive for a long time. ]

They might be a little bitter. I don't know if they're ripe. But they're safe – I tried some myself.

[ His expression is encouraging; not quite a smile, because Nicky's smiles are small and they don't come easy. But he's confident. ]

[blueshit]

[ The taste couldn't matter less. Nicky's confident, reassuring, and just the fact that he isn't taking the berries back, that this doesn't seem like a trick, is enough for Jesse.

The expression he gives him mirrors Nicky's own, the ghost of a smile so small it's nearly invisible. He accepts the berries Nicky tips into his outstretched hand, just staring for a moment before dumping them all into his mouth at once, practically inhaling them like an animal. He'd been right, they are bitter, but it doesn't matter. It's food, food given freely and without any conditions attached, and he closes his eyes as he chews and swallows. It's only once the berries are gone that he comes back to himself, wiping the juice off his face with the back of his hand and shooting Nicky an embarrassed look. ]

Sorry. Uh - thanks. Thank you.

[umarell]

[ He reminds Nicky a little of a trapped animal, which isn't a particularly flattering comparison, but it's hard to shake it. There's a pang in him, stronger than he's felt in a while, to do good, to look after the lost souls here. Moving forward and doing what he thinks is right without clear reason behind his predicament is what he's always done after all.

He offers Jesse a nod, an acknowledgement of his thanks, but after a moment he has to clarify. ]

No apologies necessary. I think we're past the point of table manners here. [ Naked in the woods with the only others being in the same predicament, it's not like Nicky would have expected him to use a salad fork. ] I'm Nicky.

[blueshit]

[ Jesse shoots him the tiniest smile, gratitude for the understanding. Trapped animal isn't far off. Twenty-four hours he'd been little more than that. An abused captive, made to perform for his masters. Treated worse than any pet ever should be. ]

Jesse.

Do you know...what's happening?

[ There's no reason why he should. They're both in the same situation, to all appearances, lost and naked in the woods. But Nicky seems to have taken to it much quicker than Jesse ever could. There's something about him that has Jesse looking to him for leadership already. ]

[umarell]

[ Nicky shakes his head, his expression a little grim. He wishes he could offer something more, but the truth is that even in all these long years he's been alive, he's experienced nothing remotely like this. ]

I think it will take time before any of us know what's happening. For my part, I think it's best that we stay together for now, as much of us as we can.

[blueshit]

[ Jesse can't hide his disappointment, the way his face falls a little. It would've been nice if Nicky could've offered an explanation. If he'd said yeah, it's not a big deal, I've been through this before.

But of course he hadn't. This is beyond fucked up, whatever it is, and Jesse's seen a lot of fucked up shit. He nods, taking a deep breath. Trying to just...stay cool. It's cool. It's gonna be all right, right? ]

Yeah. Yeah, that's...that's smart.

[umarell]

[ Nicky can tell he's trying very hard to take this as much in his stride as possible. He can also tell that it's not easy for him. He gives him a charitable look. ]

Are you alright? [ A pause, before he continues, ] I think we are all on the same page. This is unfamiliar for each of us. But you look... exhausted.

[ That's putting it nicely, too. ]

[blueshit]

[ Exhausted. That doesn't begin to cover it, and even Jesse, who's had only a brief glimpse of himself in the rearview mirror as he'd sped away from Jack's compound - unshaven, scarred, unrecognizable - knows it. He tries to nod and can't quite manage it, and wose, feels a lump start to rise in his throat. ]

Y...yeah, I, uhhh.

[ His voice is hoarse, and he swallows painfully, shaking his head. ]

Haven't been...sleeping great, I guess.

[ Or eating. Or a million other things. ]

[umarell]

[ Nicky can practically feel his exhaustion, his pain. He’s like a wounded animal. Nicky fights the immediate urge to reach out and put a hand on his shoulder, only because he worries it might spook him. He reflects a little guiltily that he’s treating Jesse a bit like a feral prey animal. ]

I’m sorry that you can’t rest yet. But we will find somewhere soon. Someone has to have brought us here.

[blueshit]

[ Once upon a time, he would've felt insulted by Nicky's concern. He would've pushed back on pure instinct, needing to prove to the world that he wasn't a fucking weakling or a pushover, that he didn't need anyone's pity. Especially not this stranger who knows nothing about him. After all, once your reputation goes, what's left? There's no room for vulnerability in the world he'd once inhabited. No room for exhaustion. For needing to rest.

There's no hint of that now. He just nods, accepting the sympathy and the optimism both, even if he can't share the latter. Even if someone had brought them here, that doesn't mean anything. Maybe there is nowhere to rest. Maybe it's just this forest full of spiders and naked people forever.

It's no good arguing, though. So he just takes a breath and tries to steel himself as much as he can. One foot in front of the other. Either Nicky's right and they'll find something, or they won't, and Jesse will take one last step and fall down and not get up again. Until that happens... ]

Soon.

Yeah.