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Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE MEME 001
⚰︎ ⍢ ⌲ ⍚ 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
dirk "bro" strider. homestuck. wilk.
[ it's not like dirk's never woken up somewhere feeling like he got hit by a crowbar to the back of the head. it's the fact that it clears so easily once he's sat up that really gets to him. the naked thing, not so much: he doesn't really have anything to hide. so he stands, and stretches, and listens to his body when it comes to seeing if there are any new wounds he should be taking care of.
no, surprisingly. so the biggest problem is someone took his fucking sword.
he's up and about and looking for anything remarkable or even memorable about where he is when the spiders come. he doesn't say anything, simply stares down at them from where he's perched on a rock, then steps down and starts walking in the opposite direction that the spiders are heading. he doesn't have fucking time for that.
what he does have time for is to get to work when he starts finding supplies, twisting together a basket from the bendier sticks and leaves he can find. all those times running away as a kid and trying to get by in the woods and shit comes in handy.
by the time anyone stumbles upon him though, he'll be crouched by the stream, basket by his side heaping with still-wriggling crawdads. he's in the middle of tossing another one into it before he looks up at anyone approaching, then jabs a thumb down at the pile. ]
Welcome t'some if y'want 'em, but cook 'em first or you'll get fuckin' brain worms.
[ not even a hello. there's a small pile of fire supplies nearby, and another basket that's lined with leaves and looks like, if kept full of enough water that it doesn't catch flame, it could be used to boil something in.
he's absolutely covered in scars from head to toe, including a real solid through-and-through the center of his chest that says more than his mouth does. ]
sometimes you should play nice.
[ ages ago, dirk might've hopped the walls or tried to shank a guard to get into the town. it's not ages ago though, and he steps into the town like it's a normal day and nothing is wrong. his expression is impassive but sharp; he doesn't have his shades to cover his eyes here, at least not yet.
he might've stolen clothes before too, but fuck it, he can put on the charm and see what it gets him.
what it gets him: a pair of shorts that don't so much as hit mid-thigh and a pair of round, dark glasses after he'd oh so casually mentioned his failing eyesight to one of the townspeople. he softens the look with a draped scarf on top, but it's fine. not like he has any modesty, it was more the concept of running around with his dick out like a jiggling smuppet nose that was bugging him.
there's a mark on his left bicep that may as well brand him but he's not sure yet what it means and he's not in the mood to ask directly to find out. so he ends up seated in a chair like he's on a massage table, listening to people's chatter as he lets some young thing drip elegant whorls of wax all along his back.
should someone walk by even a smidge too fast though, he'll reach out and snatch their wrist with a gentle tug and a low drawl. ]
If y'want t'figure things out, take a seat. Ain't no rush.
[ he hasn't even lifted his head. ]
misc.
[ i'm open to most things! feel free to pm me or hit me up at
play nice.
His face colors a bit at the sight. Good thing his head is down. )
Is that what you're doing? Figuring things out?
no subject
People're chatterboxes when they're real comfy. Get 'em in an easy routine they enjoy and they'll talk 'bout anythin'. Prob'ly answer most questions y'got.
no subject
( Ko hesitates a little, before deciding that wax pouring on his back and hearing what those around him have to say might not be a bad idea. Especially that latter part.
Knowledge is power, etc.
He gets into the chair and, similarly to Dirk, there's a splash of wax at his back. He tenses; his breath hitches, a little gasp in his throat. )
... What have you learned so far?
no subject
he considers the question a long moment before he replies; it feels a little like getting him to talk is like pulling teeth but he's making an effort. ]
These, [ he pats the mark on his arm ] everybody's got 'em, even folks born here. Got a lot t'do with balance. Y'got shit like this that's 'bout prayin' via fuckin', then th'counterbalance is the, uh, prayin' via fightin', for lack've a better term.
no subject
He's silent for a few beats. )
Have you learned anything else ab—ah!
( The noise he makes edges into a whimper at the wax on his lower back, but he relaxes again. )
... About these marks? They're unsettling ...
play nice
Like snooping around the town!
He's on his way to go check out something else, or maybe contemplate a way to break into the castle like a normal person, you know, when Dirk reaches out to grab him.
He stops and looks, surprised. ]
Take a seat…?
no subject
totally normal person activities, breaking and entering. maybe breaking a pot or two.
at the question he hums assent before pointing to a nearby chair. ]
Stories on stories 'bout this place if y'just listen while they work.
no subject
In the meantime, he keeps ideas of breaking into a castle to himself, especially here around so many of the local people.
But maybe Bro is onto something? Link doesn't sit yet, but he at least pauses. He's too impatient to sit around and listen for things, generally, preferring to just go off and do something ill-advised first, but maybe... ]
What have you heard?
no subject
it's a good question though, what he's heard.
he turns his head just enough to look at link, pale orange eyes half slitted, and speaks quiet. ]
S'not all wine 'n roses. There's always th'other shoe t'drop, right? I haven't gleaned near all of it yet, but there's a mighty big focus on succumbin' t'carnal urges whether they be good or bad. Afore they get 'outta hand.' [ yes, he does finger quotes. ]
no subject
Link tries not to stare, but Dirk doesn't really look like anyone else he's seen. And he's been kind of half feral for awhile so manners...aren't his strongest suit.
At least he finally sits down. ]
Carnal urges?
[ He's not totally naive but what he thinks of first is violence. That still might be true; what do they know about it yet? But then there's the whole nudity thing, the clothing style...but that's a little much, right? ]
Is this place under a curse?
no subject
[ he's still looking at link, and he's honestly not offended by the staring. feral knows feral and boy was dirk feral for a long time. the jury's still out on whether he still is or not.
he finally just sighs, resting his cheek on the way his arms are crossed in front of him. ]
Could be. Wouldn't be surprised. Seems similar to the idea of appeasin' the gods t'make sure the harvest grows 'n all, but the consequences are a lot worse.
no subject
What do you think happens if we don't go along with it?
[ He's already thinking of resisting, but only by trying to find the source of what he perceives as a curse. He's used to fighting things, even things that seem intangible. Surely they can fight whatever has caused this.
Ironic, in a way. Fighting is part of what those urges are about, and it's still his first instinct. He's being played and doesn't even know it. ]