rubimemes | TEST DRIVE MEME 001

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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

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.

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I know my things aren't here. That usually means someone else has them.

[ alright, maybe the robbing part wasn't essential, but it still happened and he's quite annoyed about it. he's supposed to be the thief here, so it's also a matter of professional pride. ]

Unless the spiders ate them.

[ Felipe swats a branch out of their way. taking his anger out on the stupid forest. ]

The fucking spiders!

[ Enthused to talk shit about this aspect of their forest adventure. ]

Why were there so many! You'd think they'd just eat each other instead of coming for us.

I don't know. [ he nearly shudders when he thinks about it. there were thousands of them. ] If you were a spider, would you rather eat someone absolutely repulsive with thin hairy legs or go find a man with some meat on him?

[ at this he gestures at the both of them. let's take this awful experience and turn it into a moment of selfcare. they're a couple of hot dudes in a forest. who wouldn't want a piece of them? ]

[ That makes John laugh, at least - he's like, unjustifiably confident in his average-ass body just because he's lived in it so long, and he definitely agrees Felipe is hot. ]

Persuasive. Spiders can't resist this cake. Hope there's nothing bigger than that out here.

[ Since he can handle the spiders but isn't sure what his limits are right now. ]

Maybe we should be scavenging — you got any talent with a weapon?

Don't say that out loud.

[ jesus christ it's like the number one rule for those lost in a dark forest. don't jinx it. Felipe makes a face, wishing he hadn't even heard that. ]

I'm pretty good. Why, you got a weapon? [ he used a stick when the spiders first attacked, but soon it was covered in them and he got rid of it. ]

I could make you a blade. Depends on your fancy. Maybe a dagger?

[ Just because that's nice and small, won't take too much effort. The problem isn't getting the bone — there's plenty in this forest beneath the litter, though less as they travel away from the spiders, something that's been unconsciously guiding him. And of course every good necromancer has their own skeleton in a pinch. But John's been worrying about his power, how much he has, how much he doesn't. Extending and multiplying bone takes a bit more than simply shaping it. ]

I've never been much good in a fight. I like fencing, sure, but just recreationally. Swords look cool.

Mm, sure. A dagger would be brilliant.

[ that's exactly his brand, but also too good to be true. how does one make anything in this forest? there's some doubt in his voice as Felipe looks him over once again. other than the weird eyes, he doesn't know if the stranger has powers or what they are. it could be anything.

if the dagger comes out of his eye, he's getting the hell out of here. back to the spiders, even. ]

What are you, a blacksmith? [ now that his imagination is running wild, he's starting to feel a little hesitant. the magic users back home never bothered him, although he was never too friendly with them either. there's simply been enough surprises for one day. ]

[ Apologies in advance to poor Felipe: the blade does not emerge from John's eye, but he stops for a moment, forages around until he can find old bones in the soil to pull — they're animal, he thinks, but he isn't a palaeontologist.

He also isn't a blacksmith. So what he draws from the ground is a fairly formless mass made up of decomposing proteins and calcium, and then it's easy enough to shape that into the kind of shape bones like to be, long and thin and hollow. From there? His expertise starts to show holes, but there's a sharp edge and a pointy end and a handle. Is it weighted to win a throwing competition? No. Could it slit a man's belly open? Yes.

Though John hopes it goes without saying that what God giveth He can taketh away, since he wouldn't put a weapon in the hands of a stranger if it could be used on him.

It lands blade first in his outstretched palm, and he offers it to Felipe, concentration finally giving way with a soft sigh as he takes in how this sort of magic is received. ]

Necromancer, actually.

[ Sounds like a cool rejoinder but keep in mind there was like a full ten minutes where he just focused on bone and didn't say anything, so it isn't. ]

[ Felipe remains quiet. which is special in his case, but John doesn't know that yet. Felipe has never heard of a necromancer (??) before, but he knows of magic and he's seen people use it. this is definitely it and he should be careful. even despite his efforts to unlearn the deep mistrust of magic users people in his world tend to have, it quickly resurfaces when he's faced with the unexpected. like now.

while John worked, he took a step back. even briefly considered leaving the scene, but he was curious to see the end result, so he stayed. besides, the man doesn't seem to mean him any harm. in fact, he's offering Felipe a weapon, something he can use to protect himself – provided that it happens in a way John approves of.

he stares at the finished bone dagger in John's hand. why does this feel like a deal with the devil -sort of a situation if he takes the gift? he doesn't understand it, but it's clear that the man is powerful. ]

Well. That was not what I expected.

[ slowly, he extends his hand and takes the dagger. ]

What, people don't usually give you a bone knife?

[ The way the guy is staring at him, though, John gets the impression he isn't all that familiar with necromancy. Which is unusual. But they're speaking House (or he thinks they are) so the guy can't just be an alien. ]

You ever heard of Blood of Eden? Nine Houses? How many words in your name?

It's a courting ritual where I come from.

[ he stares at John like he was dumb. none of those things mean anything to him. are they titles? places? ]

What are you talking about?

[ Well, that's a no, then. ]

No? Sorry, trying to figure out why you're surprised by the necromancy. Where I'm from it's pretty standard.

[ Even if he's more powerful than most, "magic" shapes his world, his society. Those that don't use it work alongside it, or for it. It's only the Blood of Eden planets where the culture is staunchly anti-magic, anti-Imperial, and anti-John. ]

And where you're from, I just asked you out?

[ he's heard of magic users forming their own communities in secret. they're usually small groups of people, but they have their own manners and cultures. maybe this is it? ]

We're practically married.

[ no. what could be more romantic than a blade formed out of dirty scraps of bone from the ground? Felipe shakes his head, confused and tired. ]

You've never been to Seris, I take it? The capital? [ it would make sense and he wants it to make sense. magic users aren't allowed within the walls of the city. Felipe holds up a hand. ] You can trust me, I won't tell a soul.

The capital of... this region?

[ John's expression is blank. ]

No. I've never even heard of Seris. So either you're very far from home, or I am — but lucky for you it's much more likely to be me.

[ A charming flash of teeth that he doesn't really feel, fear flickering in his chest. ]

[ Felipe nods. he's never heard of a dark forest infested with creepy killer spiders before, but it's plausible. he decides to ignore the fact that John has never even heard of Seris – the guy must have lived under a rock with his bones. ]

I'm sorry.

[ magic users are captured and taken from their homes all the time. ]

Was there anyone else with you? Were you attacked?

Oh, no. No, no.

[ John has both hands held up, palms out, gesturing further no as he tries to clear up this misunderstanding. ]

Nothing attacked me. I mean, except the spiders. Got a bit of a gap in my memory before that... but no, I haven't been kidnapped. Idea's ludicrous.

[ "ludicrous"? Felipe raises his brows, trying to keep up. ]

Well, it's the same for me. Can't remember a thing. I'm thinking it was something in my drink...

[ his voice trails off because he's not actually sure how that would make any sense. he was with his own people at the time. none of them had any reason to drug him and dump him in a strange forest. ]

But I've heard stories. Organized groups who kidnap people like you.

People like me?

[ John practically snorts, more amused than offended. ]

Mate, there is no-one like me. Unless you mean 'cuz I'm brown.

[ Which, he knew racism was a thing growing up, but nobody in his empire cares about stuff like that. ]

No, your powers.

[ Felipe looks like he doesn't even know where to start because he can't believe he has to actually explain this to someone. ]

I know others. [ he tries another angle – in case it's just John being extra careful. ] People who can use magic. You aren't alone.

[ look, he's an ally okay. ]

[ That has John's brows shooting straight up. ]

Yeah, there's a lot of us. Does the name John Gaius ring any bells? The Necrolord Prime? Vindicator of Death? First Reborn?

[ He has a lot of titles. ]

[ who's that? some foreign lord? Felipe's confusion deepens. ]

Is there any reason why I should know who those people are?

Most people do, is all. They're all one guy — the magical guy in charge. If you're not familiar, we're from vastly different places. Worlds apart, yeah?

[ Galaxies apart, even. ]

Yeah, sounds like we come from different backgrounds. Is he your leader as well?

[ it isn't necessarily that he's thick (which he is), but he simply can't wrap his brain around a world where the leader is someone who knows magic. ]

He's me.

[ John offers a handshake, cheerful. ]

John Gaius. Emperor of a galaxy far far away. And now we're practically married?

[ A flirty little glance. ]

I could do worse.

[ that's flattering and all but. Felipe stares at the hand before he takes it. a firm handshake despite his hesitance. ]

And I married up, apparently. High up.

[ an emperor, huh? there's still a small part of him that thinks John is lying, but at least he got a cool knife out of it. ]

(no subject)

unconscionable - 2023-06-12 06:21 (UTC) - Expand

it's good there i think!

ludomania - 2023-06-15 17:59 (UTC) - Expand

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