The Fifteen Strangers Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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notasstrange2019-06-23 07:54 pm
strangerpeople) wrote in notasstrange2019-06-23 07:54 pm
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ROUND 5 MODIFIED TEST DRIVE
MODIFIED TEST DRIVE MEME
That's right! It's that time again, for a new mock...test...moctesdriek...Modified Test Drive Meme!
Wait, what? I hear you ask. Why not just have a mock week and a test drive? Well, there is a reason, and...well, we were thinking about making a mock week, but unfortunately we realized a full mock week would unfortunately be impossible to make properly in the limited time we have. So, we have a this instead, a test drive with modifications that come from a mock week, including:
So to start, the OoC FAQ page for Round 5 can be applied on the whole to this Modified TDM. We also have a few other things to point out for this Modified TDM:
|
And with that, welcome...to the HML Vespertine!
There are 15 strangers in this place. Someone knows why. And its clear the odds are stacked against you. Also, you're on a train. Choo choo.  |
Yes, you are looking at this right. But this train is more than just a mere train. This is the pride and luxury of a nation. This is state of the art, especially for a train that looks to be from the turn of the century, with gold trim striped by black, wood paneling, velvet plush chairs, and nary a bump as they ride along. However, there are strange signs and anachronisms of a more futuristic civilization that lurk within the inner workings of the train. The few phones in the train are more akin to what one would find in a modern office, the bedding in the cabins are memory foam, flat screen televisions dot the lounge, and a rudimentary network of a sort exists to print things from special cuffs that can also take rudimentary, and tiny, instant photos. The entire train is also powered by electricity.
Every train window is fitted with thick, color-stained windows, which seems to block the light from outside, giving inside of the train a purple-red glow when the lights are out. It also makes it difficult, if not impossible, to figure out what is flying past outside.
Hence, it is a luxurious prison, but for the Strangers, it is still a prison. And who knows where it's taking them...and what might await them when they get there.
The lounge is the caboose of the train, and what a caboose it is. It is akin to a sitting room in a mansion, with soft, plush, velvet chairs, couches and chaise lounges, decorated with crocheted pillows. Flat televisions dot the room, which can be summoned from or hidden behind the panels with a single button. Likewise, a great theater screen and projector can be summoned through sliding wood panels, though the movies for both TV and projector are all silly romantic comedies, and all in black and white. Likewise, the few books that are on the shelves are the most banal works that could be found in English, and those that could be considered classics seem...different. Truncated, even.
And let's not talk about the records for the gramophone. They are all classical, and a majority of the work is German and English from the turn of the century and before. Though some sound weirdly familiar...but, at least there's complimentary booze and cigars! Though not all varieties of alcohol are available for some reason, but hey! Free alcohol and deathsticks!
These are first-class rooms, with memory foam beds and soft pillows. Every room has a dresser set that also conceals a television and phonograph within. There is turn-down service every evening on beds. No mints on the pillow, but there is a complimentary tea set with leaves that are refurbished each day for everyone's personal tea needs.
Oh, and the good news: you also get complimentary towels, because there is a shower here! The bad news is that it's a communal stall at the end of the hall, and the hot water tends to run out quickly if people don't get there early enough. Bummer.
The dining car has two levels-first-class and second class. And wow there is a difference. Not that the second-class car is bad, on the contrary. Though the meals aren't as sumptuous as they are upstairs, it's still incredibly good, and something you'd get at a hotel. The mess on this level also tends to be open all the time for cooking, so if anyone wants to make food, it would be best to do it here. Just remember the meal times, especially if anyone wants someone to cook for them so they don't have to!
Up a spiral staircase in the dining car is the first-class dining-and you can see the difference immediately. The first-class level is luxury itself, with each table appointed with linen tablecloths, napkins, and sumptuous plush chairs to settle into as you eat. And these dishes, brought out from a full kitchen, aren't just amazing, they are three course banquets fit for a royal, and an amazing tea service that is second to none. They are also only served at appointed times, so if you want to have any of this unbelievably delicious-albeit somewhat exotic, as the menus will show-food, you're going to have to get to the car on time!
What? It's perfectly normal to have giant shooty shooty weapons of death in plain view for passengers (well, ok, behind movable wood panels and with slides on the floor to move them to their respective windows, but still) to use! The only downside is that these guns point outwards, so if anyone wants to use them, they will have to wait until their victim is outside the train. Though, it doesn't look like you're going to be let outside of the train, so boooo, what's the point!?
The weapons are:
B - A machine gun! Pew pew pew! Unfortunately, this thing doesn't have much range, and gets really hot, really fast. Ten shots in and you could fry an egg on the barrel.
Z - This weapon pops mines out of it and to the outside world! Which is pretty handy, especially if you need to have a timed attack. Just aim and shoot, and wait a few seconds for the fireworks to begin! Just, you know, don't walk over the mine yourself.
V - This weapon looks like a sniping contraption. It's got a good range, and you could probably aim it pretty far. And-if you're looking to cause some trouble-fire it and get the hell out of Dodge before anyone comes back to look for you.
T - Uh...this weapon is a chain gun that shoots out...explosive...glass bullets. And...really, that should be enough to know that anyone who is wielding this weapon is not messing around.
W -This weapon is-well, we don't know, because no one is allowed to use it except the Conductor. No one can even move it. Given how terrifying some of the other weapons are, just what the hell kind of weapon could this be if no one is even allowed to touch it?
There are several rooms that are accessible in this car, strangely enough. Not all of them. The bridge is especially cut off to you, so don't bother trying to get in.
But you know it's there.
Engine Room - Yeah, no one's allowed in here except for crew. And just to make doubly sure, there's actually a card reader that you have to have a card for to access this place. How does this place have the technology for card readers!?
Conductor's Cabin - Of course she gets the best cabin in the whole train. And of course, she's not going to let you in unless you have a really good reason. What, do you think her having an office is just a suggestion? Don't be so crass!
Office - Well...ok, this is odd. This is a decidedly more modern-looking room than any of the others. Despite the fact that it looks utterly out of place with most of what's on the train. True, you can schedule a visit or just hop in quick to talk to the Conductor, but seriously, what the hell is going on?
 1. ARRIVAL Well, it seems you have awoken on a train. Why are you here? What happened to your powers? Your memories? Who else has been so unlucky as to be brought in with you? What are you wearing? What are these strange rules? And--where is the Conductor, anyways? 2. POWER You have been, er, "blessed" with a power. Its not a power you want or care for, but its yours now. You might want to try an control it, lest you hurt someone else. That is...unless you want to. Or, hey, go ahead and blow things up - as long as you clean up. 3. HOME So now you live on a train! Maybe living here forever won't be so bad, since there are things to do with your free time. Unless you're looking for a way out, but surely, you wouldn't do that, right? You should read a book! Or or play a game! Or...watch a movie? huh?? 4. FOOD Holy snow crabs the food here is amazing. You know those 12 course meals that are fit for a king? They serve that here! You don't see who is serving you, but...surely...surely they're just invisible. That weird skittering sound is just in your head! 5. YOUR ITEM You know you had an item with you before you woke up here. Probably lots of items, depending. You're going to find it if it's the last thing you do. Or maybe you're already found it, and you want to show off what your item does. Or...hey, someone else has your item! What the heck, they need to give it back! 6. CLUES Oh heeeeell no, you're not taking this whole "you're on a train and everyone's going to kill each other probably" lying down. You're gonna find a way out of here! You're going to search this train from top to bottom until you figure out a way to escape! Who knows...you might find something that could help 7. MOTIVE Oh, great, the Conductor has announced the motive for the week. Clearly someone out there really wants to give you a reason to kill someone else. How will you react? Will you stand against such an insult and help others to fight the temptation? Or perhaps, you yourself are tempted...? 8. DEATH One of your own has died - no, been killed. Definitely killed. The Inquisition has started. The body lies before you, as does the evidence, and now you must discern the truth from the clues before you. But can you when you mourn? Or, perhaps you don't mourn the dead. Perhaps you're only playing along because you know more than you let on. Or maybe you're just a robot. Steampunk as a concept has robots, you never know, it's possible. 9. TRIAL Well, it looks like the Conductor wasn't lying when they said there would be a trial if someone was murdered. So now you're here, in the Lounge, looking to condemn the responsible killer among the smoke of cigars and the stench of booze. If you do figure out the culprit, they die. If you don't, well, you'll end up killing an innocent person, as the Conductor has explained what would happen if the majority votes incorrectly. Whatever happens, you have to figure out what happened. Can you? The clock is ticking! 10. SCAPEGOAT Oh dear...the Conductor just revealed that the person everyone just voted for...was actually completely innocent! Not only that, but they've revealed who the real culprit was! Maybe you're that innocent person, trying to say your goodbyes or beg for your life. Maybe you're one of the ones who voted for the innocent person, trying to cope with the horrible act you've just committed. Or maybe you're the true culprit, who now has to not only deal with an innocent dying for your actions, but also the fact that you can now be killed without repercussion!... 11. WILDCARD Anything not mentioned above. Go wild! |
King - Housepets!
[He just wanted a nice night out. A night where could actually relax instead of stressing about this thing or that. A night where he could watch a movie and be with Bailey and just have a little peace of mind.
Instead? He wakes up in a train car-a very nice train car, but not one he was planning on being in-with no idea on whether or not he’s close to home or if the others are in danger or even just what’s going on-
But! He will...try not to lose his cool. He will not panic or do anything stupid. In fact, he will be leaving the apartment he’s in and walk in the direction he believes the steam engine is, determined to talk with whoever decided to bring him into this.
...it may be hard for some of the others to take him seriously, though, considering he’s a corgi that, somehow, is anthropomorphic, actually 2 feet tall, and he’s still dressed like he just walked out of a steampunk convention.]
5. Please
[So, entire situation is a mess. Stuck on a train, forced to kill each other, and it doesn’t even seem like it involves Pete, Dragon, or Kitsune. He is out of his element for sure.
To make matters worse? They decided to make a freaking game to try and find his wedding ring. His wedding ring. Is nothing sacred anymore?!?
So for quite a bit of the day, he’s just going to be searching the train. Tossing cushions off couches, looking under chairs that he can fit under, even looking around the armaments car. He doesn’t care if it does take him all day. He is not losing his ring.]
8. MMMMMMMMMMMM BAD
[That
That certainly is a corpse
That is in front of him
King is just standing there for a solid minute, staring at the sight in front of him. A dead body. That has a kitchen knife sticking out of its chest.
After standing there like an idiot for so long, King puts his hands over his eyes, grits his his teeth, and lets out a pained sigh.]
Why does this stuff always happen to me...
[Yeah, uh...don’t mind him just panicking a bit as he goes to a corner of the room. It’s perfectly fine.]
5
She does hang back a bit, but only because she doesn't want to startle him too badly when she speaks. Not if he's under a chair.]
Have you - no, nevermind that, would you like me to check what's higher up so you don't have to make a second pass through?
no subject
Ack!
[He rubs at the now sore spot on the top of his head as he looks at her.]
Yeah, I’d...appreciate it. Thanks.
[On the bright side, he doesn’t seem to have any malice towards her! Though he does seem generally annoyed.]
no subject
[It is a rare luxury for her to be The Tall One, and she might be jumping right to climbing on the nearest couch to check the nearest light fixture and panel partly because of that, not just to hide being embarrassed.]
I don't suppose you've come across a diamond ring in your search so far? It's set in silver, not gold, and... well....
[Well, it's a good thing she's focused on tapping on that metal grating to see if anything on the other side rattles, or she'd be blushing. (She is anyway, of course, but being focused lets her think she isn't.)]
no subject
[He’s used to being the small one, so he’s checking where he can; under other chairs, under couches, or between some couch cushions. If he noticed her being embarrassed, he wasn’t really showing it.]
Can’t say I have. Any chance you’ve seen a ring as well? No diamonds, just a gold wedding band.
[And boy! Good thing he’s got a hand searching under the couch, cause he can’t see any sign of her blushing! And if he notices her trailing off, he’s also not seeming bothered by it.]
BAD
He's kind of hoping dogs can read, seeing as he's writing his words on paper.]
I know you're probably not okay. Nobody wants to see a dead body... LMK if you need something.
no subject
well so can most other dogs from his world bUT THAT’S NOT THE POINTHe reads the paper out loud, confused at first, before sighing and handing it back to Amami.]
Yeah, I’m not okay with this. After all, life can’t just be simple for me, can it?!
[One of his eyes twitch, but he rubs at his temple and sighs.]
No, I should probably do something too. We have to figure this out, right?
no subject
Then he nods at the suggestion and begins writing again.]
Someone else is already checking the body. The knife must've been found in one of the kitchens, so maybe we can check the 2nd class dining car?
no subject
He reads the note silently this time before nodding.]
Yeah, that sounds like the most likely place they got it. If we’re lucky, We might find something else useful too.
[He stands up, which...still doesn’t make him look very tall, since he’s actually two feet tall-but that’s not important. He looks up to Amami.]
Lead the way, kid.
no subject
Every so often, he glances behind him, to check on his canine companion...
What is Rantaro gonna find in there when he opens the door...?]
no subject
Opening the door reveal...not much, really. The kitchen looks more or less the same, at least at a first glance.]
Well, someone was tidy.
[And someone is being sarcastic to cope.
Either way, it’s clear that they’re going to need to search harder if they want to find anything useful.]
no subject
Rantaro decides to start looking for the knife block. Because that's generally where knives are kept. He's also gonna pay close attention to the surrounding countertop and the sink while he's searching the places King can't reach.]
no subject
The rest of the counter seems...normal, really. Nothing too off about it or anything.
The sink is...wet? Like, not soaking wet or anything, but the sort of wet it could get when it was used somewhat recently. Other than that, their shouldn’t be anything else to be fo-
Wait, King is sniffing the air. He looks at the sink in confusion.]
Uh, do you smell that?
no subject
He steps back, looking down at the little dog... Before shaking his head. Dogs have better noses than humans, so he gestures towards the sink in question, inviting King to get a closer look.]
no subject
Right, different noses. Forgot about it for a second.
[...that should be something he remembers but?? I guess not???
Either way, with the help of a nearby trash can, he gets himself on the counter. Probably not sanitary to stand on it, but the same can probably be said for using a tool meant for cooking in a murder.
He gets to the sink and takes in a couple good sniffs, trying to assure that he’s not imagining things. When he looks to a bottle at the side of the sink, he can’t help but let out a sigh.]
I think someone washed the dishes. Or...something, at least.
no subject
But yeah, that's getting a nod. Rantaro picks up the bottle King was looking at and tries to get a closer look at it...]
no subject
It’s sort of faint, but I can definitely smell some lemon in this sink, and I’m pretty sure most of us would just use the dish washer if we wanted clean dishes.
[At least that’s where all his dishes have gone so far.
He lets out a sigh and scratches the back of his head as he looks around the kitchen again.]
Not sure why they would’ve done this, though. You got anything?
no subject
He puts the dish soap back and turns around to start opening cabinets. Yes, even the ones under the sink.]
no subject
Nothing...nothing...nothing...
[Rantaro himself won’t find anything out of the ordinary. Just plates and fancy cutlery in the cabinets. Thing that you’d expect to be in there, really.
This might not be the right angle, but at least they’re trying something.]
no subject
no subject
King looks over as well, walking on the counter some more.]
Find anything good?
no subject
no subject
A certain part is circled in pen. It reads, “To disguise the murder weapon, she planted a similar knife on the scene, and took the one used to kill with her. When she was alone, she washed it off thoroughly, making it appear like any other.”]
That...that’s probably important, isn’t it?