strangerpeople: (Default)
The Fifteen Strangers Mods ([personal profile] strangerpeople) wrote in [community profile] notasstrange2019-06-23 07:54 pm
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ROUND 5 MODIFIED TEST DRIVE

15 STRANGERS ROUND 5
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:

  • A full mostly-unique-to-the-TDM map! Yup, you guys get a slightly different map from Round 5, just for this Test Drive!
  • A unique TDM-only NPC! Yup! This NPC will only appear in here for your NPC needs! Though how helpful they are is debatable...
  • One item per character/Item prompt! You have the choice of having your character will find that one de-powered item has come with them!...somewhere on the train. Use this item to your advantage for the prompts below!

And with that, welcome...to the HML Vespertine!


THE SETTING

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.


LOUNGE



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!


APARTMENT CABINS




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.


DINING CARS




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!


ARMAMENTS CAR




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?


LOCOMOTIVE CAR




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?


THE PROMPTS


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!
zackthekiller: (The whole wide world's coming after you)

[personal profile] zackthekiller 2019-06-25 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
... Yeeeeah. Great.

[There goes his good mood. Again.] This is fucking great. I finally get to see you again, and we're on a murder train.

[Uh... It doesn't seem like he remembers what happened after he got murdered by the magical girl killer.] Is this what Hell's supposed to be like?
telecosmetic: (hmm...)

[personal profile] telecosmetic 2019-06-25 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Then again, "finally" could also apply to the simple fact that Eliza has been in the Meadous for two years, so she doesn't quite realize the implications yet.]

I think it's supposed to be darker. And have less tasty food.
zackthekiller: (And my teeth may be sharp)

[personal profile] zackthekiller 2019-06-25 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Zack has no idea she's been in the Meadous at all. Huzzah for no context.]

... Oh, right. And there's supposed to be fire and demons everywhere. [He scoffs, resting his chin on his hand and leaning into the table.]

You think they'll let us share a room? I'm not letting anyone kill you again while I'm still around.
telecosmetic: (oh!)

[personal profile] telecosmetic 2019-06-25 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
Well...the rules just say we can only sleep in bedrooms or the lounge. Nothing about which bedrooms we need to sleep in. So I'm pretty sure that'd be fine. [She smiles, looking touched at his comment about wanting to protect her.] Thanks, big bro.
zackthekiller: (You can see it in my smile)

[personal profile] zackthekiller 2019-06-25 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
... [A soft smile at that.] Heh. No problem, sis.

You hungry too? This restaurant thing is loaded with good shit!
telecosmetic: (happy)

[personal profile] telecosmetic 2019-06-25 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
[She nods.] Yeah, I've been trying a bit of everything. A bunch of it tastes too fancy for me, though. I think I'm gonna try making something myself downstairs later on.
zackthekiller: (... Gross)

[personal profile] zackthekiller 2019-06-25 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
You're serious?

[He has no idea of what too fancy is. Anything is better than fast food and Coca Cola in Cheerios.]
telecosmetic: (shrug)

[personal profile] telecosmetic 2019-06-25 03:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[She giggles, looking a bit embarrassed.] Yeah...I think I kind of just got used to simpler food while I was in the Meadous.
zackthekiller: (Wait what)

[personal profile] zackthekiller 2019-06-26 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
... You were in the what now?

[He has. No idea.]
telecosmetic: (oh...)

[personal profile] telecosmetic 2019-07-06 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[She blinks, looking worried.] The Meadous? I've been there for the last two years! [She's 15 now, after all, and one and a half inches taller. Not to mention the newly pierced ears and the scar on her cheek.] You showed up a few times too, when Zephyr was doing dream-sharing stuff and that virtual game!
zackthekiller: (Oh Lazarus... Why you so afraid?)

[personal profile] zackthekiller 2019-07-08 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
[... He hadn't really taken that much into account... Or maybe he hadn't paid close enough attention. Either way, he's staring at her like a deer in the headlights.]

Uh... Sorry, I don't remember any of that shit at all. [What the hell? He was sure this was the same girl he tried to avenge in Town A. And she isn't a...]

Wait... Wait. Did this place pull some sort of time fuckery or something? Like that M bitch bringing Mia from the future back in Magical Girl Hell?
telecosmetic: (I've got a theory)

[personal profile] telecosmetic 2019-07-09 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[Eliza blnks slowly.] May...maybe? Or...maybe it's messing with our memories somehow? [Now that she thinks about it, she does have a few holes in there...]

But-but even if it is, I'll do my best to tell you about what I remember! Even if it is a lot...