TDM #1

[fabulists]

fable test drive meme #1

// away with the fairies

In your land, there may be stories of the Fae taking people away. Perhaps you haven't heard of the Fae at all, or perhaps you are more familiar with them than others. No matter how well acquainted you are with the Fae, everyone around you has experienced the same fate tonight: Being taken by them. Partially, at least. For they did not want to kidnap anyone from their home and take them away from the life they knew. In a small jar of fairy dust, part of your soul was taken in the night and brought to a magical village by the name of Fable.

On arrival, the Fae release you from the jar before waving their magic wands, and materialise this taken little part of you into a brand new you. From here onwards, your new life begins, shared among magical creatures from all walks of life. Here, you will be allowed to grow, thrive and enjoy the bounties provided to you by these mysterious and wonderful creatures. In exchange, they ask for a share of the magical fruit that you grow in your garden, in order for their dragon overseer to reclaim his own magic and find his missing siblings. After a briefing on your new life, you understand things as best as you possibly can. Now, it's time to settle into a brand new cottagecore life.

Welcome to Fable.

// arrival

Now that you are a resident of Fable, you have a brand new cottage, a garden, and a few tools to use! There's not an awful lot in your cottage, though: Just a cardboard box, a lamp, a cassette tape and a single bed. Fortunately, though, it seems that your kitchen is stocked with ingredients. Enough to make a pie, at least! Most of the village shops are currently closed due to the bad weather, so it seems like socialising with your neighbours might be your best shot at finding something to do.

Something sparkly catches your attention before you realise it's a message board, advertising an array of tasks for bonus fruit. Did this thing appear out of nowhere just now? That must be the case, since you can swear it wasn't there a second ago. Perhaps the board will urge you to find some fellow people who are in a similar situation as you. The cold weather might inspire you to go fishing in the river canals, have a snowball fight, make warm drinks for people, get active in the kitchen or go sledding!

Or, just ... do whatever you want! This is your magical home now, might as well make the most of it!

snowfolk!

// do you wanna build a snowman?

While wandering through the village, you suddenly hear a voice appear out of nowhere. "Help ..." The voice speaks, rather ominously, which might alarm you. "Turn around ..." It says again, which may send shivers down your spine that aren't related to the cold. "Now, come closer. No, closer. Closer!" Jeez! You know this place is filled with magical creatures, but what on earth is taunting you at the moment? You can't see anything! There's just a Snowman in front of you.

"Hello." Wait, did that Snowman just--? "I am a Snowman." He did. He talked to you.

"I am lonely. Please build me some friends." Well, it's not like you have anything better to do ... "I will give you a reward if you do. Come to me when you have built, and I will give you a reward." Seems simple enough. You almost walk away to get started, until--

"HOLD IT!" He yells, very loudly for a Snowman. "You must use teamwork to build a Snowperson. The best Snowpeople are made with friends. Find a friend and build a Snowperson for me. Thank you."

Well, there you have it! You have been tasked with finding someone to build a Snowperson with. And of course, because these Snowfolk are magic, they're going to be quite particular about how they want to be built. They may berate you and act fussy during the process. You must divide the work between you and your acquaintance in order to complete your Snowperson. Get creative with hats, scarves, shapes, face designs - and whatever else you think the Snowperson should have!

Your final result will produce either an immaculate (or terrible) Snowtyke, Snowboy, Snowmam or Snowman who will reward you both with a random piece of winter furniture and an extra surprise!

Once you both feel satisfied with your Snowperson,
Please reply to this thread here in order to claim the rewards! Have fun!

the aurora ball

// ballad of the northern lights

In Finnish mythology, it is believed that the Northern Lights (Revontulet) are the creation of a fox who runs across the night sky. In Fable, this very same fox is the one responsible for the Northern Lights of their skies - and while he spends a lot of his time away from the realm to decorate the skies of many other places, he returns every Winter for a fantastic show (and incredible party!)

To celebrate his return, Fable's residents gather in Skáld to host a ball and have a big party beneath the lights. And you have been invited! No need to worry about travel - with your magical invitation, you can be poofed there in an instant! In an act of generosity, the Fox of the Northern Lights has temporarily given you a dose of his magic in order for you to join in the fun! While the party is ongoing, you will have a glowing pair of aurora wings which allow flight, a dazzling new outfit, an immunity to the cold, and the ability to create aurora streaks in the sky!

// the aurora ball

The moment you accept the invitation and arrive in Skáld, the magical effects from the Aurora Fox will activate! Shimmering sparkles will envelope you before you find yourself wearing a brand new outfit and accessories for the evening, and they really are very sparkly! Your floating aurora wings spawn behind you in any colour, and just like that, you're ready for the party! Don't worry about the outfit you were wearing prior to this, it has been transported back to your wardrobe in your cottage. With magic, of course!

The party runs for a few days, and it's a lot bigger than you imagined. Just how many mythological creatures are attending? You and the otherwordly attendees will be staying in a nearby wooden lodge that has been upscaled with magic in order to accommodate its large guests. The lodge has spacious rooms, complimentary meals, and even a heated outdoor pool!

The party itself takes place on a mountain adjacent to the lodge with an outdoor ballroom, Troll DJs playing through the night (with both upbeat and slow music), a bonfire, a food buffet and a bar!

Fancy a drink? There are cocktails and mocktails being served all night by the Troll bartenders! Who knew Trolls were so good at mixing drinks? Cocktails and mocktails are exactly the same in taste, except mocktails don't have any alcohol in them. If your character doesn't like to drink, they can still enjoy the tasty beverage without getting drunk!

Regardless of alcohol content, however, each drink will have a funny effect on the person consuming it.
Pink Pixie will make people feel more flirty and sensual, Minty Manticore will make people hyperactive and chatty, Blue Bunyip will give them a case of the blues by inspiring a little bit of sadness, and Purple Pegasus will make them sentimental and emotional.

Welcome to Fable's first TDM!
We're excited to have you here, and hope you enjoy the prompts!
To familiarise yourself with the setting, please take a look at the arrivals & premise page!
We would also appreciate it if you could have a look at the rules as well.
As a general note, the TDMs are considered game canon!
Which means all rewards for fruit & furniture can be used in the game if you apply!

New arrivals have a cottage, a network device, the clothes on their back and a single item from home.
To view the locations, NPCs and more information about the game, please visit our full navigation!

If you have any questions that you have not seen answered in the FAQ, please ask in the FAQ post. Thank you!

(CODE)

Comments

[inceptor]

[ Leave it to the Traveler to be incapable of leaving him alone. Or maybe it’s that Wanderer is feeling a bit touchy at the sudden realization that he’s been watched without realizing it, at least long enough for Aether to witness that exchange. If he held off approaching just another moment, there would more than likely be some serious snowman carnage before them.

Which is probably why he chose to approach when he did. Wanderer’s mouth pulls to one side, his expression flat - this is hardly the turn of events he was looking for, even if Aether is sharp enough to appeal to his sense of pride. ]

Who said anything about giving up?

[ And now he can’t, without admitting he was defeated by a snowman. Well played. ]

I’m capable of building another one on my own.

[ Still ignoring the assignment… ]

[descender]

[Should he really state the obvious? He has to contain a laugh, but a smile passes on his face, as could easily imagine Wanderer stomping on the poor snowperson. Wanderer is one of the hardest people to understand, but moments where he just watches and listens like this, he gains a surprising amount of insight.]

Oh nothing. Clearly not you looking like you were going to stomp a poor snowchild into the ground. [It's time like these where he uses humor against such defensiveness.] I know you're capable, and I see it, but that you're missing one of the conditions of the task.

[They've worked together, but even he knows that 'working together' is very loose and mostly under the supervision of Nahida.] We've worked together before and I won't get in your way.

[inceptor]

[ It may be the case that he missed a vital part of the task, but he is still tempted to just leave it like this, already having given over more time and attention than he cares to admit. But again, that would be backing down, and even with something as trivial as this, he doesn't like the idea of leaving work half-done.

Still, he can't make the decision seem easy. It must be hard won for Aether, of course. ]

Only under duress. Didn't I tell you I hoped not to see you for awhile?

[ As if it's somehow Aether's fault that he's here, and as if he wouldn't have also found a reason to be angry if the Traveler had decided to avoid him, instead. It doesn't have to be logical. ]

Besides, as far as I'm concerned, my work is done. Build a companion for my snowman if you wish. I won't stop you.

[ Surely, that will still count, right...? ]

[descender]

[Wanderer has proven to be truly frustrating at points, and it's at Nahida's request he's been more lenient than he initially ever thought he could be. Thing are still... extremely complicated to put it in the simplest terms, but there's no pressure to rush things. After all, Wanderer told him to take his time and figure things out.]

From a snowman? [He'll just hold back amusement enough. Wanderer is probably frustrated enough and Aether doesn't want to push it. He has a way to go to understanding him, but he's starting to better manage Wanderer's fickle temperament.] I didn't ask to come here and I don't think you did either so let's make do with both our situations.

[At his "permission", Aether starts to build a very small snowperson next to one already created. Even if small, the proportions are correct. Aether even gives the little snowperson an eyes and a smile.] There, a little snow doll for them to play with together.

[inceptor]

[ No, neither of them asked to come here, and Wanderer can figure that Aether is no more pleased about it than he is. However, he doesn't like to make a habit out of drawing points of commonality between them - that comes a little too close to "understanding".

He's not here to make friends, et cetera.

He is here, in this present situation, to earn a reward for building snowpeople, and he's in too far to simply leave and let Aether reap all the reward from his "hard" work. ]

Not much of a doll. [ JUDGMENTAL, as he crouches down to peer at the creation. ] You should have left that to me.

[ ...Which would have defeated the purpose. ]

Will they even be able to play with it? They don't have arms.

[descender]

[When it comes to Wanderer, it seems he is fickle to please. He will comment when he is displeased and when he's not, he does not say anything. That sort of personality isn't the most welcoming and inviting, but Aether still perseveres.]

You made the others, and it's supposed to be a team effort. [He knows his little snow-doll is plenty fine.]

Why don't we find some twigs or tree branches? That can work as the arms. [He stands up, seeing if there are any sort of trees they could go to. Not too far are some that are covered in snow. He points to them.] There's a tree over there. We can collect branches from there.

[inceptor]

[ …Of course he’s taking his comment as a means for initiative. He shouldn’t have said anything about the lack of arms. He could walk away, offering no explanation because he doesn’t owe one. As far as he is concerned, his work here is done.

Yet he doesn’t, instead starting towards the tree Aether points out with a huff. He just…wants to see this thing through, now. ]

Tch. Not bad. I was just about to point out that one.

[ He wasn’t, but he reaches up to snap off some branches all the same, some snow sloughing off onto the brim of his hat. ]

[descender]

[While Wanderer still is confusing to him in some ways, he's starting to see a little pattern in his behavior. He's come to learn about him through actions and just not words alone. For someone who just wanted him to finish things, him taking part does say something. Aether won't point that out as he has a feeling letting the other believe he's in charge will make working together easier. It's just snowman building after all so let him enjoy it.

He follows along behind him, looking at their surroundings. He watches him get right to it. He notices a few a stones that could be used as eyes so he goes to pick those up. There's even one lost button that they could use.]

I found some stones for eyes. Did you get enough branches?

[inceptor]

[ A wise move, Aether - so long as his implicit cooperation isn't pointed out, Wanderer seems content for the moment to continue on, scrutinizing several branches before selecting some that seem suitable as arms. ]

Of course I did. I can handle picking up a few measly branches. What else do we need?

[ He is still...not overly familiar with making snowpeople to begin with. He knows there's an element of making it look dressed up, but will arms and buttons be good enough for their oh-so-lofty standards? ]

[descender]

[At his question, he briefly stops to think and look around. They can use the branches to make arms and even mouths if they break things up enough. It seems all they need is something for the nose or if they're lucky, any scraps or debris that could be used for accessories or even clothing.]

We need something for noses, and if you see anything that could be used as clothing or accessories, that would be good too.

[He wanders around, but keeps nearby to Wanderer. He finds some acorns and even some pinecones. He wonders if there's anything else buried in the snow. He did find a button so there could be plenty more things.]

[inceptor]

[ Noses, clothing and accessories…that should be easy enough.

In fact, Wanderer starts to wind the scarf he’s wearing from around his own neck, before beginning to wind it around the snowman instead. It’s not like he really needs it, so why not? ]

How childish…

[ He complains, even while adjusting the scarf to make sure it settles correctly, before turning his attention to finding anything else that could be used as an accessory. There’s something that looks like a discarded paper plate - maybe that can work as a hat? ]

[descender]

[The contrasting between his words and what he does is a recurring theme he's learned. He could point it out, but maybe this is Wanderer's way of exploring and experiencing the more mundane things in life. Making snow people might be considered childish, but what's so bad about it?]

That'll keep them warm.

[Aether uses the acorns as eyes and the pinecone as a nose. He uses his finger to draw a smiling face.]

Anything else? Maybe a hat? [Because hey, the two of them could match.]

[inceptor]

[ Why not? This plate isn't going to get used for anything else, so with a nod, Wanderer steps up to set the plate on top of the snowman's head. It's even blue - they really do match.

Standing back, he hums thoughtfully as he gives their snowboy an appraising look. ]

Hm...one more thing.

[ Extending a hand to the snowboy, Wanderer draws the shape of a heart in his chest. ]

There. It's done.