Test Drive Meme (TDM) | Opening Event

[islandlifemods]

You wake up in the sand, feeling cold and clammy. You're on an unfamiliar beach. You have no idea how you got here, but judging from the way your damp clothes are clinging to you, you must have washed ashore. Standing up, you'll find yourself in an unfamiliar setting. The beach seems to wrap around what you can only assume is an island, leading up to a jungle. In the distance, you can see the faint beginnings of a path. But turning back to the sea, or what should be the sea, leaves you a little breathless. Yes, the sea is there, but that's not all. You appear to be on a floating island, as the water ends abruptly into the sky. It's not the only floating island, either. There are more nearby, some of them looking vastly different than your own.

How did you get here? You don't know. Your last memories are of a very different place. Perhaps something happened there or maybe nothing seemed amiss. Regardless, you're here now and it appears that you aren't alone. Who are these strangers? Were they the ones that brought you here? Even if you view them with suspicion, they seem just as lost as you are. No one seems to have any answers, so it's up to you to find those answers. Will you do it on your own or will you team up with others to try to find a way back home?

Prompt 1: Following the path

A little ways down the beach, there's a clearly made dirt path that leads into the jungle. It's wide enough that several people can walk side by side along it. If you dare to follow it, it'll take you through the jungle a ways, before bring you to a large clearing. In the center of the clearing is a plaza, surrounded by tree houses and other little huts and homes. It appears to be a village.

Upon closer inspection, you find that some of the houses have damage. Some looks like they were attacked by weapons, while a few on the edges, closest to the jungle, appear to have deep claw marks in the wood. What could have happened here? Still, this is a good start, right? There's signs of life, so you must not be alone here. Yet, while there's food and light on in the houses, they all appear empty. Was this place recently abandoned? What could have possibly happened here?

Prompt 2: Walk around the island

Walking along the beach will lead you to one of two different remains of a bridge. It's broken down and appears to have been abandoned. Unlike the village, this doesn't seem to have happened recently, but instead, over time from neglect. It's a mystery what these bridges lead to but there sure are a lot of materials near them. Maybe you should collect them, just in case?

Whether you're interested in repairing the bridges or not, it's clear that you won't be able to do so right away. Instead, you'll find that it's better to keep moving. And, on nearly the other side of the island, you find a strange little structure. There are a couple stone lanterns leading up to the small structure, which appears to be..a shrine? What's it doing here, on the beach? It also appears neglected and in need of repair. And more than that, the little door to the shrine is open, revealing that whatever was inside is now missing. How strange...

Prompt 3: Into the Jungle

Heading into the jungle to explore and figure things out might seem like the best course of action, but it's hard than it appears. The overgrowth is thick and without something to cut the plants out of the way, it'll be easy to find yourself unable to press forward. However, pressing forward has it's own dangers. Without knowing anything about this place, there's no telling what kind of plants or creatures you might find within. And if you're not careful, those who travel inside might find that they will have vastly different experiences from each other.

Note: While you'll be able to explore a small portion of the forest, regardless of the method you chose, you'll find that you can't make it very into it. You'll either feel increasing levels of discomfort the further you go in or you'll find certain areas are completely inaccessible, as though a barrier is preventing you from going any further.

Opening Event

Comments

Trinity Hebrews | OC

[bitesoutcrime]

i. Waking Up

[ Finding himself on an island was very unusual for the vampire. He didn't typically leave his area very often and a vacation was unheard of. Nor was it likely that he was kidnapped, as he typically was much stronger than expected. However, it was undeniable that he was hear now, that his clothes were damp so that he likely had come from the ocean. The smell of brine, the gritty feel of sand, the clear scent of the air, untainted by any form of pollution, were all strange to his senses.

Picking himself up, he took care in gently brushing himself off. He did so hate mess. A look around revealed what he already expected. None of his surroundings looked familiar. However, as he glanced back at the sea, his breath caught in his throat, forming a small knot. He wasn't expecting the water to end abruptly into the air. Something tightened in his chest and the first inklings of fear crept over him. Whoever could create such a land, an island and ocean in the sky, was far above whatever capabilities he had. Suddenly, he felt very small and insignificant in this place. What could he possibly do against such a being? He was strong, that much was true, but not strong enough to battle or threaten such a creature or being.

With a sigh, he turned away from the sight and unease it gave him. Whatever the case, he needed to find them and discover what they wanted from him. Surely he was brought here for some reason. He just had to find out what. ]

ii. Into the Jungle

a.
[ Not finding much in way of others here, he ignored the obvious path and decided to head into the forest, choosing for now the left path. He glanced up at the trees, judging quietly which one would be best for what he wanted, and began climbing the first one he deemed sturdy enough to hold his weight. Going through the brush seemed to dangerous to him and he worried that he might alert something by trying to brute force his way through.

Glancing down, he noticed someone below. He watched them for a moment, before softly calling out to them. ]

Would you like help up?

b.
[ Having already explored as much as he liked going from the left and having collected a few interesting plants that interested him, he turns and heads back to the beach. However, after jumping down from the trees, he isn't quite done exploring his surroundings yet.

For now, he neatly lays out his findings at the base of one tree before surveying them again. Time to go looking in a new direction. ]

I think this one will be best. [ He's talking softly to himself but loud enough that he might be overheard by anyone passing by.]

iii. Walking Around

[ Having had an enjoyable and somewhat fruitful exploration of the jungle, he decides to take it easy, looking around the beach. This time around, he's not exactly searching for anything. Instead, he finds himself leisurely walking around, enjoying the sun as it sets, if a bit chilled by the wind, and occasionally picking up sea shells to look at them.

He stops to pick up one in particular that catches his eye. Holding it up, he marvels a little at how the iridescent mother of pearl coating it shimmers in the slowly fading light. ]

How beautiful...

Luffy | One Piece

[couldntsaveone]

i. Casual Arrival

Waking up on a sandy beach is nothing new for Luffy. As a pirate, he's used to visiting different kinds of islands. What is new is the fact that none of his crew and his ship are in sight. In fact, nothing familiar is around, at all.

Weird.

But looking around reveals that-- Wait a second, are they in the air? On a floating island?

How cool!

He hasn't been to a floating island since Skyepia! How did he get here? Did he get rocketed up into the air by a water spout? Or had Kuma sent him flying here? Right, Kuma! His last memories are of that fateful fight, where he and his crew were utterly defeated. He needs to find them again.

This is no time to get distracted! Gotta find the rest of them. Zoro. Nami. Sanji!

He begins wandering around, calling out various members of his crew.

Usopp! Robin! Franky. Brook. Chopper. Where are you guys?

ii. Follow the Yellow Brick Road

After searching for his crew and finding no leads, Luffy has come to only one conclusion. His stomach growls and he groans.

I'm hungry~

Spotting a path in the distance, he grabs a nearby tree and pulls back, stretching his arms out so he can sling shot himself through the air and land closer. Maybe if he follows that, he'll find some people. And more importantly--

Food! Here I come!

iii. George, George, George of the Jungle! Watch out for that--

Having found the village was interesting but he hadn't found any immediate people there. So, there was likely no food there, either. Which means, he's going to have to go into the jungle and try to find something to eat for himself there. His stomach growls again and he clutches it, groaning.

Hungry... Food. Need food. Now.

He's so hungry. However, he hasn't been paying attention to his surroundings and ends up accidentally tripping over a tree root, falling flat on his face. It doesn't hurt but he just lays there for a moment, sulking. He wants to find his crew. He's hungry. He doesn't care if he's acting like a petulant child. It sucks being alone!

Hungry. Where are you guys?