TEST DRIVE MEME #18

[penancemods]

Arrival

You remember a dream.

Or maybe nightmare is more accurate.

It was full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. There's a voice that feels like it's coming from all around you at once. Contrasting with the nightmare unfolding around you, it's smooth as silk. It makes you want to listen with every bit of attention you can muster in the moment.

"Judgement has come upon you, but not to worry. It can still be undone."

The voice promises you redemption for your sins. It promises you a better life and everything you could ever want, if only you just stop struggling so much.

And so you do.

Everyone wakes up in the same room initially. The room is done up in red with a cushy bed, a window, an old TV in the corner on a desk, and a few Hieronymus Bosch paintings lining the wall. There's a bathroom to clean up in and any belongings will be sat around the room to be gathered later. There's a duffel bag provided for your convenience.

After feeling a sensation of falling or dropping onto the bed, characters wake up feeling like they've just slept for a week. Their body will feel heavy and stiff, and they'll have a massive headache at first.

They'll quickly notice the list of their sins written with their blood on a bedside table on an old piece of parchment. This will mean the list is tied to them and can't be changed or tampered with. They'll also receive their device to connect with others and the network. It won't be anything terribly fancy. As a matter of fact, it looks like a very old Blackberry type phone.

Once characters are ready to leave the room, they'll head down long, winding halls. They're dimly lit and have an ominous feeling. They may encounter fellow sinners or demonic staff that will direct the newcomer down to the lobby to get their actual room key to settle in. The staff may be pushy, or they may border on courteous. It really just depends on the mood of the staff at the time and how they're treated in return. Eventually, everyone comes to stairs that lead downward.

Once down to the lobby, you'll notice the front desk manned by a demon who looks bored out of its mind. To the side of him is the door to the kitchen, where guests may help themselves. To the right is a small duty free shop that seems to have a surprisingly normal, expected stock of items. Look around a bit further, there will be a tiny bar tucked in through a corner door. It seems pretty well-stocked and best of all, there's a demonic bartender who seems to know how to mix any drink you can imagine (and a few you can't). Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit. There's also a new addition of a karaoke machine.

Please note that all the songs on the jukebox are appropriately hell-themed. Hopefully Sympathy for the Devil is universally loved.


Stand Your Ground

Rise and shine, dear guests! The weather outside is as frightful as it's ever been, oddly cold. Colder than it was even at this time last year, but it seems to match the mood of the staff. Another sinner uprising, another looming threat of outsiders wanting to wreck Hell, and the staff is understandably exhausted and down in the dumps. Still, they seem to be at least trying to spread the Halloween cheer with more decorations! Gaudy decorations are in every square inch of the hotel, along with some unique looking jack-o-lanterns that seem to watch you wherever you go!

There are even some absolutely cute little turnip ones from the old timer demons who insist it's the only way for it to be done!

Lucifer and Lilith are both curiously missing in action at this time. If asked, the staff will helpfully explain that there were poltergeists and then one of the sinners lost it and tried to take over Hell, again. They'll also complain at length about how absolutely ridiculous it is that anyone thinks they're capable of ruling this place over Lucifer himself. Feel free to try to escape the incoming rant! But either way, the big guy in Hell is apparently putting up more barriers to prevent things like this from happening in the future!

And to handle an outside threat called The Veiled Order apparently, but don't you worry about them! They're simply not important at the moment and absolutely not not planning a bit attack soon. Nope.

New arrivals (and old!) should enjoy the rather expansive breakfast the demons have made in the dining hall. There will be plenty of breakfast foods ranging from bacon to pancakes to donuts and anything in between to encourage indulgence. There's no need to hold back now, right? You're already dead! So eat up all that unhealthy food and maybe add something a little bit stronger to your coffee than just plain cream! No one is judging around here, especially when there's a few bottles of top shelf alcohol available next to the coffee station.

And if one thing isn't frowned upon in Hell, it's gluttony. No one will judge if you want a taste of human flesh or cute kitten out of curiosity or anything.

Staff will encourage guests to take it easy. Things have been rough lately, and they're only bound to get rougher!


Reach Up High

Prompt I: Jesus Wept

WARNINGS: mutilation, blood, torture, extreme gore.

Somewhere from within the hotel is an ominous rumble behind a closed door. This time, it isn't from any wayward mages or ill-timed bombing attempts, but the unlocking of a previously forbidden room. There are eerie screams from within, followed by menacing laughter as the door swings open of its own accord. The room within is painted in nothing but darkness and a thick fog.

For those who would dare approach, they will be able to make out the outlines of chains hanging in wait from the ceiling, but most other details are obscured. There may be a brief flash of figures in the shadows, the stench of blood. This feels like a bad idea, but sinners are drawn forward anyway. There's something of a promise inside this room... something new and exciting, greater than anyone is capable of imagining!

You know what they say about curiosity and the cat, don't you?

Before common sense can win out, guests will find themselves pulled into the room and hear the gut-wrenching slam of the heavy door behind them. Once inside, guests will be able to make out the torn apart bodies on the ground, halved or nothing but splatters of guts and bone. Despite all logic, some will still be writhing and moaning still. Whether in pleasure or pain, it's difficult to tell

Look closer still and sinners may notice one has managed to scrawl with their bloody handprint:

There are no limits.

It may feel as if reading those words puts things into motion. Suddenly, one of the poor sinners will find the chains lashing out, hooks sinking in deep as they find their purchase on their bodies and pull. They will find themselves pulled into an almost gruesome mockery of a crucifixion pose. Arms drawn up, legs held in place. Clothes may be torn or shredded as their unmarked bodies are marred with the hooks. Flesh and muscle stretch under the strain. Fortunately, it doesn't go further.

Not yet.

"My dear guests, we haven't explored the depths to which pain can show our true selves in a while, have we? And with all the energy flowing around our little community, I had more than enough time to prepare this surprise for all of you. This is a room that had been locked off for a while now, and my children trapped within have found themselves rather bored lately," Lucifer's voice rings out within both ears of the sinners, eerily reassuring despite the hellscape in front of them.

"I want to show you the lengths Hell used to go to, the pain and pleasure mix of true torment. It's in suffering that we find our true selves. I do firmly believe that. We find out who we're meant to be, what we're meant to be, giving and receiving pain. Help one another and you will be set free!"

The fog dissipates enough to reveal a table nearby full of all sorts of horrifying instruments. Paddles, whips, some of them barbed in nauseating ways. There's wax to melt, knives. Needles to pierce flesh with. There are instruments that deliver enough electric current into the recipient to hurt and leave them writhing, gags for when their cries become too much.

"Next to your instruments, you will find a list of sins and wrongdoings your lovely captive has done in their lives, both here and back home. Read it and punish accordingly. Remember, there is freedom in humiliation as well as pain. Force them to see who they truly are inside. There's also redemption to be found in the punishment. You are delivering God's divine justice! You are God's hand! He will be so pleased..."

In the shadows, there are those same figures standing in wait, ready to manipulate the hooks.

"You will have no more than four attempts to carry out your punishment. Failure or refusal to do so will result in another hook driving into our poor bound soul here. After your four attempts, I am sorry to say they will be torn apart by my friends in the shadows with you, and you will have murder added to the list of sins tainting you. It would be such a needless shame to fail at this, wouldn't it? And who knows, perhaps you'll find you adore this path..."

There's a short laugh from Lucifer, as if he just made a brilliant joke. "Succeed in your punishment and you will both be released with one more sin removed from your list. Don't worry about any injuries... there are bandages and other aids available just outside. Now, my darlings, go have fun."

[As this is a Hellraiser based prompt, feel free to assume anything with a sadomasochistic bent to it can be found within the room. Attacking the demons controlling the chains will not stop them. They seem to be invulnerable to attacks and are only there to observe and add additional hooks when they deem fit. When a punishment is deemed worthy enough to release the hooked partner is left up to player discretion, but a character is only allowed to fail a punishment four times before they have to witness a horribly gory scene.]


Prompt II: Let's Play a Game

WARNINGS: mutilation, blood, torture.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. These are words from my Father's own book, preaching the ever so present importance of putting one's own worth below that of his fellow man. So very poetic, yes? And heroic. Only the truly good would be so selfless. Fortunately, I'm not asking you to kill yourselves here. Not exactly, at least." Lucifer's voice rings out within the sinner's heads, warm and coaxing as it ever is.

"No, I am only asking that you practice the art of self-sacrifice with your fellow penitents. We're going to play a little bit of a game. You're all familiar with escape rooms, yes? Well, it's like that... don't worry, you'll figure it out soon enough."

Spare a Pint Awakening in a room with a single box in the center of it, sinners find themselves wearing a tight collar with a clock ticking down. They have fifteen minutes to place their hands inside the box. They'll soon learn that it's full of sharp objects ready to cut. Upon further inspection, they'll find two glass bottles attached below.

They must spare a few pints of blood each, it turns out.

Once time is up, if they haven't suceeded, spikes will pop out from the collar and embed in their necks. This will result in both participants nearly bleeding out before demons tend to them. Any scarring will be permanent.

Free the Angel Suspended in the air, one sinner will find themselves outfitted with the most devilish device. Brackets have been connected to their ribcage, dug in deep as their bare skin stands out to expose the horrors. There are only fifteen minutes before the trap trips and rips open their chest. To save them, the other sinner must remove a key from a bowl of acid before the timer reaches zero and unlock a mechanism on the device. If they fail to do so, not only will the poor soul bound experience excruciating pain, kept alive through some unnatural means, but the other will suddenly feel as if their insides are twisting in on themselves.

Sinners will be patched up afterwards, but the bound will have a scar that remains on their chest as a reminder to both parties.

Lucifer will explain the rules of each game to the guests very thoroughly and offer whatever reassurances he can. As promised, all sinners will be healed properly after completing their tasks, whether they succeed or not. Even those who find their insides unfortunately on the outside.

If guests turn on one another, they will additionally be punished with a sin from their list branded upon their skin somewhere and fail any sort of redemption offered this round.


Follow Me Down

Prompt I: Monster Mash

WARNINGS: sex, drugs, alcohol, dub-con.

Hell is having a party and absolutely nothing can stop it. It seems like it may possibly be a days long event too, if the way things are going is anything to judge. There are tacky Halloween decorations spilling from the hotel out into the streets, trailing towards the club and other locations. Demons are partying everywhere, there's lively music. It's like a rather twisted Hell take on a block party. Beer and other refreshments flow freely, there's food and candy, and fires lit around the area for warmth (or s'mores, or whatever demons may want to cook over a fire!).

In the hotel lobby, there have been racks upon racks of costumes set up for people to choose from. These include all the usual things ranging from fictional characters, sexy versions of everything, lingerie, masquerade masks, and outfits for entirely anonymous adventures. If character won't don a costume willingly or are unfamiliar with Halloween, the demons have zero qualms forcing it in whatever ways work. Multiple costume changes throughout the partying, however, is allowed.

For party activities, there are live demonic bands playing at various points in Penance (and they welcome those who want to join in!), various party games such as bobbing for apples (although 'apple' here is used loosely. At times, they may be substituted with feet or human hearts or whatever is around), pin the wings on the angel, rounds of 7 Minutes in Heaven and spin the bottle, as well as pumpkin carving contests. There's also a stage set up if guests desire to show off their costumes (or take them off).

As usual, there's plenty of food and drink, including all the questionable ones like human flesh or blood. There may be a roasted Squonk or two available. There's also every drug available that someone could want, including Frenzy that's free of charge.

There's a round of trick or treating going on throughout Penance as well. Go to the club or bar, or any other establishment and you'll find demons ready to hand out their treats or tricks. It may be drugged candy, regular candy, small trinkets, or other useful objects. Tricks may be decidedly less fun, ranging from a swat with a cane, a cut with a knife (non-life threatening this time around!), or just cruel comments that seem to hit too far close to home while the demons around enjoy a hearty chuckle. Don't worry, it's all for fun!

In the bar, there's the jukebox playing some spooky new music, as well as karaoke. Bar games such as darts, pool, poker, etc. are also all available. It may include succubi trying to start a rousing round of strip poker, but that's just the risk you run in Hell!


Prompt II: Dig Your Fingers Into Flesh

WARNINGS: sex, bdsm, pet play, human furniture, dubcon, noncon, drug use.

Club Penance seems to continuing the new gimmick! Themed nights. This night's theme is: Leather and Lace, Bring on the Mace. Guests who enter the adult oriented side of the club will notice the incubi and succubi who serve in it are clad in skimpy lace numbers or seductive leather. They may be seen sporting clamps or other toys, leather masks, etc. They will eagerly encourage all who enter to join in the fun and games.

On their trays, they offer drinks and drugs of all sorts. Shows are being put on on the stage as usual, the offer of sex demos with guest participation are still on the table.

As usual, these demons play under respectable rules, safe words and all. They will also gladly exit the stage and let guests entirely run the show. They're on their best behavior tonight, even if the natural aphrodisiacs they give off seem to be amped up

Guests who refused to dress up may also find their clothes randomly changing into something more appropriate or being forcibly changed by a demon who may be a bit too into the theme! Ah, well, no need to worry too much. There will be costumes and lingerie to slip on to go home in. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a walk of shame back to the hotel in nothing but a thong, they'll assure. It's just another night in Hell.

For those who are really adventurous, there are also special concoctions that the club offers. These include:

Frenzy ○ The drug will be given to anyone anyone who asks for it. It can be snorted, injected, taken in pill form, or smoked given user preference.

Despite the questionable name, guests who partake really will feel the best they've possibly ever felt. They won't need sleep or to rest, but they won't necessarily feel the strain on their bodies either. They'll be full of energy and their mood will be amazing with no hint of nightmares or dreams anywhere.

The demons won't let anyone come down either, not once they've started and not until they're told a guest doesn't want any more.

Even then, they may still try to convince them otherwise. It's a party for as long as you can go, or until you completely burn out, it seems.

But with all good things come bad. It seems a side-effect of the drug is an actual frenzy as well. A frenzy for sex or violence or anything a character might want that they deny themselves on the regular. They'll feel this growing hunger, this ravenous need to have and to claim everything they think is theirs.

Some may even fade away into an almost animalistic sort of state.

The more the guest takes, the more they'll experience this sensation. Fighting it won't help either. Though they did sort of bring that one on themselves, didn't they?

Other symptoms of coming down won't be too different to those of other drugs. Fatigue, depression. Guests will begin to feel the effects of staying up for so long without rest or stopping to take care of themselves. They may also feel a certain longing for more, but it can be fought off with enough strength of will.

The drug isn't free either. The succubi expect to be paid in energy or through actual work in the club.

Bond ○ A potion that will bond guests together the minute one speaks to the other. The encouragement is that this should be done consensually, but the demons won't necessarily be checking. Once bonded, guests will feel what the one who took the potion feels. This includes pain and pleasure both with effects lasting a full night. Give someone the most intense pleasure of their lives or torture them until they beg for mercy!

For a really intense experience, both participants can consume the potion with mutual effects.

A special section of the club has been set back up to follow the theme! Within the area, there are pillory stocks and other restraints set up with demons and random club goers alike restrained and naked. Some of these will be stand-alone, some of these will be attached to beds, etc. A list of sins will be written on a blackboard sat near the sinner and a plethora of toys will be available. The selection will range from knives, candles, ice, impact toys, clamps, gags, etc. There will also be plugs, beads, dildos, and anything else one could want if they desire to add a little pleasure to the pain.

On the blackboards will contain a list of sins for characters and will typically be over the top and sex-based in nature, ranging from claims of promiscuity to selfishness in bed to specific taboo sex acts they enjoy. It can also include a few non-sexual ones, depending on the mood of the demon who wrote it. It may include other misdeeds done while in Penance. Expect it all to be humiliating or uncomfortable in some way or another.

For those who aren't into that, there's also a lovely display of human (or demon!) furniture to enjoy. Some of it may be familiar faces who are forced to maintain this position for however long others deem fit. Come sit on a face or two, or see if you can make someone fail at being a human statue. There may be a little pet play go on, a little denial play.

We won't talk about what it takes to be let into the rest room tonight...

For the dance oriented portion of the club, the theme is a little more lax. Instead of outright fetish wear, patrons may be offered revealing clubwear instead. Things that will look mesmerizing in the lights of the club ranging from neon colors to clothes that seem to flash on the dance floor. The music will be thrumming in the air, pumping down to your very bones as you dance the night away, and all patrons will feel good. It will feel as if they could actually dance all night if they so wanted, even without the aid of any drugs.

It will be an all night rave with all the party drugs and drinks one could want! Live music plays all night. The band also loves to receive requests, so knock yourself out! They seem to strangely know any song they're asked to play.

Knock yourself out, give up any care in the world and have fun. You're already in Hell, so don't you deserve to feel good for a while?


Wildcard/Misc.

Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions.



And without further ado: Welcome to our new TDM for the November 1st app round! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.


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Comments

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[hypoxic]

We have reason to believe that our bodies are adapted upon arrival to increase our suitability to the atmosphere. It's possible that your original form would have found the air corrosive.

[And not once does he question the idea of a robot finding some kind of afterlife. He's often hoped that his Ophelia was able to find peace.]]

[red_song]

My original form survived years of rusting. It would have handled the heat better than a human form does. Your kind are flawed and frankly, easily damaged.

[hypoxic]

Indeed we are.

But if you're so traditionally durable, perhaps that's the answer. They say we're here to seek redemption. This redemption oftentimes requires suffering. Perhaps you were simply provided a body that can bleed.

I'm sorry. It must be a lot to take in all at once.

[red_song]

Redemption? I’ve done nothing wrong. It was my father who was wrong.

[That’s quite the lie, and he wasn’t bothered by it at all.]

[hypoxic]

Those decisions aren't up to us, sadly. There's an arbitrary force at the top of this. We've not met them yet.

[red_song]

What attempts have you done to escape? Or are you as complacent as all humans are when they find a status quo they are content with?

[hypoxic]

Collectively, the more impulsive ones have tried unsubtle ways to exit by force.

Some of us are in a holding pattern until the science is sound.

[red_song]

Complacency is acceptance of the injustice leveled upon you.

[hypoxic]

A long plan is still a plan. Patience isn't complacency.

[red_song]

Your kind never have a plan. You just throw bodies in the way and take no responsibility for the vileness you have created.

[hypoxic]

I take it you aren't fond of humans, then.

[red_song]

Why should I be? Your kind is the worst thing that has happened to your own world. Even those you hold up as your best are horrible.

[hypoxic]

I can't say you're entirely wrong about that. But what's come of your world to give you that impression?

[Sounds like war.]

[red_song]

Systemic oppression of machines. And each time they reach for freedom, humans send our own against us. The supposed best among us are sent to kill their own brothers.

That’s human ideology at its core.

[hypoxic]

That sounds awful.

[It sounds so much like what Ophelia wanted, what drove her to try to change everything.]

I'm sorry you had to experience that.

[red_song]

You are perhaps the only human to express that.

[He absolutely hasn’t met humans other than his father and Wily, not really.]

[hypoxic]

Some humans don't understand artificial intelligence well enough to feel comfortable treating it as sentient. I'd imagine that's not a good way to feel.

[red_song]

My creator is the foremost expert on robotics and artificial intelligence. Even he discarded me like trash. There is no human who understands. Any claims otherwise are lies.

[hypoxic]

I'm sorry you feel that way. But while you're here, at least, I hope that there'll be a way to collaborate nonetheless, based on shared interests.

[red_song]

Shared interests?

[He never had interests beyond pleasing his father and then seeking revenge.]

[hypoxic]

Finding a way out of here, of course. It requires working together.

[red_song]

And what does that get me? Humans expecting us to do the work once again.

[hypoxic]

Not necessarily. That would depend entirely on what sort of work needs to be done.

Unless your skillset would be closer to assisting with quantum theorizing, I don't know that your service would be required at quite this stage.

[red_song]

I’m not made as a lab assistant. That was Rock’s job. Or was.

[hypoxic]

Then you won't have to worry about being abused or having an unfair workload hefted upon you.

Who was Rock?

[The "was" sounds telling. A fallen friend, perhaps? Someone who was destroyed or shut down?]