penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #24

Arrival

"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.

It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.

It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.

And so you do.

Darkness consumes you for a second.

Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody with a contract clutched in their uninjured hand that they don't remember signing.

Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples.

If they look at the list in their hand, they'll notice it's written on with their blood. That explains the wound then. It's an old piece of parchment that details every sin they've committed.

As they move along the queue, they'll find a demon waiting to pass them a communication device that looks almost like a very old Blackberry type phone.

"Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line. This trip is gonna take longer, but at least you get a vacation..."

Once characters have their device and their contracts, they're ushered further down the hall until they come to a set of stairs. They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a door that's alight with white energy. Stepping through, they find themselves on an island.

There's a demon with striking animal features waiting at the start of a long path where an old castle can be seen looming over a quaint, old village. There's music on the air, celebrations clearly taking place. It's explained that while Lucifer rests and recovers, Mammon will be taking his place. Hell is, for the moment, a pleasurable experience they will heartily insist.

Unfortunately, there is a bit of a trek ahead still. The demon urges them on.

Stand Your Ground

The weather is crisp and pleasant in Mammon's domain. It seems to always be a beautiful day and a beautiful night, no matter what. Sinners should rejoice since this isn't very often the case when it comes to the actual Penance community.

While the energy in the air is as pleasant as ever, it's becoming quite obvious that there are unusual creatures roaming the area. Large dragons circle the woods surrounding the village and lately and often attempt to add to their hoard, other oddities have been slithering out. Chimeras of multiple animals wander free in any horrifying combination one can think of. Deer mixed with creatures far more predatory, bears mixed with wolves, other animals are sewn together in grotesque ways. It seems that with Mammon's attention directed towards the battle, he lost a bit of control over his... projects.

Some are aggressive, others are not. They are all, however, a very alarming show of Mammon's greed and lust for more.

Not to worry! Mammon and his servants will assure everyone that the situation is perfectly under control and that the animals are suffering very little to not at all. He just needs a piece to the puzzle to make certain that these new beasts have a productive, happy life. He will also be offering rewards to those who catch these critters unharmed and return them to the castle for safe keeping.

Rewards may take the form of extra food at the taverns, special rooms at the brothels, or a makeover at the salon and fine clothing to match.

Aside from the projects running around, guests may be delighted to see miniature dragons gallivanting around, no larger than the standard chihuahua but most the size of a palm. Some puff little bits of flame, others carry a slightly poisonous bite, but they're all absolutely adorable... and absolutely escaped the pet shop. To prevent larger animals from eating these little guys up, the shop is encouraging everyone to catch one or two or three. They may either choose to keep the little guys or hand them back to the store for safekeeping and a reward of golden Lucifer tokens for the upcoming Dark Carnival.

That's right! It's almost that time of the year again, folks! It seems like the annual affair will be held at Mammon's domain rather than Penance proper. There are promises of no clowns or human zoos this time around, so... that's a positive, right? A section of the village has been roped off and citizens are busy at work setting up decorations, booths, and a few other attractions such as rides and what appears to be a haunted house in a decrepit old building in the village. Careful! Whatever objects are being moved into the establishment do seem to carry actual spirits attached to them.

Should guests be inclined, they may offer a helping hand, but they will not be forced to do so this time.

Everybody Needs a Holiday

While it may be a little disorienting to not only go to Hell, but to be on a sudden vacation, Mammon’s domain is actually very inviting!

Upon entry, there is lively music in the streets and, worth noting, the demons in this area of Hell seem far more hedonistic than those found in Penance proper. They wear fine clothing, silks and furs, and expensive jewelry. A lot of them have adopted animal characteristics or sport various types of body modifications. They're strangely beautiful creatures overall. Although with all of Mammon's 'projects' on the loose, it does make one wonder if they've adopted these characteristics naturally or if there's something more sinister going on...

Best to not wonder about that so much.

The village itself is quaint and old-fashioned, but everyone seems to be rather pleasant. There may be darker aspects to explore for those inclined, but they are nowhere near apparent on the surface. It's sure to be uncovered later, however...

The incubi and succubi in this area seem to be particularly breathtaking and enticing, but sinners will be urged back on track, should anyone seem to be drifting. There will be time to explore later!

For now, everyone will be encouraged to go to the castle and be shown to their rooms. While they will follow the usual housing assignments to avoid further upset to the sinners' routine, the floor plans will be a bit different. Bathing will be done in communal areas with walls separating the showers and large baths that always seem to run the perfect temperature. None of the rooms will have private bathrooms or kitchens attached. All rooms will have a common area attached to lounge in, however. It will have plenty of available seating for entertaining.

No one will have private kitchens, but room service is available at all hours with anything the sinners could desire available. Maybe even things they never thought they would...

TVs, computers, and other familiar electronics will be unavailable and non-existent in Mammon's realm, but there is a library contained within the castle with fiction and non-fiction from Earth (and beyond) all available for perusing. Devices will continue to function as normal.

Mammon's garden will be available for viewing. In every establishment and all around the castle, there's a cider available freely that seems to encourage a good mood and lower inhibitions. The effects aren't overwhelming, but the more one drinks, the stronger they may become as it builds up. Each night, there will also be an option to attend dinner in a rather grand hall, which Mammon frequently attends. There's always a large spread of food and spiced wines and ales available, as well as decadent desserts and other tempting treats. There's frequently live music or succubi dancing for entertainment.

Overall, the atmosphere in Mammon's realm seems to be focused on luxury, indulgence, greed, and sloth.

[It's recommended that everyone read thoroughly through the new location information as it contains helpful hints on what there is to do while on this vacation! It has a list of shops, animals, vendors, etc. Plus a little bit of information regarding Mammon's land itself.]

Reach Up High

For those who still desire to work on their contracts and remove sins from their list despite the fact this is a vacation, there will be opportunities available! They won't even require suffering... much. Rounding up creatures, saving dragons, or helping the carnival set up are all considered good enough deeds to remove one sin from a contract. This is one sin over all, not per deed.

At least it doesn't require any painful torture... though there may be opportunity abound for that as well, if someone wants to go that route...

Under the Surface

Of course this is still Hell. There has to be something going on once in a while, right? Walk down just the right street and sinners may see delectable tortures being carried out in seedy back alley establishments. Loving cuts with knives, harsh blows with whips while your sins are repeated for all to hear. Even the torture seems to have a hedonistic approach and debauchery about it.

Are the victims truly suffering or are they being redeemed in the best of ways? Those who decide to participate may soon realize that the cider everyone has been consuming seems to add a layer of euphoria to pain and punishments. While this isn't necessarily sexual in nature, it encourages a sense of good well-being after and sinners may become addicted to pain.

The crash may not be too fun though, watch out for that.

There are also other vendors in this area that are offering drugs of all varieties, as well as questionable photos of other sinners engaging in true acts of misdeed, unlike the comic shop that seems to be more embarrassing than not. Perfect chance to get that blackmail of your enemy killing that guy...

There seems to be a new vendor in town too. The figure's table seems to be set up like a fortune teller's booth, complete with a crystal ball and the pungent smell of cheap incense. He beckons those who dare look near, urges them to take a seat in front of the booth. The figure remains in dark robes, hood drawn to obscure their face. The only visible part of them seem to be their hands. Unlike the animal-like demons of Mammon's domain, this one seems to have human hands with sharp, yellowed nails. They offer knowledge in exchange for something you will not miss in return, they assure. What is it? Well, they refuse to say. Nothing important, nothing important.

Ask anything! It can be about a specific occurrence back home, the answer to life, the universe, and everything, or something as simple as what does Lucifer truly want. Keep in mind that a price will be taken down the line and it may not be something the sinner actually wanted to lose. Ah, well...

[For knowledge based transactions, please respond here. If a character asks a question of their homeworld or something in their future, players may assume they are told a bit of information on the topic without waiting for mod approval. If a character asks something related to Hell, please wait for a response. Regardless of answer type, please respond to the thread linked here so that you can later receive a decision on what your character has given up for this knowledge. It may be a memory, a temporary loss of a sense, a year or so off their lives (when they return home), lack of resilience to sin, etc. Please be aware that signing up does mean consequences at a later date... and these may not come from Mammon or Lucifer.]

Follow Me Down

WARNINGS: sexual themes, animal-like behavior, dub/non-con potentials, implied bathroom play, mating.

It seems there's a trickster somewhere, somehow who spiked the cider. Naughty little devil! Those who are unfortunate enough to drink the tainted cider may find themselves developing animal-like traits, such as enhanced senses, animalistic urges, and a general need to be territorial or possessive. They may find the urge to keep to their pack or to branch out and find a new one. This may also result in features, such as fangs or claw-like nails that may or may not retract. Sinners will find themselves reverting back to a primal nature that they may not be able to resist.

How utterly embarrassing!

Don't worry, these effects only last a couple days at most before they will fade completely! Unfortunately, 'animal-like traits' may also extend to mating rituals. Sinners may find themselves going into heat. While knotting or other traits will not be apparent, sinners will find themselves desperate for intimate contact. This may mean a poor sinner in heat will be mated by several lovers in a row as their scent inevitably draws them in, there may also be possessive behavior displayed that results in biting and marking, and others wanting to mark their territory in ways that would make even the most seasoned succubus blush.

It may also mean those inflicted with the heat-like state, will present themselves to those they find attractive as mates or find other ways to entice them to get what they want.

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 June 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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Not at all - ah, but it is a dog, isn't it? I'm not very fond of them.

(Even terrified, Izaya is managing to keep a cool stance, at the very least. He looks at the boy, inexplicable white-hair and all, before he shrugs and sits on the post. Probably the canine-like creature will be too distracted to come towards him.)

I've never gotten a grasp at what they're thinking. Not that interesting at all.

(Bullshit TM delivered.)

You're not? [Shion crouched slightly, reaching out calmly towards the dog-creature. He's not sure if these part dogs will react the same as regular dogs but it's worth a try, to see if he can calm it down and lead it away.]

They tend to be very protective, but as long as you are not a threat to those they care about they won't hurt you.

(Izaya is a threat to humanity, is that why dogs flock around him? Either way, he Does Not Like it.)

Meaningless waggling tails and never-ending barking... I don't see the appeal at all.

Oh... [Those are both things Shion likes about dogs, how they are always so friendly, except when they are being protective.]

Well I'm helping round them up, so it won't bother you much longer.

(Throw them a tennis ball, Shion. Anything. Izaya's bored of being up in there.)

Round them up for...?

Mammon. He sent people to collect them. They escaped.

[Come on dog-chimera. Shion made coaxing movements, trying to draw it away from the telephone pole that the man was sitting on.]

So not so loyal after all, mhm? Thought that was a main theme among dogs, who would have thought I could be surprised by them?

(As soon as they are no longer close to him, Izaya descends and falls on his feet, as he has a thousand times before. Always leaping from shit. Thanks, Shizuo.)

I'm Izaya Orihara.

[It takes a moment for him to lure the creature away and get it to one of the places set up to round the creatures into.

But once that is done he returns to check on the man, to make sure he is alright.]

I'm Shion. It's nice to meet you Izaya Orihara. They shouldn't bother you again.

Shion-kun, I see. Have you been here for long?

(A question, although his eyes don't leave the creatures. It's a way to keep himself safe in case they come after him again.)

Yes. [A sad nod.]

Almost two years now.

[A very very long time indeed.]

A veteran! You see, I myself am a new addition. Any advice you'd be willing to share?

(Looks like a good kid. Izaya can get good tea from him, probably.)

I guess my biggest advice is to find good friends. As long as you have people to support and who can support you anything is survivable. Even if you don't strictly survive.

[Survive is a word, like too many, that has lost most of its meaning in hell.]

What exactly do you mean, that last part?

(Izaya's never had friends. He isn't going to start now, most likely.)

Oh. [Shion looked a bit embarrassed, he’s probably not the best person to break this news.] Well sometimes the tortures kill us, but when they do we just wake up. I’m not sure if it counts as resurrection since technically we are dead in order to be here in the first place but dying here is just… Temporary.

[Honestly it was probably best to know before it actually happened.]

Isn't that a single theory? I've heard that, I do know that I most certainly did die - I got here with punctured ribs tickling my lungs, but I've heard of others who have said before that they don't recall dying in the first place.

Yes. No one is really sure. Some people don't remember dying. Some people are pretty sure they didn't. Others can remember it pretty well.

[He winced.] Sorry to hear you're one of them. I'm definitely dead as well. But my friend who was here for a while, he has no memories of the last few days before I died and we were together all that time so there was no way he died two days before me. He was still alive when I died.

And your leading theory is?

(Delicious information. Thank you, Shion!)

Well Fitz says gods are just powered people with ego problems so if this god, who ultimately rules here is just someone with vast power that we don't understand, then this is just a world, like any of ours.

Once. [He sighed.] Once we were all put in a town where we believed we had always lived, we believed we were family with each other, people had jobs and went to school. Only a few months ago Barbas put us all in a school and people believed they were students. [Had this man been there for that, or arrived just after?]

If they can do that, then we can't trust anything we think we can remember from before we came here.

(Oh, Izaya wasn't there, no, but his hands fell into a beautiful little comic of Setsuna and Fitz arguing in the situation Shion is describing. Great that he spent all that time collecting information because it's come in hand for this one in specific.

I could never be like Shion, wasn't it? Ah, he has to fight to keep his smile at bay.)

What happened then? How did it end?

Ah, but you are correct. I'd like to believe I've won the war I was waging, but alas.

We began remembering our lives... Some of us did anyways. There was a lot of fighting, people died.

I guess people just returned to the hotel once the experiment was over. I was taken to Lucifer's island for a while, so I'm not very clear on the aftermath. It was another month before I was returned and by then things were back to normal. Or as normal as they ever get.

What do you mean, 'Lucifer's Island'? Like private eternal damnation?

Yes... [He tries to keep his voice casual at least.]

It's a place we are sometimes taken. Lucifer actually doesn't have control over who goes there. But it is for punishment.

Oh? What did you do to deserve such a thing, I can't imagine.

(Wasn't he the perfect one? Or at least, that's what the comic he's read implied.)

I don't know. I guess I didn't do it right, the experiment. I mean... I rebelled. But I couldn't live like that, once I knew. Once I realised we were living a lit.

[He shook his head.] That's not something I could do.

TEST DRIVE MEME #24

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