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Penance Mods ([personal profile] penancemods) wrote in [community profile] penancememes2019-04-21 09:28 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #1


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, 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 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. They may be pushy, 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, self-serve if you want to get away from your demonic hosts for a bit. Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit.

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



STAND YOUR GROUND

Prompt I

The hotel is undergoing some improvements already! Thanks to the new arrival of sinners, hell has a burst of energy and growth available to it. One demand of the demonic staff was the addition of elevators. It gets tiresome having to take the stairs all the time. They'll eagerly implore you to help them test out this new system, even going so far as shoving you right in the nearest available elevator with whoever else is in the vicinity.

Unfortunately, things aren't quite up to par just yet. Press a button and you'll find your elevator gets jammed between floors with very little chance of escape. Oh, oops. This is entirely the hotel's fault and will be fixed as soon as possible. In the meantime, enjoy your company and try to relax a bit.

It's definitely a high priority repair for staff, promise.

Prompt II

Maybe you were looking for the hotel gym to work off some stress or maybe you just took a wrong left somewhere, but instead of what you were expecting, you stumble across what appears to be a very well stocked torture room. There are tables with straps to hold down victims, chains falling from the walls and ceilings to bind them upright, and absolutely every possible torture device you can think of. There's even an iron maiden proudly displayed in the corner. Besides that, there's the normal supply of whips, knives, and any other equipment someone could want to inflict the most delicious pain available.

You're free to check it out or give it a go. You're also free to back out of the room very slowly, but with the knowledge this space will probably come into play at some point.

Oh, and a tip: the gym is to the right of this room.

REACH UP HIGH

Prompt I
Warnings: cutting, blood, torture.

After settling in, it really is only a matter of time until your demonic hosts expect some participation. You can try and shirk the responsibility, of course. But eventually, you may find yourself trapped in a room just off the kitchen that's curiously full of knives. You can try the door, but even with super human strength or every lock picking skill in the book, you won't be able to open it.

It becomes apparently what you're supposed to do soon enough when someone else is eventually shoved in with you. Both of your lists of in will appear in the room on a nearby table with two handy knives. You can choose to guard these or not care at all that they're on display.

"Know that honesty is a good place to start on your road to redemption. Sure, it can be terrifying at first, but that's why you've been given a partner in this journey. Pick up your knives and carve one of your sins into the other's flesh. Help them in their journey to be candid with everyone they should meet here!"

The voice echoes all around you again, just like in the nightmare, and once again there's the pull to give in. This voice really does seem like it has your best interests at heart.

"If you need a bit of encouragement, we'll be giving it shortly."

It isn't a lie or idle threat either. The longer you wait to do what's been requested of you, the more shallow cuts that will appear on both of your bodies. Are you really prepared to endure this pain when giving in would be so much easier?

And more than that, are you willing to let another suffer along with you?

Eventually, the cuts will stop if you suffer them long enough, but you'll have failed this challenge and sustained more damage than if you'd just gone along with it. Satan will also be very disappointed in you.

Prompt II

Well, that last punishment was a bit heavy, wasn't it? Or maybe you somehow skipped out on it all together. Fortunately for you, there's a less horrible one to get potentially wrapped up in along the way. You'll hear that all too familiar voice ringing in your ears as you explore the halls of the hotel or poke your head outside.

"Do one genuinely kind deed for someone and we'll consider it a step in the right direction for you."

This can be helping one of your fellow sinners out with a task or helping them find something. It can be a shoulder or a listening ear towards someone who needs it. You can even offer to help the staff clean up a bit around the hotel, or help a poor hell beast pup out of the hellfire around Penance. Careful though, even they have pretty sharp teeth and an aggressive attitude. It doesn't matter what you do as long as it helps someone else out.

Oh, and one more thing! The longer you resist, the more aches you'll notice. It'll start with a mild headache and escalate from there. You can wait it out, of course, and pills may help you cope with the pain if you really can't be bothered to do one nice deed. Although Satan is still very disappointed in you.

FOLLOW ME DOWN

Prompt I
Warnings: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con.

With all the new sinners arriving, this feels like a call for celebration! The bar will be lit up with activity. Food and drinks will be readily available and provided by hotel staff (although they might not always know what humans eat. What do you mean you don't like fried kitten?), music will be blaring, and overall, there will be an energy to the atmosphere that's absolutely contagious. Even if you aren't typically inclined to linger at these sorts of events, there will be a certain pull.

One drink won't hurt, right? Nor will one more after that.

There will also be every sort of party drug available that might tickle your fancy. There's no harm in experimenting, is there? You're already in hell.

And you've presumably done your atonement for the day, yes? So cut back a bit.

Ask the staff demons very nicely and you may even get less scrupulous drugs. Things that will convince your fellow damned souls to tell the truth or perhaps even things that will make someone so enamored with you, they won't take their eyes off you. How dare they give you the cold shoulder earlier, right?

There are also tables set up for all sorts of gambling and various bar games to entertain yourself with.

Relax and enjoy your first night in hell. Coming here and facing your sins is the hard part, so surely you deserve to have a little fun, right?

Prompt II
Warnings: sex, aphrodisiacs, potential kinks.


Much like the hotel improvements inside, all these new sinners seem to have given hell the ability to open a new building just outside the hotel. It happens to be quite a happening sex club from the looks of it. Everything is bathed in obnoxious neon lights when you first enter the establishment. There's plenty of space for dancing, and poles for those so inclined. Mood music fills the air, along with something a little too sweet.

As tacky as it is, something may pull you to stay.

Whether experienced lover or total virgin, once pulled in, you may not want to leave for a while.

There are back rooms people can go for a bit of private fun, full of every type of toy and restraint that you could possibly desire to play with. There's also a rather large room with a massive bed that seems to be fit for any orgies you may want to try to arrange. Hell's not judging and may be encouraging a bit.

There are aphrodisiac laced food and drinks available around the club as well, but these will most likely be marked. If one slips through, ah well. Why else are you here if not for a bit of fun? The drugs will only help that out.

Of course outside, this club is clearly marked for what it is and anyone who would rather avoid it are free to do so.

MISC.

Thank you for checking out [community profile] penancerp's first TDM! Please note that all prompts are opt-out and players are more than welcome to come up with their own ideas while exploring the hotel and hell outside.

All that we ask is that you remember to put clear warnings on any potentially triggering content! Warn for sex, including underage or incest, violence, abuse, non-con, etc. Please put these warning in a visible place, either by the prompt itself or in the subject line. This isn't just a suggestion but a requirement to participate in the game.

Now that all that's out of the way, we hope you have fun! Feel free to ask questions under the appropriate comment before or on the FAQ page. Since this is the game's first TDM, we are also very interested in hearing any suggestions you have or ways to improve the game experience.

Since this is a big event, Lucifer himself will be taking a few questions via his device for anyone so inclined down below.

As a final note, don't forget that reserves are open now until May 1st as well!


Navigation | Premise | Arrival | FAQ
Rules | Taken | Reserve | App

Network | Logs | OOC | Memes


code bases by tricklet
pococurante: (whatever)

[personal profile] pococurante 2019-04-26 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe nobody knows the truth until they're there. Or here. Or wherever else there is to go." Spike observes. He can't think of any religious teaching that featured a run-down hotel surrounded by fire. But then he never paid much attention to religious teaching of any sort, other than the bushido philosophy that Mao followed. Even that is arguable how religious it is.

"Is there another place? It could be part of the torment. Getting us to jump through hoops for eternity with the promise of eventual freedom that's never going to come." He takes a drag.
conjobs: (50)

[personal profile] conjobs 2019-04-26 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
John squints at himself before his head vanishes from the hole and he gets back to his feet. He's not sure how he can make the jump without some crazy parkour or magic shit but as he turns back to look at the external door in the elevator shaft, he decides that's not really the immediate problem and focuses on the door.

"We've fingered tighter cunts," John comments casually as he pulls his pants up a little higher and shrugs. He's used to his own crudeness, surely.

"You worry too much mate," he quips as he runs his fingers over the barely visible sliver of light. And also complains about his arse far too much as well. For all the smoking and drinking he does, it's in incredible shape. That's probably thanks to all the running that's inevitable in his poor career choice, but still.

Pressing his palm flat against the elevator, John closes his eyes and mutters a quiet incantation, forcing the door to creak open a little more. Just enough to slide his skinny arm through up to the wrist.

"If I lose me hand you can say I told you so." But preferably they can leave the gloating until later. Right now he's got his hands in the gap, trying to push the doors open with all the strength he doesn't have.
exasperation: (079)

[personal profile] exasperation 2019-04-27 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ ripley shakes his head. ]

Nothing. I can feel something . . . vague out there but I can't pinpoint it.
pococurante: (friendly)

[personal profile] pococurante 2019-04-27 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
Spike's died a few times himself. Always managed to bounce back until now. Julia died, too. What's the point of trying anymore? Maybe that's why his guardian star went out. "Seedy clubs are seedy clubs no matter where they are, I guess."

A faint smile curves his mouth and he shrugs, nonchalant. "Notice more if you stay calm. Easier to react to things if you need to." His gaze becomes a little sharper as he looks for telltale signs around her pupils, the pulse point on her throat, the muscles of her jaw. "Looks like you're not sampling the harder stuff yet."
styxtoshadows: (smile  12)

[personal profile] styxtoshadows 2019-04-27 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Ahh." He smiles, feeling less like he's being offered a trap. Nobody just hands out their own alcohol.

"You're very generous with other people's liquor. I like that in a person. Alcohol isn't so great though. It only makes you fall over. Now Amber, Amber feels amazing." He lowers his voice confidentially.

"Though I don't miss having the voices in my head all the time. You know what? Fuck it, I'll have the bourbon."

He climbs up the bar stool, then eyes the blue drink suspiciously.

"Now that looks like a real potion."
styxtoshadows: (what or oh no  11)

[personal profile] styxtoshadows 2019-04-27 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
Styx tenses up as the man leans down, prepared to spring out. What a time not to have a knife. The words catch him completely by surprise and he makes a noise that's half laugh half snort.

"Am I well!? I only woke up in the middle of the fucking, what is this, the Inquisition headquarters? 'S gotta be, they love their lists of sins.

And now you're here, inquiring about the health of a goddamned Rakash. What's next, torture by tea and scones?" He sobers a bit.

"...Seriously, though. What do you want?"
triplerose: (Default)

[personal profile] triplerose 2019-04-27 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ The man, while certainly intimidating, seems actually quite pleasant. Loras allows himself to relax, just a touch, but the look of uncertainty doesn't quite leave his face. ]

Loras. Tyrell.

[ For as much as names may matter here. He all but sold his for a bid at redemption back home. ]

Pleased to meet you.
unreconciled: (Mildly pleased)

[personal profile] unreconciled 2019-04-27 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
Ah yes, the list. If it wasn't for the splitting headache, it would all seem some sort of horrible dream. No kidnappers would have constructed such an elaborate scheme. Frankly, he would more likely be dead than taken hostage.

Perhaps he was. As an explanation, it made as much sense as any.

"It is not an inquisitorial headquarters. I should know," he remarks lightly. Andrej knows of no Rakash as a species or lineage, so likewise no doubt the fine details of his Jurisdiction Fleet uniform - red piping, white bar insignia with a red stripe running through - are lost on the fellow. Besides which, there was no headquarters as such beyond the student training facility.

"I simply could not help but think it uncommon to see a man lurking among the terrycloth. Have you given thought to other accommodations?" he can't help but add with a little dry humor.
styxtoshadows: (neutral crouch  3)

[Haven't read "Under Jurisdiction" but it looks good.]

[personal profile] styxtoshadows 2019-04-27 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
White, red, and black are common colors in the Inquisition so he doesn't doubt this even if the uniform is strange. And even in the Inquisition, there were always those willing to work with the other side, or pretend to.

From the bottom shelf of the cart he stretches his arms luxuriously and, he hopes, infuriatingly. "I don't know about that. It's just so comfortable here."

A beat. Maybe he'd better ask more questions before driving the man off. "Alright, Inquisition man. If it's not the Inquisition, what is it? High class whorehouse? Palace?"
ouijahands: (come now)

[personal profile] ouijahands 2019-04-27 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
The way Styx talks about this Amber stuff piques Klaus's interest, because that doesn't sound like run of the mill booze. It sounds like drugs, and that's more his speed. Or his acid. Or whatever. He's not picky.

He leans on the bar, a little closer. Okay, so even Klaus probably shouldn't be trusting a literal goblin on the weird off chance it will lead to a fix, but also, any port in a storm, right?

"Oh yeah? Tell me more about this Amber stuff," he says. Barely bothering to look at it, with all the practiced grace of a man who has poured an obscene amount of cocktails, he manages to take the cap off the bourbon and pour it into the waiting glass.

"You want this on the rocks?" he asks, only realising after the fact that the goblin might not know what he means. "Uh, ice. I mean ice."

He takes a sip of the blue cocktail. "This one's a Blue Hawaiian. I can manage another one if you want. But try the bourbon. It smells amaning."
styxtoshadows: (hoodie  8)

[personal profile] styxtoshadows 2019-04-27 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh." That's the sound of someone reminiscing about a very, very good high. It's accompanied by a slight roll of his head and a grin. But then his eyes narrow.

"You don't want it. Sure it feels great, but it's more than it's worth losing yourself in all those voices chattering away constantly. Anyway, most of it got destroyed with the World Tree. And it sucks out your memories. Not like blacking out, you lose other memories." He watches the bourbon being poured with interest. Maybe he does want something alcoholic right now.

"You have Quartz?" He perks up again. Who has ice just lying around when it isn't winter?
contrarianlibrarian: (pic#8910524)

[personal profile] contrarianlibrarian 2019-04-27 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
I imagine you're correct.

[She breathes out slowly and mentally notes the deity he refers to. She was raised worshiping the Faceless Ones, but the name sounds similar enough to figures in other religions in her world, even if it might not be precisely the same one.]

Were you looking for something in particular? I hope I didn't interrupt you.
unreconciled: (Default)

[First couple books are especially dark as hell so not sure if I can "recommend" per se but...]

[personal profile] unreconciled 2019-04-27 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
"Am I to find other fellows lingering in the drapes next? No, never mind." Rhetorical question.

"A service house, it could be by appearances, but for the lack of staff." Because even amongst the 38 hominid species (39 now, is it?) he doubts very much the appeal of this individual to anyone's taste. Still taking the whole business rather lightly, he admits easily, "I am rather to think I am in the grip of some some adulterated wodac and should awaken shortly from this dream. With a continuation of this damnable headache no doubt."
noassgardian: (b | looking down)

[personal profile] noassgardian 2019-04-27 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Just sort of the jump first type, huh?" Billy isn't feeling particularly picky in the moment either. They're stuck anyway. They might as well have some fun.

Although John gets a laugh out of him with that suggestion. "Oh, sure. But I know I didn't think to pack lube on me before demons shoved me on an elevator. Did you?"
noassgardian: (w | looking down and smiling)

[personal profile] noassgardian 2019-04-27 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, no yelling or killing. Billy isn't really the type.

And as long as he isn't trying to like, steal any belongings, he guesses he can let it slide that some weird guy is taking it upon himself to do what should be a staff member's job. "I mean, I hadn't really thought of it..."

He lets out a laugh. "I've seen weirder stuff back home too. Although I've never talked to a goblin before. That's sort of cool..."

He arches a brow. "Did you hear that voice again or do you just really like making beds look inviting?"
noassgardian: (b | thoughtful)

[personal profile] noassgardian 2019-04-27 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
I didn't say that
I want to watch, but I didn't say that was all I'd do
Especially with an inspiring promise like it probably won't hurt
Good salesmanship
Are you asking for something in return?
noassgardian: (b | yeah yeah)

[personal profile] noassgardian 2019-04-27 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
I'm the guy who doesn't like cutting people up like it's normal.

[But she's got a point. It's not going to work. It's just-- wishful thinking and none of his magic is working. He shifts, turning around to face his companion.]

But I guess this is hell, so new normal and all.
noassgardian: (w | smug smile)

[personal profile] noassgardian 2019-04-27 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
Klaus is pretty cute, himself, so it's not like trying to distract him from annoying a demon into potentially punching his face in is much of a chore at all.

He takes the hand offered and gives him a tug towards the dance floor, grinning. "I'm glad you see my point. Come on, then. I'm Billy, by the way."
everythingmine: (tilt)

[text]

[personal profile] everythingmine 2019-04-27 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
is being a demon so bad?
hellboundheart: (story time with uncle John)

[personal profile] hellboundheart 2019-04-27 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
[One of the problems of the Hell John had been in is that he saw people with wings on a fairly regularly basis. Do-gooder or cranky angels were always coming through to try to 'help' them or work side by side with demons. Some demons even developed them after awhile. A living human would have seen the wings Castiel can't hide, been surprised and wanted to know about them. To the demon John, they were a normal thing.]

[And that is a bit of a dent in his attempt to playact at being human so his still-human self doesn't realise what he is. Oh well. Of course, he also doesn't get that holy beings probably know what he is on sight.]


Full power. Is that what- [he waves his cigarette towards the wings folded behind Castiel] - those things are all about? You miss the clouds with harps and hit the ground? Or are you one of those sorts that just has them?
pococurante: (thinking)

[personal profile] pococurante 2019-04-27 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
Hm. Maybe you should rethink that. Is a good deed truly good if you're only doing it for the reward?

[ Spike has no idea. He just likes asking rhetorical questions. Sometimes, if he's lucky, the person he's talking to will start thinking about it and stop talking. His nicotine withdrawal headache is getting even worse. He rubs his forehead in between his eyes. ]

I'm going to let it find me.
hellboundheart: (another man another place)

[personal profile] hellboundheart 2019-04-27 08:02 am (UTC)(link)
The chances of demon John doing some crazy parkour shit is about the same chance of him giving up the trench and alcohol. His thin self isn't going swinging from a damn thing despite the changes that have happened.

He watches John from the back, feeling the thrill of magic through the air to temper his own crankiness at his human self. It's like the touch of an old friend with that surge of life versus his.

"If you lose a hand, don't let it be the one we wank with."

So much for secrets. Sighing, John reaches out to grasp the doors of the elevator and push as well. Strength he has, but maybe not in the measure needed. The spidery words of magic he speaks? Oh now that is a trade-off he made for more. The magic that flares out is cold and calculating. Tainted. An unhappy squeal of machinery accompanies, a protest as if they had cheated whatever power had been controlling it all.

"You'd best get through or hit this with something stronger."
pococurante: (friendly)

[personal profile] pococurante 2019-04-27 08:12 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. I heard you lose ten days off the end of your life every time you smoke.

[ Obviously. ]

Keeping your expectations low is a good way to avoid disappointment.

[ He says it like it's a compliment. And realizes, belatedly, he's being rude. He offers her a cigarette. ]

Want one?
pococurante: (tired)

[personal profile] pococurante 2019-04-27 08:21 am (UTC)(link)
He puts his arm in Billy's hand and starts thinking about... other things. Walking up an endless flight of stairs. Falling out of a window. Playing pool. Julia's hair fanning out in the wind as the birds fly overhead.

It's all a dream.

Yeah. Don't think about that. Think about something better.

"Yeah. I remember."

Bang.

"You don't?"

pococurante: (what)

[personal profile] pococurante 2019-04-27 08:34 am (UTC)(link)
[ The seats are perfectly fine. Well. Accept that they all have the tiniest little wobble. Not enough to topple over. Just enough to make it impossible to keep steady unless you focus on balancing. But he's not about to argue with this guy. ]

Yeah they should really fix that.

[ Spike's eyebrows lift a little at "miracle" but again he doesn't argue. There's no point in turning a happy drunk into an angry drunk over something he won't remember anyway.

Spike has a moment of wondering if he really blacked out on the conversation long enough to get to verse fifty-two before remembering no, he's the sober one. ]


Sorry. I know the 51st and 53rd but can't remember the 52nd.