TEST DRIVE MEME #1

[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, 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 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!


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Comments

Arrival

[hellboundheart]

If someone else is going to play bartender, there is a very good chance that they will attract a wild John Constantine. This particular specimen of the 'Exorcist Demonus' approaches willingly enough at its favourite treats being laid out in the form of alcohols and mixers. Despite this species' longevity (supposed) this particular creature comes in easily enough. Unfortunately, cigarette smoke and a hard Scouse accent comes with him. It's a trade-off.

"I make it my business never to argue with the person lining up the drinks," John agrees easily enough. "Whatever is the special, I'll drink it. I have to ask though, what is that you're making?"

Because something that colourful is bound to attract attention. There's some skill there that needs complimented. Most attempts at rainbowed drinks becomes a muddy brown.

Finding what looks to be a fellow alcoholic that isn't a living version of himself is a bonus.

"Hit me with your best shot, bartender." Pause. Beat. "Or shots."

[ouijahands]

Klaus is more than pleased to have someone eager to drink what he's making. The accent isn't one he's used to, but whatever. Cigarette smoke is also fine, though it reminds him that he doesn't have any cigs with him so he'll have to acquire some soon enough.

For now, though, just alcohol will do.

He gestures grandly with the oversized martini glass he's filled. "This is a Blue Hawaiian," he says, loftily. His lofty tone is fake as hell (or, well, fake as something else) on purpose. He likes attention, so it's easy to show off.

"You don't look like a man who appreciates the fruity drink variety, though," he says, in a tone more like whatever passed for "regular" on Klaus. "So how about this."

He sets his own drink down, after taking a large sip of it, and rummages in the bottles behind the bar.

He mixes several kinds of whiskey together in a shot glass big enough to be three shot glasses and sets it in front of John on the bar with a flourish and a grin.

"That's a three wise men. Bottoms up." He figures if the other guy doesn't like it, whatever, he'll drink that and mix something else. There's more than enough alcohol to keep this up.

[hellboundheart]

If Klaus asked, John would be willing to part with a few. One of the tiny perks of being a magician is an endless pack of cigarettes. That said, they're Silk Cuts which aren't a great quality brand.

As much as the Blue Hawaiian is great in size, there's a small downward twist to John's mouth at it. Nuclear blue has never boded well for his body in the morning. While he's a demon and not technically alive anymore, he isn't sure what this Hell's alcohol is like. Be just his luck to end up wishing for death (again) over some frou-frou fancy drink.

His human self might die laughing at him.

But then whisky makes an appearance, and John leans across the bar to get a better look until it is set before him.

"You are a prince among men and wiser than any of those three who went out chasing a comet in the sky."

The slow burn and hit of warmth from the alcohol is a feeling he's missed. In the other Hell, it could be felt, but it wasn't as real. Point one in the new Hell's favour.

"Bartender by trade or just a new career choice now that a deity is demanding you repent?"

[ouijahands]

Klaus practically glows at the compliment. He doesn't deserve it, probably, but he preens anyway. Flattery is an excellent way to get things from him, though it doesn't matter right now since he's the one who offered.

"I'm just a guy who likes to drink," he says, matter-of-factly. "And one who's pretty good at judging what others might like to drink. I'm actually a superhero."

It's not really true; he was on the team as a teenager and everything, but the higher he got, the less useful he got. He never liked the title anyway, but it seems like something to brag about here in Hell.

"But you know, that life is kinda overrated. What about you? What'd you do before they rounded you up for the weight of your sins?" He's completely not serious in tone. The question is genuine, but he plays this whole thing like it's a lark, because that's what he's done about everything outside of Vietnam. How else does one deal with literal hell?

[hellboundheart]

"A superhero?"

John blinks before he presses a hand to his mouth to stifle the laughter that threatens to bubble free.

"You don't look like you're part of the Spangles and Tights Club or prefer your delicates on the outside of your clothes."

A deep drink of his whisky drowns any of the other witticisms that might have been about to follow. There's a reason most hate John Constantine, and it isn't because of his sparkling personality.

"I'm sorry, mate. You look more like the new generation, but a superhero? What's your power?"

There's no cruel edge to John's teasing at least. He's just amused at the whole idea of superheroes for his own reasons. Plus, information never hurts.

"Overrated? Yeah. I can see how it would be hard with the adoring legions or being sued for damages."

[ouijahands]

Klaus grins and shrugs. After talking to Adelaide earlier, he's already kind of aware that people might have wildly differing world experiences. He can parse that well enough thanks to Five, and anyway, he's used to just taking weird shit in stride.

"My power? Oh. I see dead people." He completely deadpans the delivery over the rim of his glass, burying his face in drinking to stifle whatever actual emotion he might feel at the thought. He figures this guy will probably take it as a joke, and that's fine. Haha, hilarious, all those dead people and their screaming. Hysterical.

"I guess I just sort of grew out of it. I had a troubled superhero family life, you see. You still didn't tell me what you were doing before you were so cruelly abducted to be roasted alive in hell or whatever."

[hellboundheart]

It's a real laugh that passes John's lips at Klaus' reaction, nothing sharp or ugly in it. Only real amusement. It isn't often he meets as 'superhero' that isn't full of themselves and immediately jumps on the defence when John says something.

That good cheer lasts right up until Klaus says what his power is. Were the demon able to go pale, he would. As it stands, his grin fades. Ghosts are a way of life for John, a hoard of the dead he's responsible for dodging his footsteps.

"Sounds like a shit power, mate."

Its a loaded question that Klaus asks, even if he doesn't know it. A generous drink of his is taken before he looks this superhero over... really looks him over. The good cheer is gone, but the smile remains there thinly.

"You're still seeing dead people. Gone about two years, mate. Little old lady on her way to church mistook the gas for the brake and ran me over."

He lifts his half-empty drink in a salute to Klaus.

"How'd you grow out it? Stop seeing the dead or give up the coloured panty brigade?"

As much as the family bit makes him curious, that's a subject John tends to stray away from unless hard pressed for an advantage. The whisky is warm, and he wants to know more about this man and all the others in the place. Even in Hell, or whatever this place of penance is, a few quiet moments are enough.

"Or you still got the ghosties following you about?"

[ouijahands]

Klaus finds himself joining the laughter, but he carries on for a minute after realising that John himself has stopped. His face falls a little, because he has no idea why anyone else would be as upset by his half-joking delivery...oh. Oh.

"Shit, you too?" he asks, incredulous. "You see them too?" That's the only reason he can think of for that particular reaction.

He takes John's next comment in stride, waving a hand. "Well, I mean, they did say we're in Hell so it's probably a moot point. I figure everyone here is a dead person. But that's not what I meant, which you telegraphed loud and clear that you know."

He could just drop this subject like it's hot, but he's never met anyone else who could see the ghosts and spirits before, so he can't help but wonder.

He waves his half-empty drink vaguely in John's direction. "Oh, I didn't outgrow them. I just drink to forget."

That's half true; he usually does much harder things than drink, but any port in a storm and all that.

[hellboundheart]

John's fingertip travels around the rim of his mostly empty tumbler. The hooked tip taps lightly against the thin glass before John lifts the glass back to his lips. Everything is better while drinking. It's something of a pleasant surprise that he can experience being intoxicated again with his soul restored. He lets a few seconds spin out as he searches for the right words to answer Klaus.

"Most everyone here is alive as far as I've seen, mate," he begins slowly, leaving out the fact that he is one of the few dead and damned milling about. "I don't know about the staff. They seem to be mostly demons to me."

Lying or distorting the truth via omission is easy. The rest about the ghosts? That's harder. "I see some, yeah. I don't have the Sight like you do, if that's what you mean."

No, John Constantine only saw the dead he was responsible for. Some had argued it a mental condition versus something he really saw according to Doctor Huntoon of Ravenscar.

"Pass the bottle, pet. I'm almost out. I don't know what you mean about this drinking to forget. I do it for the social value."

It's a flash of humour, on the gallows side but never let it be said that Constantine couldn't laugh at himself as well as the world. There's a quiet respect to his voice when he speaks next, willing to let it go if Klaus needs it to. He knows his own, but to see everyone's has to put a person near the edge. Or over it. At least in his experience with those with the Sight.

"Never known someone with the Sight to be a ... superhero. Usually too unstable. How do you fit in?"

[ouijahands]

Klaus considers that and finishes the rest of his drink before he bothers to talk again. He's a champ at downing drinks just to get drunk, and though he'd originally made the blue monstrosity to taste good, he doesn't really care about that just now. It's his own fault, of course; he'd started this line of conversation, because he just doesn't think before he says things. But consequences? From saying things? He has no idea what that is, or so he acts like.

He sets his glass down and grabs all three of the whiskey bottles he'd used to make John's drink a few minutes ago. He keeps the Jack Daniels for himself, leaving John a choice of Jim Bean or Johnnie Walker. Finally, he comes to the side of the bar where John is and flops himself wearily onto a stool.

"Well," he says, grandly, "the social value is an upside, isn't it?" He manages a wry smile before taking a swig right from the bottle, either forgetting or just not caring that this is a bar and not his private stash.

He shrugs one shoulder. "Oh, that. I'm not really a superhero anymore. I was as a kid. All my siblings were on the team, so it just kind of...worked. Except when it didn't." He doesn't mention that one sibling was actually not on the team. Talking about Vanya seems especially heavy, considering that his last encounter with her apparently landed him here in hell.