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

[followhim]

You're plenty threatening without any help from me. [ is that some kind of compliment? maybe it is, in a way. ]

We're not doing that. [ sure, he has anger issues, but not so many he would do a knife fight in the torture room. he puts more of his not exactly human strength into pushing past her. ]

I dunno why this has to be a thing.

[wickedlupine]

[ That earns a smile from her, albeit a dark one. Always nice to be reassured that she's not losing her touch.

This time she doesn't outright try to stop him but she doesn't move out of the way either, making him actually have to push past her. It might seem like she's being difficult (she is) but more so she's trying to gauge his strength. Definitely not human, so what then?

She doesn't reply right away. Mostly because she decides to exert some of her own very-not-human strength to make an effort to push him against the opposite wall and get in his space. Not to pin but simply not ready to let him walk away just yet, and maybe a bit curious what kind of reflexes he's working with. ]

What are you? [ Her voice is lower when the question comes, meant only for the two of them, her eyes sweeping over his face, looking for telltale signs of anything that might give her a clue. ] Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine.

[followhim]

[ the answer is: very good reflexes. that was a talent of his before becoming a vampire, and now they're on lock.

that said, he doesn't run away. he's fast enough to do a sonic the hedgehog zoom, but he's not so sure she wouldn't catch him. because, much like her, he's not so sure what she is beyond "not human." he basically just swivels away from the wall, remaining close and in her business.

as much as ptsd made him feel/act like a rabbit, the part of him that's always aggressive (most of him) is starting to wake up from its nap. ]

I'm a vampire. [ there's no use in trying to throw a blanket over it, even though he's still not very comfortable in admitting it or talking about it. it was, in fact, a Mistake. ] What're you?

[wickedlupine]

[ Impressive. She's reminded, for a moment, of a feline shifter. Something about the quickness and fluidity. The way he doesn't seem to miss a beat.

And then both brows lift and she looks at him with clear interest, leaning in slightly to get a better whiff of his scent. ]

Interesting. You're not from my neck of the woods, then.

[ For the first time Raina gives him a look-over, and there's nothing sexual about it (surprising for her, really), sizing him up the way she would a new wolf if anything. She's dealt with plenty of vampires over the years. Even used to have a business venture with the Master of the City. She would be miffed at herself for not catching on if she didn't already have some familiarity with the whole "multiple worlds and multiple realities" thing. Granted, the last time around was much more of a vacation for her — a new lease on life, really — than this place looked set up to be.

Her gaze returns to his face and as she looks at him her eyes change, the perfectly human shade of green quickly replaced with the amber eyes of a wolf. ]

Werewolf. And no, we're not mortal enemies where I come from.

[followhim]

[ fwiw, he doesn't look that different from your average human. he is a slightly pale average human. except when he gets real still or moves real fast. or doesn't breathe.

how does he explain that he's not even from his own neck of the woods? it feels like a long and complex story for someone he's not even feeling that trusting towards.

he does know, from one of the stray rice grains of knowledge that camille actually bestowed upon him, that vampires and werewolves don't get along. he met one (1) werewolf on zhautas who called him leech and basically treated him like a non-entity. or dirt on the ground. it didn't leave a good impression. ]

Good to hear. Are you done trying to get me to go into the torture room with you, then?

[wickedlupine]

[ She gives a little laugh, one side of her mouth curving upward. ] For now, little rabbit. [ The teasing tone is more warm than threatening, at least. Whether it's purely teasing or not only time would tell.

Blinking, her eyes shift back, and Raina actually takes a half step or so back to allow a more comfortable amount of breathing room between them. Now that she knows what he is, it changes her view slightly — or at least the options that come to mind. And that little display of his reflexes makes her wonder how his other abilities measure up. ]

Can't say I've noticed anyone else like us yet. Just assorted demons and mortals. [ At that point she regards him with some curiosity again. ] What do you feed on, where you come from? [ Given this is a hellscape, she wonders if whatever force brought them all here has made proper arrangements, or if they're hoping for a hungry vampire to cause chaos. ]

[followhim]

[ okay, yeah, no, he's nipping this "little rabbit" thing in the bud. he's not laughing with her. ] It's Poe. Poe Dameron. Not rabbit.

[ just as much as he doesn't like id-ing himself, he doesn't really like being lumped into the "like us" either. it's true, he can't argue it, but he still feels like a square peg in a round hole. because he made a mistake. ]

What do I — [ oh, she doesn't mean "blood." she means like… people. ] Where I was before, they stocked blood like normal food. … And they have some in the kitchens here.

[ he didn't love asking, but he loved the thought of losing control even more. life is awesome 👌 ]

[wickedlupine]

[ While she presses her lips together like she's keeping back a grin or smirk, she refrains from provoking him further. ] Fine, fine. Pleasure to meet you, Poe. You can call me Raina.

[ The mention of the kitchens is new information to her, and useful at that. She hasn't made it that far in her exploring. ]

Hmm, good to know, that whoever or whatever is in charge is so thoughtful. [ Her tone borders on sarcasm at the end, saying well enough that she doesn't trust the generosity. ] Pre-packaged is never as satisfying though, is it?

[ She's regarding him thoughtfully again. There's too much she doesn't know about this place and she doesn't like that, but it's also never too early to plan ahead. And non-humans always made better allies than humans. ]

[followhim]

[ he's done enough of "i'm trying really hard not to think about where this came from" with the vampire portion of his run with zenith. he can just continue not thinking about it, that's fine.

but — as someone who lost control a few times and sampled a few friends, he can confirm that people (humans and non) come in a variety of flavors. like popsicles. and the capri sun packs were like orange popsicles — not disgusting but very middle of the road. ]

That's mostly what I was having before. [ he offers a shrug. ] I'm not big on hurting people.

[wickedlupine]

Yes, but was that by necessity or by choice? [ There's not an ounce of judgment in her question; she might as well have been asking if he frequented a certain restaurant because it was cheap or because it was genuinely liked.

And there's another little useful nugget of information given freely, that he doesn't like hurting others. Which makes her specifically curious how he ended up a creature that can so easily do just that. Especially a young, jittery creature in a strange place and possibly without friends or acquaintances around. ]

In a place like this, I wouldn't count on supplies always being stocked. Especially if other vampires show up. Or that it's not tampered with. [ She remarks, and she does honestly mean it. (It's what she would do, maybe, possibly.) ] And you're fairly young, I take it? [ Raina leans in slightly again, scenting the air. Definitely no centuries-old vampire at the least. ] Probably need to feed regularly.

What if you had a fresh and willing source?

[followhim]

Choice.

[ mostly. at the end of the day it was less horrifying than bringing other people into it and potentially losing control again. especially when he could go into the facility kitchen and grab a capri sun pouch. it was safe and easy. his self-control is lodged pretty firmly in the "okay" zone. temptation is scary?

she is making some good points, though. this hotel is smaller (and somehow sketchier) than zenith, and he's not sure how many other vampires are around (if any). or how likely it is for them to put something in the blood. there are a lot of questions here.

he doesn't dignify the second question with an answer, mostly because he moves right along to ]

What do you mean?

[ finding volunteers: not even a thing he considered. he had one volunteer... who ghosted on him. that was cool. ]

[wickedlupine]

It would be one less thing to worry about, and I'm sure worries and concerns won't be in short supply in this place. [ Call it a hunch. ] If you didn't need to worry about whether or not you had a consistent food source that would be a large stress off your shoulders, which I'm sure you'd appreciate. I know at least when it comes to young wolves, being stressed out has a way of leading to accidents and losing control. I'd assume it's similar for anyone not human.

[ Raina feels confident to do more than merely assume, but she's not trying to point out potential shortcomings or make him feel like she's doubting his ability to control himself. All she's doing is laying out a few details, a few things to consider, and she's even being kind enough not to dramatize the matter. It's not the time or the place, and there's no need for it, really. Not in this instance. ]

Where I come from, my kind tends to help out yours with such matters. Shifter blood is more potent than the healthiest human, and we can't get sick so there's no risk of tainted blood.

[ It wasn't something she did, in part because her blood was even more potent and strong being as she's an alpha, but this is a different world and that meant a need to be adaptable. A little blood now and then would be a small price to pay for someone she wouldn't need to worry about trying to stab her in the back. ]

[followhim]

[ "being stressed out has a way of leading to accidents and losing control."

yeah that sounds about right. for his entire life. that's the mr. toad's wild ride he's been living.

as previously noted, his other volunteer blood bag ghosted and he's pretty sure he scared that person off… if not forever before, definitely forever now that he's in hell. it sounds too good to be true. his expression is dubious, but still curious because what if it isn't too good to be true and is actually just good? ]

You'd do that for me?

[wickedlupine]

[ Normally she might string someone along for a bit, or at least make them ask for what she might choose to offer them. Make them offer something in return, make sure they knew they were in her debt and not the other way around.

But in this case the two of them have already had a little battle of wills, so to speak, with the way she came upon him. And honestly she doesn't know what he could offer her past his preternatural abilities (well, she knows what anyone could offer her, but she's keeping things "professional" for the time being) so drawing it out seems silly. Besides, helping to manage a young supernatural that might lack control from time to time? That in itself could be a useful bartering tool with others, if she should need to take that angle.

So, in a move that would surprise most who knew her back home, Raina doesn't reply with some demand or condition of acceptance for her offer. ]

Yes, I would. I'm sure whatever your feeding needs, I can handle it.

[ She holds out one hand to him. ]

What do you say? It'd be nice to have one person here that I don't have to watch my back around.

[followhim]

[ this is suspicious. this is too good to be true. he's starting to be distrusting of slightly sketchy women who come into his life offering things that seem just a little too good to be true — that's how he got into the whole vampire mess.

but he doesn't have anyone else. this is an exciting new hellscape. and he now has at least... some kind of ally? maybe? interested in keeping him alive. far be it for him to look a gift horse (wolf) in the mouth?

for now. it's all kind of tenuous, but he'll give it a change.

he reaches out to shake her hand. ]

Yeah. Thanks. We oughta look out for each other, you're right.

[wickedlupine]

[ There's no posturing in the handshake, just a simple shake of agreement and acceptance. Nor is there a wolfish flash of teeth in the slight smile she gives him. It's downright calm and friendly.

Truly, those back home — especially the one who killed her or any of her ex-partners — would wonder what was wrong with Raina for her to act in such a way. But being confined to the spirit realm had been a learning experience, and when she'd gotten a new lease on life far removed from her own world she'd taken advantage of the opportunity to explore a bit of a different path. And she'd still be enjoying it if not for inconveniently being dropped down here.

So perhaps she's mellowed a little. Whether it would stick in a place like this only time would tell. ]

Indeed. No telling what tricks might be up the sleeve of whoever's in charge here. Some sort of devil I assume. [ She lightly shrugs; common religions weren't her strong suit, and she'd never had need for that sort of thing herself. ] Or what other people we're stuck here with, for that matter. At least if we're lucky most will be too concerned about the demons and hell creatures to worry about any non-humans among them.