LPM Test Drive

[letsplayamod]

The Inaugural Let's Play A Murder Test Drive



Greetings, mortals.

I thank you for accepting my plea. From across universes, I have summoned you to aid me in bringing light back to this land. Here, though, in this small pocket, we are free to relax for the moment. Steel yourself, and meet with me soon.

There is much to discuss.

Welcome to the official test drive for Let's Play A Murder, an experimental murdergame! Characters will work together to unravel an oncoming threat that strikes each week with something new to tear them apart. For now, tag around with potential picks for the upcoming game and get a feel for that sweet sweet murder CR! If you have any questions, please DM lightdrizzel

Threads from this TDM (and others if you so choose) will count towards the RP sample of the applications.

1 - I hardly think I'm qualified
Wherever you were, whatever you were doing... you're not there anymore. Instead, you've awoken on an unfamiliar but very soft bed. The room is sparsely decorated, ornate carvings of heroic figures intermingle on the walls with hairline cracks. This place has seen better days, but, possibly, so have you.

There is a nightstand beside your bed, as naked as anything save for an envelope sealed in wax. Inside is a letter written in a careful hand, welcoming you to this place; a safe area, free of those that would cause harm. Your host had to step away briefly, but she will return. In the meanwhile, she expects everyone to obey the rules of this place.

Included in the envelope was a small bronze key - to your room, no doubt. And luck - it unlocks your door. You're free to venture out into a semicircle of these homes you've found yourself in. And you're not alone, either.

Perhaps you should say hello to your new neighbors.

2 - To come across all sanctified
You've all become acquainted with each other, and met with your gracious benefactor. She had to dip out again, but has left you all with a veritable island paradise to explore. In the center pantheon, large profiles of each of you have been cast in the stone walls, details of your life chiseled beneath them in perhaps too much detail. Along with a set of rules cast on a bronze plaque. Seems straightforward enough.

Beyond that, it seems whatever information you'll gain will only be found by your own hand. You have the free time now, and it's a beautiful day outside. There's plenty to explore among the towering obelisks and half-standing temples. Just avoid trying to leave the edge of the island - a golden barrier will very rudely smack you in the face.

Feel free to make up locations for this. The island is anachronistic with all the amnesties of a modern home.


3 - I just don't cut it with the cherubim
Purple clown? What? None of that here. But once you've found out where to leave those tribute coins you've 'earned' there's a small pile of items waiting outside your door. Some of which you might even recognize from home.

Or perhaps you've been given twenty wooden cut-outs of... who the heck is this guy.


4 - There again they're on their knees
Training exercises! In order to discern your godly nature, what better way to start than a good, very old-fashioned obstacle course.

Balance across the beams, avoid getting beaned in the head by a swinging bat. Swing from a rope. Or, if you're really feeling up to a challenge, pick up a sword and meet someone's steel with steel.

Or you can sit back and prepare medical supplies. Someone's definitely going to get hurt.


5 - Being worshiped is a breeze
The sky darkens. Lightning overtakes the calm summers day. It's not long before the whole area is under attack.

From the very earth itself, monsters crawl from the ground; undead hands clutching rusted swords and shields. Digging themselves from their graves so that they can put you in yours. Somewhere, distantly, your mentor yells to take up arms, and is already lost in her own fray.

It's up to you to defend yourself, or to defend others. There's no honor in running away, but if you need to survive, it's not like anyone would blame you.


6 - Which rather suits us in the interim
Congrats! You've survived the onslaught. But even as the sky clears, an ultimatum has been passed down from on high; if one of your group isn't slain by the end of the week, then the world you belong to will be destroyed.

Surely, nothing would actually be able to accomplish that, but that faint hope doesn't remove the tension from the air.


7 - Oh my god
Seems that someone didn't want to take the chance.

One of your fellows has met with a gruesome end, and if up to you and everyone else to play detective and figure out just who did it. The hourglass is running out. Just try not to trip over any evidence.


8 - It's tough to be a god
Investigation’s done, it’s time for a trial! Perhaps you nailed it and someone's already confessing to their crimes. Perhaps you've been running around in circles, looking for anything that could move the trial forward. Maybe you all just decided to strip down, even if it wasn't necessary. Whatever the case, tensions are still high. Not just because you have to point out a culprit... but you have to lay down punishment for them too.

Majority vote decides, of course. This is a democracy, after all, but you can still waste time dithering on what to do next.

Comments

Ferdinand von Aegir | Fire Emblem: 3 Houses

[markofnobility]

ii

[ All of this was quite surreal, honestly. He was pretty sure he was dead, or had been close enough that even the best Faith spells would not be able to save him. That was... scary, but not surprising. War killed men, no matter who they were. He took to the battlefield accepting that. It was worth it to bring Adrestia to her new era.

Now a mysterious mentor was saying he had a chance to become a god? Even considering it seemed rather heretical. But godliness aside he was more interested in the awful state this world seemed to be in. If his place in improving Fodlan was lost, well... it was only proper that he use his skills to help another land! Such was the duty of a true noble!

But the world is a rather big place. Even just the small area they had on offer was a lot. And it was, as expected from what the mentor told them, in a sad abandoned state. He might not be able to change anything large right now, but he could do something more local.

So you will likely find him with arms full of cleaning items and tools...going around tidying. A lot. Not just sweeping and dusting but working on all the cracks and fading paint. Polishing the beautiful statues. Hair pulled back in a tail and skin damp with sweat... yet looking delighted with his honest work. It was not so different from the tasks he would do at the Monastery, after all.]

Oh, hello! Could you hand me that cloth please?

[Watch out or he might drag you into it.]

iv

[Now this is more his speed! Ferdinand is eager and willing to jump right to proving his worth, especially in physical matters. He does the obstacle course with barely a misstep- no one could say Ferdinand von Aegir ever slept on his fitness! Of course if someone calls out to him while he's focusing on it he will happily pause to wave... and get clocked by a swinging bat. Rip.

Later at the sparing area he is... not sparing. Oh, he INTENDED to, of course. But he is almost instantly distracted by the array of weapons. At this moment he is cooing over a 7 foot long dory spear, eyes alight]

Look- you would think such a long weapon would be completely impractical for infantry. And it's weight is too light to be used on horseback. But the butt end is set with a counter weight! The range you could manage while still keeping control must be impressive-

[He's going to keep babbling about it for hours if no one stops him]

vii

[Blood has been shed.

Ferdinand is no investigator, at least not when it comes to murders. A paper trail he can sniff out like an Aegir hound, but this is beyond his abilities. So he stays back, eyes occasionally flitting to the poor young man they found this morning, the back of his head caved in.

There's sadness in his eyes, but something else too. Something he has barely showed at all their time here: anger.]

What a cowardly way to die...

[When the threat came down he was one of the many insisting they could find another way. But less commonly he suggested if death could not be avoided that it be done in open battle. For fairness' sake at least. That... was shouted down rather quickly. This killing was clearly done from behind. An act of desperation. He can't help but stew over it]

ii

[calrippedso]

Oh, this one?

[Yeah, she'll pass it over. And kind of observe the work at hand for a moment.]

You gonna need help on this? These guys look sturdy enough I can probably handle it without breaking anything.

[She pats one of the statues- making it wobble slightly on its plinth before she steadies it, the moment of panic in her eyes mercifully brief.]

[markofnobility]

[He yelps and lifts his hands to steady it as well, even though his normal human strength would do nothing to stop it if it REALLY fell]

Whoa... Impressive! You are quite strong! As for cleaning, I certainly do not need help, but I would not turn away a work companion.

[calrippedso]

Ha, thanks.

[She gives the statue a second, more careful pat to make sure it's solidly back on its base.]

I'm usually more the move heavy stuff, punch what needs punching girl, but if I don't do something soon I'll go a little cabin crazy, you know?

[markofnobility]

Oh, I understand completely! I feel a bit anxious and jittery if I am not busy.

iv

[yourheroine]

[Does Aoi look like she can spar anyone? She probably couldn't hit her way out of a paper bag.

So she's content to simply observe and listen to Ferdinand's impromptu seminar on military weapons.]

You know a lot about spears.

[markofnobility]

Indeed, it is important to be an expert in such things when it's all that's between you and a foe eager for your death! Of course I am equally versed in all manner of swords and axes as well. And knowing a bit of magic is only practical, though what spells I know do not seem to work here.

[chatterchatter- at least he seems happy?]

[yourheroine]

[Is this how she earns Ferdinand's affection points? Maybe. She wouldn't be surprised if he's a legitimate romantic option where he's from.

Aoi's saucer-like eyes widen a little when he mentions all the other weapons he's an expert in.]

Whoa...do you fight a lot of people that wanna kill you?

Too bad magic doesn't work here...Aoi would be a better mage instead of a knight.

[markofnobility]

Umhm... my country is currently at war and I am a front line general!

[He sparkles in pride.... and tries not to think that he likely is not so anymore.]

Oh, do you know any magic?

iv

[stringup]

[ As Velvet listens to Ferdinand rambling on about the weapons, she isn't sure whether to be impressed by his sheer enthusiasm while doing so, or annoyed because this is the exact sort of person she has a hard time handling. Metaphorically speaking, it's a bit like getting an eyeful of the sun's glare even when she half-wonders that she should perhaps take notes, if only because it's also relevant to the special interests of someone else she knows back home. ]

I'm sure this is all very fascinating, but weren't you supposed to be doing something else?

[ Like, presumably, sparing?

—But not with her, obviously. ]

[markofnobility]

Hm?

[He pauses mid chatter and stares at his weapon]

Oh! Yes, indeed! Is that an offer then?

[He spins the massive spear with ease]

[stringup]

[ Rip Velvet, you tempted fate. ]

Do I look like I can even swing a sword?

[ She waves a skinny arm for emphasis. ]

[markofnobility]

[he eyes her waving arm with clear focus, pondering]

Hm... I see.

[He carefully puts the dory away... only to grab two light one handed swords]

So you are in need of training. Worry not, you could not have picked a finer teacher!

[One could ALMOST assume he was mocking her, but those earnest golden retriever eyes look nearly incapable of that level of sarcasm]

iii

[latinumsbetter]

[Quark has been observing Ferdinand for a hot minute, at least, with something like bemusement. When he's addressed, Quark does move forward to pick up that rag, studying it, folding it over on itself as he eyes the human (or, at least, what he's assumed is a human.)]

You like doin' this sort of thing?

[markofnobility]

[ ferdinand takes the cloth with a pleasant "thank you"]

Hm, perhaps "like" is too strong of a word. But I do find some satisfaction in it, especially when it comes to art like this. I have quite the collection of restored weapons and armor back home for the same reason!

... and it helps me think.

[latinumsbetter]

Something you have trouble with otherwise? [there's a upwards tick to the corner of Quark's mouth, something like a smirk, but his words are joking, friendly]

[markofnobility]

[ he huffs and turns up his nose, just exaggerated enough so it's clear he sees the teasing for what it is... something he would have missed not long ago]

Do not try and bait me, I have traded barbs with the best.

[ did you WIN any of those verbal spars though ferdie?]

VII

[tailoredfate]

A cowardly way to kill, more like. For this to be the end result, I don't blame him, for running from whoever did this.

[It... can be hard to read Aglaea, even with those with a skill for it. Her expression and body language don't really give anything away, and even her eyes are somewhat dulled into a flat neutrality. But the way she stares at the corpse before them...

She's seen so much bloodshed, in her long life. Red and gold alike. But the unpleasantness of seeing things like this never truly goes away, even with her waning humanity.]

Such brutality on a fleeing target... this wasn't some accident or crime of impulse. It takes intent for such a blow.

[markofnobility]

[Ferdinand nods, frowning deeply]

I have seen such wounds in battle. Brutal, but effective if you have the strength to do so.

[he sighs softly, rubbing his brow from a budding headache]

...it did not have to come to this.

[tailoredfate]

It didn't. But there will always be those who think nothing of altruism or the needs of others. Power, or their own selfish desires, can corrupt so easily.

[Ah, there it is - just the slightest edge to her voice.

For a thousand years, she's shed blood and fragments of her own soul for the people of Amphoreus. She felt her humanity peel away layer by layer, decade by decade. Even as much of a husk as she is now, such blatant waste of life, such pointless butchery...

It still manages to stir something inside of her.]

And all for threats and promises we've no idea are true or not.

IV

[catsgothistongue]

[Part of Ranma's repertoire as a martial artist involves using weapons. Though he's not actually checking out any of the ones available, yet. He was drawn in by the fanboying going on here about an ordinary spear. Ranma can't judge him too hard. If one were to ask him all the ins and outs when it comes to martial arts and the various techniques and styles crafted, he wouldn't shut up about it either.]

You know your way 'round spears. Use 'em a lot?

[If Ferdinand didn't pick up on his acquired audience, he might now from the pigtail teen's voice. Ranma takes a wooden bo, inspecting and twirling it in one hand lackadaisically.]

[markofnobility]

Indeed I do! They are the most practical weapon from horseback, after all. But do not think I am overly specialized!

vii

[tripartites]

[ well, it isn't unexpected when a body is found, following that threat. it's all too easy to goad or trick someone into taking another person's life, under the right circumstances. ]

The whole point is not to be discovered, after all. But... [ well. he does raise a good point on one front. sayo's knelt closer to the body, doing her best to look it over. ]

Do you think it's more likely they didn't want to risk a fight? Or that they didn't want to look him in the eye when they killed him? ...Or that they wanted to make it quick, before he knew what had happened?

[ she sounds pretty blasé about all of this. ]

[markofnobility]

It is hard to say. The victim did not seem to struggle or drag himself away. So the blow must have at least knocked him out in one strike. That... takes a certain degree of commitment to the attack. A hesitant blow likely would not have been so clean.

[tripartites]

So biding their time, then. [ a hum—but she's inclined to agree. whether the killer could only work up the nerve to strike decisively when the victim's back was turned is simply a detail, and mostly interesting for what it might say about the connection between killer and victim. ]

Is there any sign of the weapon...?