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

[latinumsbetter]

Who's baiting? [Quark holds up his hands, palms out.] It was just a friendly joke. [gosh!]

[markofnobility]

Good, because I have a mind as sharp as a steel blade.

[ he pokes his own temple with a finger, not seeming to notice its the hand with the wet rag in it, which gets clumps of his long ass hair stucking to it and ruining any image he was trying for]

[latinumsbetter]

Incredibly sharp and well honed, I can tell. [there's a dry tone to his voice]

Is that through years of doing cleaning work, or something else?

[markofnobility]

As the true born son of House Aegir, of course my schooling was top notch! The finest tutors in all of Fodlan.

[latinumsbetter]

Oh, nobility. Well, pardon me for not using the proper address. [Quark's tone lightens, though still carries a hint of amusement, as though he's indulging Ferdinand's peculiarities. He props his elbow up on some statue's shoulder, leaning on it.]

So, what is it?

[markofnobility]

Ah, well... as we are all equal as Seekers there is no need to any formal address.

[he looks a little... not exactly embarrassed- it's hard to say if Ferdinand has ever been embarrassed in his life.

More like shame that he's hiding behind his usual bright mood]

[latinumsbetter]

No need? [well that's not what Quark expected, but he is definitely picking up on that shame]

C'mon, now, it can't be that embarrassing, can it?

[markofnobility]

Embarrassing? Oh, no not at all! I am very proud of my lineage. I... if I had inherited my father's titles I would be Duke Aegir.

[ 'if' is so obvious he might as well be shouting it]

[latinumsbetter]

[With Quark's ears, he could have whispered it and he would have heard. But he does arch an eyebrow at that]

If?

[markofnobility]

His titles were revoked. For, ah, high treason.

[latinumsbetter]

Treason? [Quark's eyebrows arch higher, before he blows out a breath]

Whew! That's a hefty charge.

[markofnobility]

Indeed. And sadly very deserved. Gathering the evidence was difficult- he was Prime Minister. Such a rank makes hiding things childishly easy. But there was no denying it.

[latinumsbetter]

And who got all that evidence?

[markofnobility]

[he glances away, sighing]

The Emperor's information network is very skilled. And... I played my part as well.

[Digging up dirt on his own father felt as foul then as it does now. But it was the only way to be sure he would be tried fairly. If it was up to Hubert he would have been executed outright just like Marquis Vestra had been. Not that it mattered now.]

[latinumsbetter]

I see. So you helped take down your father. [he considers that] But they didn't give you his title as a reward or anything?

[markofnobility]

In theory the entire structure of our government is going to change. No more nobility- a country built on merit alone!

[He puffs up a bit]

I shall prove my worth to Emperor Edelgard and gain my place alongside her without any aid from my parentage.

... I suppose the fact that I lived was reward in it's own way. Hubert is not known to leaving loose ends.

[latinumsbetter]

Will you now. That's quite a feet, completely changing a whole governmental structure like that. Can't imagine what it's going to do to your economy.

[important things. But also--]

The Emperor Edelgard is pretty easy, but who's Hubert?

[markofnobility]

[Oh trust, he's thought on that kind of boring day to day government work where his Emperor really does not seem to. His duty as a future Prime Minster, and all that!]

Oh! He is the Imperial Spymaster and our armies tactician. He and I are the left and right hand of Lady Edelgard. The Twin Jewels of the Empire!

[ ... well at least his mood has turn away from the dour topic of his father]

[latinumsbetter]

...the Twin Jewels of the Empire, huh? Now I'd call that a better title than "Duke," I think.

[his smirk goes a bit mischevious] So, the Imperial Spymaster, not known for leaving loose ends, let you live, huh? And now you work side by side.

[markofnobility]

It certainly has a certain charm, does it not?

[he's very proud of it]

Indeed. We have not always got along, but we do work well together. Clearly he saw my potential, even if he refuses to admit it.

[latinumsbetter]

[He's heard this song and dance before. Quark's smirk widens a bit.]

S'that so? And why would he refuse to admit such a thing?

[markofnobility]

Because he is an obstinate, mean spirited snake of a man, that is why!

[latinumsbetter]

I know the type. [dryly] You've gotta have a lotta patience to work with a guy like that.

[markofnobility]

I will admit in our youth I did not have it.

[ 'our youth' as if he's not barely old enough to drink]

We fought viciously. Even now we bicker more than not. But I suppose time and exposure can smooth out even those rough edges.

[ oh he has it bad]

[latinumsbetter]

[The kid has it really bad. The fondness with which describes how they clearly didn't get along at first, but grew closer over time, even as they still bickered, is evident and edging towards something that's definitely more than friendship.

It makes Quark's lobes itch and his stomach turn uncomfortably in what he might have, at any other time, called jealousy. Which would be a ridiculous thing for him to feel. He wouldn't want someone in this guy's position to talk that way about him. Flattering, maybe, but certainly more trouble than it's worth. Besides, it would never happen, and even if it did, he definitely would not be interested. So there's nothing about this that should be irritating him, which is why there isn't.]

Lucky you. [Quark's tone is more dry and sarcastic and maybe a touch more bitter than he means it to be. So much for not letting that weird feeling get to him. He gives himself a brief mental kick in the rear, forcing a lighter, more easygoing tone as he continues. ] Sounds like you really enjoy having him around.