flawedmemes | TEST DRIVE MEME

TEST DRIVE MEME

01. ARRIVING IN PELEA
A cold wind singing down from the white-capped mountains which hang blue-black in the distance stirs your cheek, the tall grass all around you. A bough creaks as the wind makes it tremble, and the dappled shadows drift over you, leaves rustling. As you blink awake, you hear the quiet hiss of water over stones. You are not where you once were!

You and a large group of strangers are blinking awake, pulling yourselves up off the dirt, grass, and rubble near a small wooded stream. There is no evidence of civilization in sight, and as you exchange stories you realize that you must decide what to do.

Will you head past the trees and towards the mountains? Deeper into the forest? Stay put and wait for help to arrive? You might even try to meet everyone else, and either convince them to band together... or head their separate ways.

02. CITY SLICKER
There are many cities throughout the world of Pelea, and in most player characters, the Flaws, are welcomed as curiosities. From the pastoral villages or bustling, grand cities of Shousal to the massive, sprawling bureaucratic centers of the Empire, your characters will find a wide variety of cultures and races to interact with and investigate. They could be seeking empoyment, answers to the mystery of their arrival, or a quiet place to drink away their worries.

03. WILDCARD!

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The potential of viewing him as a treat seems to produce a reaction from Garahel, who recoils and huffs, repulsed. Reminded of another companion cracking jokes to her mabari about canniblism and being met with the same reaction, Inessa's lips twitch. "Mabari are rather intelligent and can understand much of what we say. Very little escapes him...and the only being he likes to hunt are those which can't speak."

Inessa relaxes slightly, glad that they're not actually intruding with their little campsite. She had selected this spot precisely because it seemed isolated, unlikely to belong to anyone. At that question, she perks up and nods. "Yes, actually. We arrived recently, through a...well, a rift, filled with glowing energy. I can describe it no better, not having seen anything of its like before. Is that what happened to you, as well? Do you know why this happens?"

Another soul lost in whatever enchantment has brought him here? There's a sense of camaraderie, and some of the tension from his body. His tail flicks lightly against his hind quarters and he doesn't hesitate to move closer to the fire now.

"Aye, 'tis the same predicament as my own," he nods. "The magic of the wood fell upon me and I awoke at a stream here in this land that has little likeness. I know not how I came to be here, or what path they would have us walk, but it is a strange land indeed."

She can't help but nod in complete agreement, a wry smile on her lips. "Very much so. I mentioned my mabari's name before my own, didn't I? I'm Inessa Surana, Warden-Commander of...well. It doesn't matter now, I suppose." She'll have to get used to leaving that title off, since she's not in any position of authority here. For all she knows, the world might not have any need of Grey Wardens. "We travel to seek answers, and hopefully find a means to return to where we're needed."

He tilts his head somewhat to the side, assessing her politely before introducing himself. "In the way of my people I am Na'Staza Zadh'Ilai, but in the way of Man I am known as Ilai, Emissary of the Staza. Though I may travel far abroad for the sake of my people, this world is the farthest my path has taken me." He bows his head and taps his front right hoof upon the ground in the formal way of greeting another.

"And though we may be afar from our worlds, we are who even now as we were then, whether the roles matter here or not. I would not have you withhold from yourself Warden-Commander Inessa Surana for my sake, if that be the cause."

That formal reply is met with a polite nod and small smile. Inessa appreciates manners; in circumstances such as theirs, it might be all they have. "You're kind to say so, though I know it's a mouthful. Just 'Inessa' is fine, unless formality is needed. Here, it isn't."

There's a brief pause, but she's too curious not to ask. "You speak of Man, but what are your people? Forgive me, but I have never seen any of your kind before now."

Ilai isn't surprised by her words, for centaur to many peoples may be legend or unheard of entirely, if they are not acquainted with them in some manner. The fact she is curious, but not demanding as he has experienced before is a pleasant change.

"We are often a more secretive people than not," he admits. "We are the Staza, though the humans have called us by many names. Horsemen, man-beasts, centaur. Though neither have I met the like of you in my travels." Then is a slight pause before he ventures further. "Might you be a fae?"

"A fae...fairy? Tiny creatures with wings? Those are largely myth, at least to my knowledge. I'm an elf; elvhen, in elven language. Elves were once the dominant race in my continent, though that hasn't been true in a very long time." Her tone bears no shame or sorrow at this knowledge; it is what it is, and that time was too long ago to have any emotional impact, at least for her. "If Staza exist in my world, they are either well-hidden or beyond Thedas."

Not wanting to be left out, Garahel barks. "And Garahel here is a mabari, a breed of dog magically bred by the Formari. They are extremely capable, intelligent war hounds fully capable of understanding speech and interpreting complex commands. I was fortunate to have one imprint on me."

There is a wrinkle between his brow as that is not the image he has been given of fae. "Perhaps what you know as fae are...separate from those I have heard tales of, for the stories are of fleet-flooted wood people, small but agile and one with the forest." He does not go so far as to admit the desire he had held for many a year to meet one of these creatures.

"I have never met an elf, either, so I cannot say if the ones in my world are alike to you." Then he gives a respectful nod to Garahel, for if he is as intelligent as Inessa says, it would be discourteous to not afford him the same respect he has given her. "We are well as well, hearty Garahel, if you do not find fault with my presence."

"'One with the forest'...ah, that sounds like the Dalish elves. I've met their kind but have little in common with them. City elves -and mages- lead a different life." She shrugs, pretty certain her only extensive experience wasn't typical, anyway. Nothing was typical about the days during the Blight, and needing to gather an army before it was too late.

Pleased at being addressed, Garahel perks up and barks happily, earning a smile from his mistress. "I believe he agrees, but then he is rather easy to befriend. Bring no threat, and the promise of attention, and he is content." Well, as content as a bottomless pit can ever be.

Diplomacy in the face of uncertainty has worked for him more than once, and it seems to have one so again, Ilai thinks. This elvhen woman is peaceable and her companion no threat to him now, so he allows the rest of the tension to seep from his shoulders, obvious to someone looking by the way his tail begins to swish about more casually.

"Elves sound alike to my people, for each village is different, with customs and traditions unto itself," he explains. "The farther the distance, the more different than alike our ways are. Although cities are not built to suit our needs."

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