downtheroots | MARCH 2015

Uncertain if this is a game for you? Curious to see how your character would act in it?

Testing the waters?

Then take them on this very first Home Tree Test Drive!

directions

❀ Don't forget to read the Introduction , our Rules and the F.A.Q
❀ Post with your character with their name and canon in the subject line.
❀ Use the prompt(s) given here or make up your own!
❀ Both prose and comment spam format are welcome.
❀ Tag around! Make friends. Don't be afraid to discuss OOCly while tagging.
❀ The Test Drive Meme can be used for your application's first person sample.
❀ This meme is is considered as OOC and not part of the game's canon.

prompt

Welcome to the Faerie Feast!

After your have gained your wings, you are met by a feast on the second floor with all that the forest can offer you. Tables and chairs are set up everywhere along the walkway between the houses, allowing the new visitors to meet and greet - or try to hide in the corners and eat berries all by themselves.

Try your new wings to be the first to grab those delicious crumbs of walnut bread? Or say hi to your party lights, courtesy of some excited glow worms and flies that just want to be your best friends.

Explore how your new gem works, try put your leaf clothes or decide to head further into the tree, seeing just what kind of place your have stumbled into. Maybe you will even get a glimpse of those hairy legs on the fourth floor?

Night Gem Wing Inspiration ❀ Day Gem Wing Inspiration

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Princess it is," he said, smiling. "Well, I can tell you a little about Falena, since you're interested. It's a great place, really -- we're just... kind of in the middle of a lot right now."

"Like I mentioned before, it's a Queendom, so only female members of the royal family can claim rightful rulership. Makes it a little tough on the sons; they're usually married off to noble families.

"Anyway, it's a huge country, but that's not too bad since the Feitas River runs through it and you can get around by boat. Most of the time, we don't have trouble with surrounding countries, either. I'm not saying we don't have our problems -- there are parts of our history that we should all be ashamed of. But things were really improving lately under Queen Arshtat."

She'll listen intently. As he continues to describe it, it sounds plenty different from her own kingdom, but a few of the similarities comfort her. Perhaps it's not so different no matter where you go? And of course, hearing that it's mostly peaceful is a plus, too. "I see! We're still a kingdom back home, though I am the rightful ruler of my people. I guess it's just how we phrase things, though..."

Clapping her hands together, she nods cheerfully. "Your Queen sounds like she's doing a lot to help! And you served her directly, right? What was that like? Was she a kind ruler?"

"Kind, huh?" Kyle paused for a moment to give this some thought. "I think she was a really kind person. I know her husband pretty much worshipped the ground she walked on, and she was always looking out for the Prince and Princess.

"But there's more to being on the throne than being nice to people, especially if you want to change how things work. That goes double if you need to deal with a bunch of stubborn nobles who like things just the way they are. Honestly, I disagreed with some of her decisions... but the people really loved her. Maybe that's what matters."

"I think it's important to be kind-- but that sounds obvious, doesn't it? You're right, it's definitely important to be strict, as well... there's a lot of things that make for a good ruler, and you have to be all of them at once. Believe me, there's plenty I've learned about that."

Of course, Princess Peach wasn't the epitome of strictness, but she did know when to put her foot down. It was a delicate balance that only a truly good ruler could do. "It sounds like she was wonderful. If the situation ever permits, I would love to visit... or have her as a guest in my own kingdom!"

"Oh..." Kyle looked a little awkward. "Well, I'm sure she would have welcomed you with open arms, but that'd be impossible now. She passed away recently, you see... the Queen currently on her throne is her daughter, Lymsleia."

To make a long story short, anyway. "I don't think Lym'll have much chance to travel anytime soon... but who knows? Maybe she could send that brother of hers. I think adventuring is really growing on him."

"Oh! Oh no, I'm so sorry... I don't mean to bring up such a troubling thing. Oh dear, I hope the new queen will be all right. Forgive me for mentioning it. But yes, I would welcome any dignitaries from your kingdom with open arms. If you just send a letter in advance, I'll have a room prepared for them in my castle and everything!"

It was an extensive offer for someone she hadn't even met, but being welcoming towards royalty was always important, wasn't it? "You, of course, are also welcome! Any good and honorable knight is welcome to visit in my kingdom."

He smiled. "Thanks, Princess. It's always nice to know you're welcome. I'm sure she'll be fine -- she's got a lot of people to help her out, and she won't be able to skip out on her lessons now that she's got that crown.

"But I've been talking all about my country! Tell me a little about the Mushroom Kingdom." Kyle sat down and put down his drink, looking expectantly (and maybe a little playfully?) at her.

"Oh, of course, I'd be happy to talk about it! The Mushroom Kingdom is vast-- we have denizens of all kinds! The people who live in Toad Town right next to my castle are called Toads. They're peace-loving people, and they love to throw parties and go go-karting and all sorts of fun things... I'm sure it'd be peaceful all the time if it weren't for Bowser and other nefarious criminals! But, ah, that's no good to talk about. Let's see..."

She folded her hands in her lap and thought about it a little more, organizing her thoughts. "We have many ports, and many people we trade with. We usually get visitors from all over, from the Shiver Region to Flower Fields. Lately, all kinds of people have been dropping by!"

"Oh yeah? Are they actual, y'know..." Kyle mimed the hopping of a frog. "Sounds like a blast, though. Are you an island nation?" Since she'd mentioned those ports and all...

"I don't think there's any country that's completely free of criminals -- we've got a bit of a bandit problem in some regions ourselves. But they're nothing to worry about as long as you've got a good head on your shoulders. Can't let a few bad apples ruin the barrel, y'know?"

"Oh! They're not frogs, of course not-- they're just the residents of the Mushroom Kingdom." Who happened to be mushroom people, but that didn't seem too important to mention. They were just ordinary people, after all! "Oh, no-- we're just on the shore of the ocean."

She nods with a small smile, but it's quickly replaced by a soft sigh. "I wish we had bandits instead of the usual grand kidnappings and takeovers, they can be so tiring! But I shouldn't complain. I love what I do, even if I get into trouble from time to time."

"Oh, well. The reason I was asking is that we've got a population of Beavers. And they really are beavers -- the fuzzy kind, with the big front teeth. They're great with carpentry." What a mysterious place Falena was...

He looked a little surprised. "You've got kidnappings and takeovers? Wow, that sounds like an awful lot to worry about. But you must be pretty tough, if you've been through all that."

[ ooc; keyboard died, sorry I've been so slow getting back to this thread! ]

"Oh! They sound adorable... We have all kinds of people who live in the Mushroom Kingdom. I don't think any of them specialize in carpentry, though! But we do have penguins who specialize in murder mysteries!"

Penguin murder mysteries, you heard that right.

"Oh, it's just something that comes with the job. It's not really a big deal... even if it can be particularly stressful sometimes! I just wish there was a way to keep my people safe all the time, instead of just getting into trouble so much. Maybe I should send Bowser away on a vacation...?"

"Pen-guins? Never heard of those." Maybe they were part of some kind of constabulary? Either way, investigating murders couldn't have been very pleasant work.

"Well, it's impossible to keep you people shielded from all harm. I think the best you can really hope for is to leave them in a place where even if you're gone, they'll be able to fend for themselves for a little while. But what do I know? I'm just your run-of-the-mill knight. So, who's this Bowser character?"

MARCH 2015

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no worries!