Test Drive Meme - November 2025
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Previous event: Log - October 2025. Next event: Log - December 2025.
The Test Drive Meme event on 2025 November 4 posted here. This was the event for November 2025.
FAQ Pages
[edit source]Full questions here
Event headings
[edit source]I. INITIATION
[edit | edit source]II. SALVATION DAY
[edit | edit source]A. SPECIAL DAY, SPECIAL OFFERS
[edit | edit source]B. COMMEMORATIVE PARADE
[edit | edit source]III. FAIR OPPORTUNITY
[edit | edit source]A. SEEKING STAFF
[edit | edit source]B. TALENT SHOWCASE
[edit | edit source]IV. THE VELVET CLAW (NOVEMBER EDITION)
[edit | edit source]IT'S FOR A GOOD CLAWS
[edit | edit source]THE SHOW MUST GO ON SEMI-ACCURATELY
[edit | edit source]PAID FUTILITY
[edit | edit source]V. NETWORK
[edit | edit source]
FAQ Questions
[edit source]| Information | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| #1
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-12-09 |
Slightly less belated than the other question I asked, but still belated: The new encrypted option. "There's no way to prove that they're encrypted", but if Rowan was looking into it with what they've already done with the network, what would they be able to discover? Would they be able to find out if they're encrypted so that the user is anonymous but Patho-Gen can still read the text of the message, or if the message itself is encrypted (with or without the user also being encrypted). |
With their general network prowess, as well as familiarity with the Karterian network from having been looking at it from the start, they probably would be able to determine whether the service is properly encrypted. And in this case: they would be able to find that Patho-Gen wasn't lying about this! There isn't any backdoor, secret access just for them: it really is genuinely encrypted, both in terms of message contents and the senders themselves. |
| #2
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-14 |
Hi, mods! Can Rinne and friends steal a car? Restoring a car from a junkyard would cause issues with the homeless population, so we plan for them to steal one from the wealthy or the government instead. If this is possible: 1. Since "the younger generation views cars as nothing but a type of parade-float", how fast do these cars typically go? Could they modify the car to go faster? 2. Can they hide the stolen car in the woods, or is the risk of being found too high? 3. For aesthetic purposes, what make of car would be possible for them to steal? (Otherwise, we'll go wild with it!) Thanks! |
It would certainly be a... challenge to steal a car from the upper class. During the parade it would be exceedingly difficult to succeed, given all the attention on them, and the owners are quite protective (and proud) of their cars. If they're planning to liberate one from someone's garage, that's also... hard. If they do have some plan for this: 1. The cars could reach 50-60 mph. If they have the knowledge and parts, they could hypothetically modify them. However, outside Karteria there aren't really roads any longer. There weren't that many leading outside the city to begin with (as the age of the personal vehicle had only just begun, and then abruptly ended), and they haven't been maintained. There is not anywhere to go with a car. 2. If they could make it out there... it's also probable that it would be found. There's not that many functional cars remaining in the city, and those that exist are monitored, tracked. Not because they're afraid of theft of the entire vehicle (as trying to move a car around the city would be very visible and quickly shut down), but instead vandalism, or the stealing of parts. There's some valuable metals in there! 3. The cars themselves would be along the lines of what's mentioned here. Vehicles solidly from the 1920s-40s in style. They're sleek, they're stylin, but they're not really all-terrain vehicles suited for roughing it out in the swamps of Asphodel Fields or the hilly, thicket-covered and tree-riddled Woods. |
| #3
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-11 |
This is completely unrelated to this log but wanted to ask for logistics for...reasons... In the previous TDM, it talked about pair bonds, but it also said this: Should the pair bond feel particularly mischievous, or want to explore the supposed power of their relationship, gestures of affection and care for each other will cause overhead lights to burst, or for the machine to overload and abort the procedure. In this room, like this, it may be possible for these characters to communicate telepathically... as if they needed such connection to know each other's hearts. Does "in this room, like this, it may be possible" refer to the conditions of the experiment and the machines, or is the telepathy something pair bonds can eventually do once they're strong enough? Just wanted to check. Thank you!! |
That's right, that's something that pair bonds can potentially do at any time! It has no connection to Patho-Gen's machines, nor requirements beyond the characters themselves being pair bonded. It's more that the particular consciousness of the situation, being told to focus on their imprint (and that imprint actually having developed into a full pair bond) during that bout of testing might have stirred an ability like that into being. (Of course, how easily achievable this is (and how inadvertently it happens) is up to the players. It could be that it requires deliberate concentration for both parties, or some manner of stress/agitation/strong feeling, or physical contact. It could happen fleetingly, or become a nuisance... whatever is more convenient for the players. There is probably something of a max range... like if one party is in Karteria, and the other Kelesis, it would be easier to just call them on the Syntrofos. A general awareness/feeling for their state would persist at all distance unless explicitly smothered by something, but telepathy should be more of a short-range bonus.) |
| #4
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-11 |
Can characters get any context from AntINKquity of where these books are coming from? Are they being brought or copied from the characters' worlds, or would it be a similar situation to the movies at the Valentia, where staff just view the similarities as a weird coincidence? | It's not quite like the Valentia (though it's likely that the movies that end up there are a part of the same circuitous route), as the staff at AntINKquity know somewhat more about what they're dealing with. Strictly speaking, they still wouldn't be able to confirm where anything came from- but there's a suggestion of 'sources' from within the Government or Patho-Gen, connections that go deep. They might even surmise this openly- that if the Augmented can be brought here from other worlds, maybe they can also pull objects? Or... somehow grab the data from somewhere, if not the material itself? They seem to find the idea a touch fantastical, but they're also enamored of it. While all good Karterians have a literary bent, those employed here are dedicated, and have a great love for research. To live in an age where they might read stories from other worlds... truly amazing, especially with how Karteria's literary scene has stagnated in recent years. What makes it onto AntINKquity's shelves is not going to be an original, but a duplicate, or something piecemeal that's been stitched together with any number of unrelated articles. The general staff don't have access to the originals (if they even exist), but are good about cataloging the things they are sent. |
| #5
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-11 |
Part of Saturn's association-based Golem powers for Being Plastic is that she typically has a sixth sense for what materials an object is made out of, and how it might be destroyed. She also has ANYWAY she's gotten permission from Hubert to poke at his retrieved Augmenter and would like to see if there's anything new (or fucked up) (or new and fucked up) she can deduce about the thing circa her powers~~! |
Unfortunately for Saturn, the Augmenter delivered to her arrives pre-broken. But with her uncanny ability for deducing these sorts of things, she should be able to tell a bit about how and why it was broken: It is only half of a 'complete' Augmenter (even a bit less than that, given that this part of the capsule doesn't have that much in it). The way it was connected to the other half is deliberately frail, built to detach on disturbance (which suggests that attempting to remove an intact Augmenter from a character will be difficult to achieve- not impossible, but difficult). It is also... unpleasant to hold. Mildly so, the sort of feeling that would be easy to brush off (or go unnoticed entirely were the character touching it already feeling stressed, or upset). It doesn't get any worse the longer Saturn (or anyone else) holds it, but it's always there, a background hum of pessimism, of apathy. As a Golem-type in particular, Saturn may be more 'conscious' of this infliction, this small deadening of mood. While there's no visible residue left on the capsule, it has been in close contact with Katalyth. The capsule itself is inert, it won't kill anyone to stay in contact with it (or eat it), but it's absorbed some of those bad vibes, in a way. The material of the capsule itself is otherwise sturdy- very sturdy, plasticy, artificial- made of some unknown composite material. It's only its connection to the other, missing half that's frail, as it's something that's otherwise built to seal off and protect its contents from the outside. |
| #6
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-08 |
Hello mods!! I saw The Valentia's dining hall provides meals for the Augmented. Does this include like...... dirt and non-organic matter for golem soul types... Things that would not be found in a kitchen per se but considered sustenance for them? | While the Valentia has gotten somewhat better about keeping around meals that suit different needs (or different palates), they have balked over keeping blood on hand for the vampire-esques (who may have their meals sponsored for an amount of time by visiting nearby clinics)... and they just haven't thought much about what Golems would need. (Few, unfortunately, think much about Golems in terms of 'needs'.) They would be somewhat confused at the request; why couldn't a Golem just... go outside, eat some dirt there if that's what they want? But they might be convinced towards keeping a box or shelf somewhere with an assortment of rocks (as it's not particularly off-putting, just odd). If other Augmented are willing to donate rocks/other tasty inorganic materials, they will start keeping them on hand to dispense on request (and who knows, they might even add any nice-looking stones they come across to the pile). |
| #7
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-08 |
Ty for this insight!! Would Golem-types be told by the Valentia about their dietary changes? It sounds like they might need to figure it out on their own, if people tend to forget about their needs... | Alas, they would not be told... the Valentia staff know a bit about some of the more mundane appetites, as they've run into a few different needs by now, but requests from Golems aren't something they've run into. (And Patho-Gen's own knowledge of these things is somewhat spotty... though they've attempted to crib somewhat from the information the Augmented themselves have gathered about their own diets.) So were a Golem to ask the staff as to what they should eat, they would be offered 'normal' Karterian food (gelatinous mayo) until knowing better. (If the Golem was Shifted, or otherwise thoroughly corrupted and visibly not-human, they might be told to report back to their manufacturer for refueling or recharging, or whatever it was robots needed. They're there to serve people, not things.) |
| #8
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-07 |
this isn't about the parents we're getting to the source. would the miscreant son be interested in a deal... all malkuth wants is a chance to put 3kon's music on the map of the rich young folk (surely they'll be into the rough crudeness of those carnivora they're all bad kids here) and in exchange for her shapeshifting to look like him and work at one of the jobs that an augmented proposes to get his parents off his back for a little while separately, since augmented have the chance to own businesses now, would it be possible to buy up one of the unfinished buildings in east sophia or would it still be a leasing situation? malkuth's willing to put in the long term work as long as it's "cheaper" upfront |
Miscreant Son: a deal made to spread the good word of 3kon: So. We couldn't figure out just how this lad would handle such a request. We let... a dice handle the fate. The roll was not favorable. Like, a 3 out of 20. While the rich son would take advantage of Malkuth's 'generosity' and let her work a job for him (hell yes, he can work and NOT do shit!), and he'd also humor whatever request she has about listening to 3kon's music and even spreading it around... He is not fond of the Augmented, and isn't able to acknowledge that it's any good past his distaste of them. The rough crudeness of the Carnivora-types is favorable compared to the cutesy Aves-types that so many hoity-toity folk like, sure, but he's not fond of them. The son says he'll listen. He says he'll tell his buddies. Whatever she wants. But he doesn't say he cares for it. In fact, he kind of treats it like a way to be mean when showing his buddies. Look at these things, trying to be normal! Weird, huh? It's really mean-spirited. Sorry, Malkuth... :c But it's not all bad. It's a start. If he exposes it to some of his friends, they don't all necessarily side with his opinion, even if they pretend to jeer and mock what they hear and see. They have to all agree with him on the surface, and make fun of it... but they might actually secretly like it. It's an interesting start amongst the rich, finding something that is catchy, new, unique... but that they're embarrassed to like. Buildings in East Sophia: WHY would you want one of those derelict things, a landowner would ask?! Additionally, the Government has problems letting any Augmented Ones own property in Karteria. Renting only! (Owning things is for rich people to do, and not for people who don't even live here normally?! (They really need to get over this if they wanna welcome in these otherworldly visitors, huh? B... baby steps.)) The answer to owning is: no. Renting, however? Yes. And renting a whole derelict building... It's possible that Malkuth can cut a deal with someone who owns property in East Sophia that they can cut down the cost of even renting a whole building if she promises to polish it up. It's still their property, they're adamant about this, but if she can make it shine... The dangers of this, of course, is that the landlord can revoke the deal after a contracted amount of months and reclaim the property, but we'd rather let this matter be whatever's most fun for you to play out. If you want Malkuth to find a fairly kind landlord who isn't going to steal back the property as soon as she gets it habitable, that can absolutely happen. To rent a whole building won't be cheap, and building/renovation supplies won't be cheap either. But with the help of some other Augmented Ones on her side, it might even be doable. |
| #9
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-07 |
If one kept their traits mostly hidden and went looking around in the crowd. Could they tell who was messing with them? And how wide spread is this rumor? Kaeya has been working on housing repairs all over the city…would he have heard it? |
Characters can locate the individual messing with them via Calling magicks, indeed. They are doing it on a whim, just because they heard about it! They'll be real mum about where the info came from. If pressed and prodded for deets, these magic-practicing Karterians have a he-said-she-said sort of web for where they learned this information from. A brother-in-law, who learned it from a work buddy, who learned it posited by a weirdo online via their various social media apps, who claims they don't know where they heard it from, they just thought about it on their own. ...It's not unreasonable, however, to guess that some part of Patho-Gen has disseminated this 'rumor' as a result of their experiments. What their aim is, however, remains to be seen. Would Kaeya have heard the rumor? Unlikely. Karterians would be sure to be quiet about this kind of talk right in front of an Augmented One. But if you'd like to thread it out, he could have absolutely overheard it if it's of interest! Of course, the rumor's source remains unconfirmed, though it would be very easy to assume where it came from, given the circumstances. All people who talk about this stuff in public spaces (or even in their own homes) would be non-Patho-Gen staff, or if they're Patho-Gen staff members they'd not be very important or integrated ones. |
| #10
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-07 |
would an arthropoda soul be able to detect who specifically was trying to call say, her bond-mate as part of the "detecting intent" part of their skillset? esp if she was perhaps riding on his back | Ooh, indeed. It'll be difficult, however. The interesting thing about the 'intent' of these parade-goers is that the 'intent' is fleeting before they actually try it, implying that it's very whimsy-sourced. They didn't come to the parade with the desire to try out magic tricks on the Augmented. It's more like a domino effect: the rumor's gone around, yes (its source cannot be traced but it's safe to assume it's some part of Patho-Gen responsible), and one person just... gets bored, and tries it out. Another person sees this and wonders if they can do it too. So while possible to find them through these means, it might just be easier to locate a Karterian focusing very hard. By the time they're done with the spell is when characters are sufficiently implanted with the urge, and at that point the 'intent' part is over. They'll probably look obvious by virtue of looking stupidly smug about the whole thing, too. If interrogated, their 'source' is a web of he-said-she-said. Their reason for doing this is because they were bored, and curious. Karterians are a curious-minded bunch, and a hypothesis deserves being tested! They will apologize, and say they won't do it again. They just had to see if it was true. |
| #11
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-07 |
Apologies for the silly question but do the books from AntINKquity come exactly as from their origin world or are they translated to the local language? | While most will arrive in the local Karterian language, if you'd prefer it to arrive in your character's native language, that can happen as well. |
| #12
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-06 |
crying im sorry mods what uh what if someone who is very much disliked by the government puts in a license request for a business he is a very legitimate businessman don't you see he just wants to do legal business and play by the government's rules :) :) :) |
Legitimate businessman Silco turning up to do legitimate business... what's wrong with that? The Government could very well be expected to balk, or laugh at the absurdity, the absolute nerve. Silco, who's been associated with trouble from the start, now wants an official license from them? However- and Silco could well see some evidence of this discussion, a flurry of activity behind doors open and closed- he's not rejected out of hand. There are delays. This is not a normal case, and after what looks to be a lot of deliberation, a lot of back-and-forth... Silco is indeed granted A License. (Do they actually trust him, or believe he's going to start playing within the rules? No, but the influence he's gaining in the underbelly of the city has caused concerns- and they think this may be one way to better keep an eye on him. To hassle, to distract. If Silco goes ahead with his very legit business, he may expect a lot of auditing, a lot of bureaucracy thrown in his way.) |
| #13
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-05 |
Apologies if it's mentioned somewhere, but Flins is a fae, and as such seems to use his lantern to feed. Would he be permitted to keep it despite it being a seemingly magic item? | Patho-Gen has made exceptions in the past for things like weapons or magical items during the TDM specifically. If the character absolutely needs that item to survive and there are no other workarounds... they may grant it. However, any other features the lantern possesses, if used for ill during this first month, will garner harsh penalty and surveillance. If the character can feasibly survive without the lantern, however, they won't be willing to give it over. They want to study it first, and learn its ins and outs! Magical items will usually be returned to characters upon acceptance, unless it's a game-breaking item or one that grants immense power. |
| #14
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-05 |
piggybacking off of this (lol) if someone wanted to sell goods (specifically art) to people or to take on commissions, is that considered a business requiring of a license? bonus if they sort of sell themselves at the job fair as someone who can do paintings, drawings, etc.? |
It's one of those gray areas, but for the most part, no! A Karterian would do the same thing at, say, a craft fair or during Salvation Day. It starts to become a "problem" in the Government's eyes when they start turning significant enough profit that they want to collect taxes on it... But nobody wants to enforce that kind of thing in RP. Generally speaking, if it's a main source of income for a character, they may require a business license but might not require a venue for that business, if that makes sense. You can follow your heart on this one. License or no, let them do art... |
| #15
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-05 |
How would the public feel about rides on a big dog, granted said dog were decorated for the parade with ribbons and curse, and was absolutely not above giving rides to people if it meant a few bucks here and there for the "get out of town" fund? | Whoa... rides on Big Dog... They might take some reassuring at first, but yes. Maybe if that dog weren't snarling and being as nonthreatening as possible, and decked out in those ribbons, they might be down for it. Just be nice, doggie! |
| #16
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-05 |
Hypothetically if an Augmented hung around the schlocky propaganda musical rehearsals offering a lot of unsolicited-but-technically-sound advice on the songs and singing and, to a lesser extent, the acting and dancing -- could that Augmented take over a role if a castmember became indisposed? Are there any cranky reviews, letters to the editor, or Syntrofos flame wars complaining the accuracy (or lack thereof) of any specific parts of the musical? |
If a castmember became indisposed?! Sheryl, what are you planning... If pushy enough, well... In most cases, the Peacock Musical will have understudies. But assuming all of these people are somehow indisposed, they might humor at least a rehearsal with an Augmented One. Do anything too off-the-cuff, and you're out. Amateur reporters would be happy to get the opinion of Augmented Ones about this show that was supposed to portray the magnificent Peacock! If they have complaints, it's a sensational news story! The Sophian Herald is an entertainment news group mentioned in a Concluded quest (under "CAN WE HAVE A WORD?") that might be interested in something divisive and shocking like this. They have a penchant, however, for exaggerating accounts... |
| #17
Topics: Edit question: edit
Answer date: 2025-11-05 |
Hello! There is a book I'd like for Aether to pick up, but in the game it comes in a few volumes. Would it be possible to get the entire set or some sort of compilation of all the volumes in one? | A couple volumes is nothing! They may hand him one specific volume, but if he asks after it the staff might go deep diving into their archives to find the rest of it, as you prefer. |
