escordvi | « december: winterstide (test sail) »

Entry tags:

« december: winterstide (test sail) »

Welcome to the Test Drive Meme for

escordvi! Anyone can participate in the test drive, regardless of invite eligibility. Just keep in mind that only those who have received approved invitations from the mods and players can actually reserve on December 25th and apply on January 1st. Our EMP/ATP can be found here.

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice | TDM (IF TDMING). Current players can use the same header, just without the "TDM" label. We do require those who are TDMin'g to include the label so other players can distinguish between others.

For everyone's convenience, TDM threads can be carried over in game if you wish! If you are still unsure which armada to place your character, you can play it a bit loose and vague in the TDM and make retroactive changes if you carry over the threads. The log itself is set to cover starting from December 13th until the end of the month. Characters will appear at random intervals during this time rather than all at once, so players have some more flexibility on how much more adjusted they are for someone else.

If you have any question about the TDM, comment here. If you have questions about the game in general, please comment to the Game Info.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated December 23)

GETTING STARTED

This section can be timed for any time after December 13 until the end of the month, which includes during the current event. These prompts are to benefit those TDMing, but this portion can be handwaved instead and be served as a reference for players to know what their character will have experienced and learned on arrival.

STARTER SHIPS

There are two ships that serve as starting ships for each armada: Stormbringer for the Corsairs, and Royal Fortune for the Paladins. There are various ways new arrivals—or riftfarers as they will be called, among other creative names—will appear on or by these ships.

🚪 Random room. It could be empty, filled with crates or supplies; down in the hull where the livestock are kept; have the luck to awaken in a bed...or the misfortune of that bed already occupied; somewhere in the kitchens; in the bathroom—any room! Now let's hope the doors can open or someone may have to try and ask for help. Or jump through the porthole if there is one and it's above water.
⛵ On deck. If not in the ship itself, another possible spot to wake up to is somewhere on the maindeck. If they're lucky, they're on the deck itself. More unfortunate souls may find themselves caught in the sails or netting, the crow's nest, or on the top of the masts. Someone should be able to help, right? Or catch.
🌊 In the water. The most unlucky sods will find themselves appearing in mid-air just past the ship and plummeting straight into the water. Good news, there's always someone on the look out for such a thing and calls for help to throw a lifesaver get the rowboat will be made. Are there sharks? Well... ...Are there?

However the new riftfarers arrive, they will be poorly clothed, practically rags or loose uniforms depending on the ship. Fortunately, veteran crewmates will guide them, escorting them to a room with a strange typewriter in it. After typing their name, the typewriter will magically continue and type by itself at a fast pace until it dings and rolls out the paper. This paper will have the following information:

• Name and Shellphone ID (journalname)
• Armada (Corsair or Paladin, will match the starter ship)
• Cabin Number for their personal cabin on the starter ship
• Apartment Address for their personal address at their base armada location
• A basic map of the starting locations in Eltrut, including written directions (continued in the Eltrut section)
• A basic map of where they can find a chest with their original clothes and belongings (this will be different for every person and will be anywhere either on the starter ship or on Eltrut—players can be creative here).

After that, the crewmate will do their best to explain the basics of how they got here, what's going on, and what they'll need to do to live in Escordvi while they are here, giving them a small leather pouch with money. They will be reaching Eltrut soon, so the crewmate will suggest they look around, meet the others who have arrived. Even from their distance, they will be able to see the giant sea turtle that serves as Eltrut's leviathan.

ON ELTRUT

Once in Eltrut, the new riftfarers will be greeted by several birdfolk who will be happy to give tours to those who may need them. Otherwise, anyone is free to roam as they please and will have a map for the following main places they should visit.

🐚 Microshell. The first stop that is encouraged will be Microshell, the main store to acquire their own personal Shellphone. The paper they received on their starter ship will have their ID and the staff at the store will set them up, explaining how the device and the network works.
✒️ Inkwave, Tattoo Parlor. The next stop is Inkwave, a tattoo parlor run by a very burly but friendly octopus, Knistej. Here everyone receives their own unique magic tattoo, allowing anyone to cast specific single element spells and other magic. Note: tattoos are required before anyone will be able to use their original magical abilities.
📜 MANTA office. The final stop is the MANTA office, where all the request, mission, and task notices are posted. Each armada has their own branch office for armada specific notices as well. A great place to find jobs to earn some cash so they don't stay a hobo forever.

WINTERSTIDE

As December continues on and, in some places, the cool air of winter starts to blow through, many are preparing for Winterstide, a time where the islands practice an array of tradition depending on where they live. And to help herald its coming, The Frostsinger soars through the skies on her sleighship pulled by jackalope and singing a song. Wherever she passes, even the grumpiest of grumps will feel a bit more cheerful—if for just a few minutes.

As part of her gift, since the leviathans are situated in warmer waters, all leviathans will have large sections of snow deposited in a designated area, along with special winter clouds to keep it falling throughout the month. It's enough to create small ice rinks, build snowmen, and just enjoy the experience of having snow in an otherwise relatively warm location. Some innovators have also tried to create snow machines to spread the snow around town…but there are a number that will malfunction and either produce wet sludge or dump way too much snow in a small place.

But even so, everyone is enjoying the season, and local traditions are going in full swing. While each leviathan has their own unique traditions, there are a few that are shared between them all.

🦇 Mistletoe Bats. While there may be some sprigs of holly hanging around doorways, there is a special species of bats with wings of mistletoe leaves and cute little red heads. They will fly around and bite people, making the bitten want to either kiss or fight others. How severe the effect is up to the player. Some might want to "kiss" to the cheek (either by mouth or fist) or some might want a full "passionate" session.

🎁 Gift Giving. Although the Frostsinger will deliver gifts herself later in the month, anyone can give a special gift to friends and loved ones at any time. The Corsairs in particular will be on a "mission" to try and regift items from obnoxious nobles to those more fitting or in need of it (or pocket it for themselves—it counts). The Paladins will be on charity work, making and crafting toys and needed goods to hand out to those less fortunate.

🍭 Candy Cane Dare. A special challenge targeted towards couples, but can be played by anyone. Each person takes one side of the candy cane and starts biting off a piece each turn. Will they meet in the middle? Or will someone break away before?

🎀 Ribbon Dance. Little birds will randomly attach a colored ribbon to an individual and should they decide to participate, they must find a partner with the same colored ribbon. Multiple individuals will be in a color "group" so there will be more than one option. Once partnered off, they must bind their wrists with the matching colored ribbon and dance together until the ribbon falls off. For those who may be shy, the magic ribbon may just choose the partners for them.

🏖️ "Sandmen." Although the Frostsinger provided some snow, most will take to the sandy beaches and make their own snowmen and sculptures—with sand. Who can make the biggest one?

🥘 Food Contests. Both Nogard and Elah have their own version of food competitions, and are both vastly different. In Nogard, participants can only use the meat they hunt and gather their own ingredients, and are tasked to create the wildest dish possible. In Elah, ingredients are provided, but their dish must have impeccable and elegant presentation.

🦢 Boat Parade Competitions. There are numerous boat competitions held throughout the month, as well as the opportunity to parade one's boat with all the decorations fitting for Winterstide. Some will go all out, with decorative lights, ornaments, and streamers. Others will try to build a boat themed specifically Winterstide. Whether they are seaworthy or not, eeeh.

In Nogard, one particular fun tradition they like to do is to cover a large number of buildings with snow and race over them, carrying a bag of "gifts" and using their skills to avoid obstacles in the way. Participants can try to intervene and even steal the bag, and those who succeed can keep the goods inside (mostly low quality gems, basic equipment accessories, discount coupons, and doubloons, but hey free stuff is still good stuff). Scrimshaw is another tradition that, while done throughout the year, becomes more popular during Winterstide as there is an abundance of bone and makes for good gifts for anyone. Some even hold contests to show off their skills, and there are several whale bones standing by the ports where anyone is encouraged to carve their own design as part of a larger mural.

As for Elah, they have paragliding kites, where one is challenged to not only craft their own paraglider kite, but then fly it over the air streams produced by Elah. A successful flight will reward them with a nice pocket of doubloons. Another tradition they enjoy is to gather in the center of the Plaza Fontea where the water fountains will be dyed various colors that can be used to paint murals and canvases all over. It's a wonderful way for anyone to express themselves and perhaps even create a special gift.

Finally, all leviathans receive special offerings provided by the locals, usually various foods or random trinkets that can serve as decoration for the temples designated for each one. In Eltrut, one simply has to sail around its shell to a special pier and follow the mossy ridge up to a carved in ridge where the building is to leave the goods. In Elah, a ride on the sky gondolas which will carry visitors directly to the temple where caretakers will collect offerings. In Nogard, a more arduous task of entering through a guarded and sealed door and traversing through the leviathan's cavernous underbelly must be taken, walking all the way to the temple in its gut to deposit the goods.

YOTELSIA: TOY ISLAND

[note: all threads featuring Yotelsia prompts are worth 4pts due its special quest-like nature.]

Midway through the month, reports are coming in of lost contact with various ships that have sailed out to Yotelsia and have yet to return. This is an island known to belong to the Frostsinger, and every year during Winterstide she allows access for those to "harvest" toys and materials for the increased sales. The Frostsinger herself is too busy to investigate, so she makes a formal missive requesting those willing to investigate.

Those who venture out and near the island will notice the changes almost immediately. The once fluid water becomes choppier…and blocky to the point where most ships must either use equipment similar to ice breakers to get through, or stop completely before risking damage from the strange green and blue blocks that now float and fill the waters surrounding the island.

🌉 Building blocks. The blocks are large enough to carefully hop and cross over, even able to connect the blocks to form pathways and bridges to get to the shore. Some might even try to make rafts out of them to float through the gaps.

🚢 Empty ships. Previous ships can be found anchored…and mysteriously empty. Investigating the ships will find no traces of the crew. Only random toys littering the deck. Wait—did one just move?

📦 Toy collection. Those who do not want to venture further can start collecting the toys on the ship or try to figure out what happened to the crew. Later, once the curse is revealed, those unaffected by it may try to gather the curse stricken sailors to put them in a safer place.

As they near the shore, they will see lots of random toys scattered across the beach, as if dropped without a care. However, something seems to be…hopping? A plush rabbit?

"No!!" a squeaky voice tries to shout out, frantically waving its small arms as the words barely carry over the wind and the sound of blocks bumping against each other. "Go back!! The curse—!!"

At that precise moment, the sound of a xylophone rings through the air, and whether people made it to the shore or are still on the blocks, they will find themselves surrounded in a strange mist. And in the next moment…

They have taken the form of a toy.

With some despair, the rabbit plush will reveal himself to be the captain of one of the most recent merchant ships to have arrived. He explains there is a curse on the island, changing everyone into living toys but only for a limited time—two hours. The rest of his crew and some others are scattered across the island trying to find a way to reverse the curse, but the grim consequences of what would happen if they don't can be found by the motionless toys gathered on the beach. Living or dead, they don't know, but everyone has stiffened up to become completely inanimate, colors completely dulled, and with only sometimes a twitch here and there. But even as he feels his own body starting to stiffen, Captain Rabbit (Robert) has been trying to gather those unfortunate enough to be trapped to try and keep them relatively safe.

"There's a rat in there, we've seen him. Used that damn xylophone on us and hid somewhere in that tower. Find him and break this curse before it's too late!"

The island itself is made completely out of "toy materials"—fabrics, felt, wood, metal, cotton. There is nothing "living" here, including the plants. Felt trees, plastic bushes, popsicle stick cliffs, building block hills. It's a mishmash of everything with no rhyme or reason. And usually there is nothing living here, just plain toys. But the curse has "breathed some life" into everything.

🕷️ Hostile island natives. There are "animals" and "monsters" that could harm them (but not kill), so beware. That plastic spider with the silly string webbing will happily wrap anyone caught in their web, even if they won't actually eat anyone. Or that plastic tiger might want to pounce, though lack of actual claws and teeth won't do much more than rip a few seams or leave scratches. Good news is, a nice whack will stun them or even fall apart.

🛹 Getting around. It's going to take a while to trek through the island on foot. Not only that, but all abilities and magic are reduced in effect, even modified to fit whatever toy form they have taken. Perhaps those who are more creative can try and build a vehicle from the materials around. Or tame a toy animal to get around. There are even race tracks that could help speed things up. Assuming one can stay on it.

🐇 Free the Jackalopes. The Frostsinger's trusty jackalopes had tried to investigate the situation but were caught and trapped in various places across the island. Find and rescue them!

🧸 Rescue fallen dolls. Captain Rabbit (Robert) has asked those going through the island to find others who have already succumbed to the curse and bring them to the shore. They can be recognized by being the only toy on this island not moving and will have a grayish tint to their color. Some may twitch a little, but not often.

The tower itself is instantly recognizable, standing tall in the center made of giant wooden blocks and with a giant clock face whose eyes seems to roam around, as if watching everything happening. Once inside, everyone will need to climb up and try to find the one who made this curse—the Pirat King.

The tower is fairly straightforward, with several floors that is only accessible by various flights of spiraling stairs and "magic lifts." Pass through the challenges and mazes—or even face the Pirat King or his minions as they appear at random throughout the tower.

🎹 Musical Ascension. There are various "musical" challenges scattered throughout the tower. From floors and steps made out of piano keys that need to play the correct highlighted pattern tune, to playing with a ~~Bop-It~~ "Dance-It" toy and follow the pattern, to using a karaoke machine, to picking up a toy instrument and free styling—some paths or doors won't appear or open until that correct tune is played.

🃏 Card Games. Some floors will have varying card games that must be played. While some are simple as sitting at a table and playing poker or Old Maid, some are more complicated, such as the memory games where one must step on tile sized cards on the floor to clear them away. There is even a floor where one must ride giant playing cards like carpets to cross a giant chasm.

♟️ Chess Match. One floor is a giant chess board, and those on it are assigned a piece. Rather than playing the game properly, they just have to try and get across the board while limited to their piece's movements (pawns can only move forward one space or diagonal if taking an enemy, knights have the L jumps, bishops diagonal, etc.). Just be careful of the other pieces—they will try to knock them out. The spaces will also flash and will disappear, making those not fast enough to move to fall back to a random lower floor.

Every so often, mechanical toy rats in pirate outfits will appear to try and fight or capture those trying to ascend the tower. Fortunately, they only wield toothpicks and plastic weapons, but they can still hurt! If caught, they will be taken to the lower dungeons where others who tried to get through lay listless, the curse already taken them. Those who try to break out can also try and rescue those caught, or leave them behind. Corsairs may try to negotiate or even work with the Pirats, but results will be a roll of the dice (literally, a small d20 dice will appear and roll how well they do before disappearing).

As for the Pirat King himself, he will try and harass and accelerate the curse on those he encounters in the tower. The key to his powers is the magic xylophone he carries strapped to his chest, which will not only momentarily "freeze" any who hear it, but can also make them dance for a short time. Damaging the xylophone will reduce the curse's effects and will free at least one person who had succumbed to the curse completely. However, that Pirat King is a slippery bastard and will disappear in a puff of smoke after taking a few hits. It'll take a concerted effort and everyone taking shots when they can. At the very least, breaking the xylophone completely will release the curse and fix everything.

QUESTS

The current MANTA Board is available, but we have a couple of additional quests that are specific for the event! Teaming up is of course encouraged, no matter what the affiliation. You can assume they acquired some kind of ship for the quests out at sea, either the starter ship or some other ship heading out there. All quests will be worth 4 points.

Frosty Finesse

Eltrut

A large pad of ice has appeared in the center of Eltrut. No one is sure where this pad of ice came from, but a new challenge has appeared to see who can traverse across it the fastest. Using all manners of skills or magic, whoever can get to the other side without crashing might just get a nice reward. Race your comrades, challenge someone from the opposite armada, or just enjoy a leisurely skate across the pretty glossy ice. If you can make it across the fastest you will be rewarded with a scarf and pair of mittens that always stay toasty warm even in the coldest of nights.

Mischievous Minis

Everywhere

Tiny creatures have appeared and have been annoying the locals, always wisping around their heads while trying to get them to do something. There has been a demand for travelers to get rid of these pesky and nosy things before someone loses their patience. The tiny creatures themselves seem to be trying to whisper something in people’s ears. Maybe if you listen you’ll hear something good. But maybe they’ll tell others your deepest desires. All anyone knows is that they’re known to lie. Get rid of them by capturing them with nets, shooing them away with your hand or … burning them with fire. You do you.

An Order for Jadis

Atnam

A local bakery is requesting help in creating a large batch of turkish delight as fast as possible for a client who claims that she is a witch. So long as you can lift heavy bags of sugar or work with your hands, you’re more than welcome to help. Team up with someone to get as many batches of this sweet delight made as possible and as fast as possible. Just beware that making turkish delight can be a little messy. The sweet dessert is sticky and goopy. It requires boiling, mixing, cooling and shaping. So it won’t be an easy task!

An Eggstraordinary Harvest

Eltrut

A ranch has reported that they have miraculously found a massive batch of golden chicken eggs in their chicken coops. They say this isn’t normal so they are requesting others to come and investigate these special eggs. The eggs themselves do seem to glow a pretty golden colour and are solid and warm to the touch. But are they really gold? Investigate the golden eggs and find out if they are actually made of gold or if they are normal edible eggs. What makes them golden? Why are they glowing? Are they poisonous? Taste pretty good? Can they be sold for crazy amounts of dubloons? The results will be up to you to find out.

(Note: The outcome of the eggs is up to you. Choose what would be best for your scenario.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You seem quite keen on testing me.

[He'll feel the end of her claw graze against his ear, very, very lightly. Mostly just to tickle, which is probably all it will be.]

[Just a light chuckle because it is, though she should be careful herself because he almost flinched to instinctively move his shoulder. So she'll just feel a slight tension and slight rise before he manages to stop himself.]

Guilty. But you did the same to me.

[And another set of stairs down. If he goes out the window and jumps the rest of the way down, would it be faster?]

[She does hold on, her claws digging into the leather of his shirt when she feels it suddenly shift, and it almost knocks her over again. Would have, if she weren't prepared for it.]

Have you forgotten that you burned a hole in my ceiling?

[As if that justified all the poking and pulling on his beard that she did. (She thinks it does.)]

That was after everything you did. And an accident.

[A pointed glance as he continues his descent. Damn, how many stairs does he have to take—]

[Good question. She's enjoying the ride, nonetheless. Her wings are still tired.]

And what exactly did I do that you haven't?

[He touched her feathers! And they are going to ruffle a bit at that.]

Squeezed me in your hand for one. Tried to look up my robes for another—

[He will continue this and make it sound very wrong while being correct at the same time if she doesn't stop him—]

[Dear lord, PHRASING, CIDOLFUS. She is definitely going to stop interrupt him with a very (tiny) loud clearing of her throat.]

Your robes were long and thick. Can you blame me for being a bit curious?

[Yes, yes he can. And she still doesn't even know what's under there. How disappointing!]

Besides. It's not as if I have a choice at the moment.

[Just a low hum, a deep rumble from his throat that she would be able to feel before he just says—]

Come to think of it, are you really wearing clothes like that?

[Well. That sure does something. Benedikta whirls around to look at him, her cheeks as red as they can be, her face warm, her head... growing a bit bigger.]

Of course I am!

[She looks down at herself. She has feathers! And a sort of...body suit...thing...]

You wouldn't call a bird with feathers naked, would you?

[SHE'S OFFENDED. Please, Founders, when will her curse break...]

[And just another laugh at her reaction.]

We sure? Let's take a closer look.

[A devilish grin as he slowly reaches up as if to grab her.]

Edited 2024-01-01 04:40 (UTC)

Don't you dare—Cidolfus!

[And she's going to lean forward and try to "bite" his finger!!! Except it ends up being less of a bite and more of a nip, and it all ends with her falling forward off his shoulder and grabbing onto that hand instead.]

[Pfffft—

He wasn't really going to grab and "inspect," he's not so crude. But he will gently catch her, cupping his hand just a bit before lifting her up back to his shoulder.]

I'm just teasing. I already know what you look like.

[TERRIBLE MAN.]

[ABSOLUTELY THE WORST.

How in the world did she ever fall for him!?!?

There's a shriek of frustration building in her chest, but it never finds its way out.]

You know you are saying these things about Garuda, yes?

Hmmmm, you have a point. And we already know how she feels about me.

[Oh that could have so many meanings.]

[Glaring. Hard.]

Yes, and I'd rather we didn't find out what else she feels about you.

[She gives a wave of her hand to shoo him forward.]

Keep walking.

[Another chuckle as he continues walking and reaches the end of the stairs... For another set.]

...Bloody hell, how far up this tower did we go?

[He glances out the window.]

Think I should just jump the rest of the way?

[No wonder she was so tired by the end of it...

She leans over to take a look out the window and down, a weary sigh leaving her at how much further they need to go.]

... Do you think you could make that landing without any wings?

[Because no way in hell would she be able to help him there.]

With a touch of lightning I should be able to.

[And he is taking it as a cue to "break" open the window...which really was just pushing out the plastic building block piece that made it. Honestly was not that hard.]

Though I would suggest moving somewhere a little safer.

[She narrows her eyes at him as she allows herself to drift down to the windowsill when he's pushed the window out.... and looks down. That is quite the drop indeed.]

Where exactly is this "somewhere safer"?

[She was almost afraid to ask, as her big green eyes flick to his chest, and his half-laced up shirt.]

[And he is noticing where those green eyes go and he just smirks before patting said spot on his chest.]

Might not be as snug as yours, but it should do.

[...

....

She eyes that spot, then him, then his chest again...

Before she's making a most disconcerted noise in the back of her throat and flying up to him, grabbing hold of his shirt so that she can open it up and dive inside, squirming and squirming until she gets comfortable. Her face is against his chest so that her wings can remain unfolded outside of his vest, but she's nice and snug before she finally stills.]

If you drop me, I'll kill you.

[Or say a word about this to anyone, is also what that look she shoots up at him implies.]

[Well.

He was actually prepared to put her in himself, but instead she's flying over and clambering instead.

...

Honestly this was a bit weird and he now reflects on his own antics when he shuffled and moved around her cleavage that one time... Yet at the same time a bit amusing, especially when he swears he feels the temperature rising a bit against his chest.]

I won't drop you.

[A quiet chuckle as he'll tighten the front laces of his shirt a bit. Can't hurt, right? He'll also keep a hand cupped around her to doubly ensure.

(She just better not pull on his chest hairs. Please.)]

Ready?

[The temperature is most certainly rising, Benedikta's face warm and red and pressed to his chest, her claws digging in only slightly and tugging on his chest hairs when he pulls on his laces and uses his hand to support her instead.

She only glances up at him at that laugh of his, glaring the world's tiniest daggers at his chin before she nods.]

Go quickly.

[Another small huff of laughter before she'll feel that familiar buzz of his aether surrounding them as he looks down. There were a few ledges he could use to help the descent rather than just go straight down, and he's going to opt for that even if it might be a little bumpy for Benedikta.

So he climbs up onto the edge of the window before down he goes, dropping down to one ledge, then another, using his aether to lightning step larger distances when needed until he's hit the ground. The whole time he kept his hand close against her to keep her secure, and now on the ground he'll move his hand to look down st her.]

Still in one piece?

[Well, her head definitely feels a bit rattled, those "little bumps" seeming much, much bigger when one is so small. Not only that, but she feels a little dizzy—not something that she is used to, given how much she flies, but maybe it's something to do with being in this toy form in particular?

Who knows...

But when he lands and glances down at her, she doesn't seem so inclined to move as she huffs out with a low groan and leans back against his hand and his vest to stare back up at him.]

Hardly... You didn't need to jump so much.

GETTING STARTED

WINTERSTIDE

YOTELSIA: TOY ISLAND

QUESTS

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject