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seaboards ([personal profile] seaboards) wrote in [community profile] escordvi2026-04-11 12:13 pm
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« april: something's fishy »



Welcome to the Test Drive Meme for [community profile] escordvi! Anyone can participate in the test drive, regardless of invite eligibility. Just keep in mind that only those who have had their invitations approved by the mods can actually reserve on April 24 and apply on May 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 April 1st 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 Month ##)
Canon - Character | Corsair/Paladin/Undecided
Canon - Character | Corsair/Paladin/Undecided


SPEAKING YOUR MIND. There is currently a global effect active in game that is affecting everyone. This effect applies to all things outside and within event threads, but of course it's up to players on whether they use it or not.

Everyone is not only speaking their thoughts out loud, but are also narrating their own actions. How often and the intensity of the effect is random. Some may only experience it once the entire month, some may suffer a week, others just at unpredictable intervals throughout the day. When it happens is never known—it just happens.



GETTING STARTED


This section can be timed for any time after April 1st 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 serve 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. The crews for both ships will also seem a bit odd to some, as it is a mix of humans and various animal folk, non-humans that look more animal than human. Some just look like large versions of their smaller counterparts. From birds, to seals, to even bears, there is no shortage of interesting faces and people on 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 lookout 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.




GRAND SIPSA


Out of the blue, a giant fish leviathan will appear flying high in the skies overhead and some will recognize it as a fish from legend: the Sipsabmabacas, or Sipsa for short. With its large, beady eyes and ever open triangular mouth, it stares ahead and soars through the air like a giant blimp. Legend has it that following this leviathan will lead to riches untold, but it is always difficult to follow because despite its massive body, it seems to vanish into thin air the moment one turns away or even blinks a few times. Because of this, many believe that it is just a ghostly figure, or a trick of the imagination. Perhaps the product of certain consumption.

The Grand Sipsa will randomly appear frequently in various places. Those who are able to try to fly up to it will only be met with mist the moment they come close, as if being stopped from direct approach. The moment anyone catches a glimpse, they will be compelled, even to the point of obsession, to find and follow it. A glance is really all that is needed. They will start seeing little fish dancing in front of them, singing a nonsensical song, and guide enraptured individuals towards some mist that definitely wasn't there before.

After passing through, a…"beautiful" tropical island will greet them. Vibrant colors to the point of blinding, the foliage and flowers look comically, perhaps even cartoonishly large and bright. Rainbows on clouds float everywhere, the fish fly around and leap in and out of the many pools of water found throughout the island—even in places they shouldn't be, such as atop giant palm trees. Singing can be heard wherever one went, be it from the animals, the fish, or even the flowers. Just beware of the fish as they can get a little close.

Should one try to find a way out of the island, instead of the usual shore, the glittering sand leads to open sky with Sipsa staring up at them with its strange blank faced smile. The only way out is from passing out from a number of reasons (drinking, heat, hit in the head by a coconut). Upon doing so the individual will awaken right where they had left, and will only have a vague recollection of what happened on that island, and will likely question if it was a dream.



SUN & MOON


After a hundred years, two mythical islands have reappeared. Known as twin islands, Solare is said to exist in perpetual day and Lunare is perpetual night. Normally the islands are shrouded in mist, preventing anyone from the outside ever finding them, and those inside to ever see the day or night beyond their island's scope. What makes these islands able to have such strange permanent day and night cycles is because they have their own sun (Solare) and moon (Lunare). Large as leviathans, it is said they appeared one day and never left, acting as a real sun and moon on their respective islands, and thus the people of the islands have worshipped them almost like gods. Everything about them is a mystery, but they seem to have a life of their own with their constant smiling, laughing, and staring at everyone.

But now the mysterious phenomenon called the Twilight Zone has occurred, lifting the fog to make them accessible for a brief period until they disappear again for another hundred years. The locals are tired of being isolated and are now determined to make their presence known—and bring more into the fold of their beliefs. Fortunately, their attempt in using an ancient relic exploded in their face so whatever plan they had was thwarted. Unfortunately, large fragments have scattered all over to create unstable weather everywhere. Refer to the Special Quest in the board below for more.

For those who try to visit the islands, they will find Solare to be very lush despite the constant exposure to light. It is inhabited by tortoisefolk who take their time about things. It is also very hot and humid. Lunare, in contrast, is colder with gray, rocky terrain that the rabbitfolk have no issue with. Although not as lush and a bit more barren, there are exotic, blowing plantlife to be found, especially hardy vegetables like carrots. Both groups would still like to move beyond their islands and spread the glory of Solare and Lunare, but they seem less inclined after the mishap with the artifact. Perhaps speaking more with them and finding other ways for them to…"expand" would be better.



QUESTS


The current MANTA Board is available, but we have a unique event board 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.

» GENERAL (4pts)
Cure For Your Thoughts
Reward: 100000 dubloons for a cure
200 dubloons for trying test cures


"This curse or spell or—whatever it is is a menace! How are we supposed to keep our private thoughts to ourselves like this!?

Everyone is scrambling for a cure but it's going too slow. Whoever can figure out something or even a way to suppress this stupid thing will be rewarded handsomely!"

This very rich patron is desperate and is funding any effort to find a cure to deal with the sudden bout of loose thoughts going around. There are rumors that there is a special plant whose pollen could be effective in preventing from someone to speak aloud their true thoughts, but can only be found in thick island jungles where carnivorous plants thrive. Those who have made cures are offering for volunteers to try their solutions, however their effects are... Varied. Here are some of the possible effects instead:

  • Worsen the effects to make it occur more often
  • Tell lies instead
  • Unable to speak for several hours
  • Restricted movement
  • Screeching like a banshee
  • Speaking only in third person
And perhaps more.

Festival Preparations
Reward:

Word has gotten out that the Armadas are working together to reach out to various underwater villages in hopes of hosting a grand festival to celebrate the whales. It has been a year since the harrowing incident with the whale hunting, and what better way to try and help make amends and renew relationships with some of their larger neighbors of the seas than a festival? Set to happen sometime next month, various tasks are available for those who wish to volunteer and help:

🐚 Gathering Shells. Collect giant shells to be used for future deocrations! Some vendors even wish to use them as plates, so the larger the better. Some islands are known for giant clams, but be careful to not get a hand or foot stuck in them.

🐝 Making Flower Necklaces. Everyone will be gifted with special flower necklaces, but that means a lot of them need to be made ahead of time. Help gather special tropical flowers from various different islands and make unique ones. Can even make one fo yourself or a special person! Just be careful as it is near spring time, and the pollen and flowers may attract bees.

💌 Spreading the Word. There are several whalefolk and merfolk villages that need to be informed of the festivals, and hopefully after the first few learn of it word will spread faster. Special gift packages have been made to be sent out, but they need protection from those who may try to sabotage their efforts. Help deliver the baskets and improve relations with the underwater villages.

» GRAND SIPSA (4pts)
Feeling Fishy
Reward: Grand Sipsa Token x3

The longer someone stays on the island, the more the fish start to slowly gather around and follow them around until one eventually rams themselves into the individual. In the next moment, the two souls have been swapped, and the fish will take over the victim's body while the victim is now in the fish's. Fortunately they are able to speak and think as usual, but it will be a bit disorienting to find themselves as a floating fish! Disorienting, but not upsetting. In fact, most might find themselves enjoying it, which could lead to problems especially when they have no inclination to leave or find their body after a while…

The fish will have fun with the person's body, often holding its arms straight out and making "pbbtt" or "nyoom nyoom" sounds as they run around or even make the body float up, the arms still out in a T-pose like fashion. They may even leave the island to cause confusion back on land.

To return people back to their bodies, bring the body back to the island if it's not already there and smack it with the fish body the owner's trapped soul is in. Nice and hard, possibly on the face. It may take a few hits, but it'll force the souls back into their proper places eventually!

Memory Clouds
Reward: Grand Sipsa Token

Beware of the puffs of rainbow clouds all over the island. If you walk into a fluffy cloud or trip into one, you might experience an old memory of yours, but the memory is… wrong. Details are warped, things are fantastical and backwards, or just plain bizarre. Instead of holding a giant sword in the memory, now you’re holding a giant fish. Everyone’s hair is blue. That pep talk your mother gave you is a confusing riddle. You’re stuck in a preppy high school musical. Stay long enough inside these fuzzy memories, and you might just think that the wrong details are…right.
Pom Pom Crabs
Reward: Grand Sipsa Token

These little pink crabs inhabit the island, scuttling around and gifting anyone with their little poms of flowers. If a crab gifts you one of their poms, you’ll be infected with a neurotoxin that will cause you to giggle for hours. Laugh long enough, and you’ll start to cry...
Imagenae Painting
Reward: Grand Sipsa Token x2

While on the island, you might find yourself with a strange new ability. You can suddenly “paint” things into existence using your imagination. Anything that you’re thinking might suddenly appear before you like a living and breathing hallucination. Creating weird flying puppies or that imaginary wooden-mask wearing friend that you had as a child. It’s suddenly all real and the space in front of you is your new canvas.
However, some imaginations may have run a little too wild—and too dangerous. Careful of any of the more hostile creations. The only way to destroy them is using a creation of your own, so get to painting!
Island "Cuisine"
Reward: Grand Sipsa Token

🌸 Lotus Flowers. Scattered all over the island are vibrant pink lotus flowers. These special blooms are enchanted, addictive pink treats that when eaten are sweet sugary delights. However, everyone is compelled to eat them. If one can’t resist and eats them, they will lose their sense of time and purpose and become trapped in a state of happy apathy. All they will want to do is dance and play all day, giving in to their laziest and happiest desires.

🍎 Exploding Apples. Mind the trees since a lot of them have a mind of their own and they don’t seem to like anyone. They’ll try to smack you, hit you right over cliffs or throw their dynamite-like apples at you that explode on impact. Watch out, dodge, or try to cut them down before they cut you down! However, some may be more daring to try and harvest the apples and other fruits from these trees for a new explosive dish.

🐊 Bugsnax. Strangely enough, the tasty-looking food-shaped creatures called bugsnax have made an appearance once again. This time, only select types of reptile bugsnax can be found, including wafflecrocs and gatorcakes. They seem friendly and will want to play! But if they’re eaten, be aware that your body will change shape and change into food, changing your hands into strawberries or your feet into melons. Eater beware!

» SUN & MOON (4pts)
Torch Walkers
Reward: A special torch that will burn until extinguished.

From Solare there are special creatures called torch walkers that are like living furnaces, fire always burning out of the top of their heads. They are quite friendly and are tasked to light up special shrines dedicated to the giant laughing sun in the sky. However, with the Lunare now infiltrating the island, it can be a perilous trek as they try to destroy them. Rumor has it that the Lunarians have summoned a giant ice beast that is actively hunting these innocent creatures…

Depending on which side one wants to "support," they can either be helped or hindered. Some may even try and take the Torch Walkers to Lunare island to light things there. Either help further Solare's cause or rescue and return them before the Lunare's destroy these unwitting "soldiers."

Golden Hour Traps
Reward: A small vial that when thrown will create a golden trap (one time use).

On Solare, one wrong step and one might find themselves tripping and falling into a cage or a pit made out of golden light. The golden light surrounds the trapped victim, bathing and burning them with immense magical sunlight. It is so blindingly bright that it may scorch the skin and make it difficult to keep eyes open.

A flood of sunlight slowly seeps into the body, filling it with magical sun and light. This light, while burning and radiant, continues to build until the body begins to feel sick. Limbs contort and grow, golden appendages burst forth from the body, and blood turns stark white. You become a monstrosity...of the light.

Find a way to escape the golden trap, either by balancing the light with darkness or night through other magics or powers, or by using moonstones found on Lunare Island. Slowly balancing out the light with darkness or shadows should make the trap’s effects revert and subside. become what you must...
Special Stones
Reward: Whatever stones found.

Scattered throughout their respective islands are sunstones and moonstones. Rumor has it they have absorbed some of the magic of the sun and moon above the islands and can be used for strong magic for their elements. Finding them, however, can be difficult as they are often in places filled with dangerous beasts.

Be careful when handling the stones as breaking them risk releasing a burst of sun that can blind one for a few hours.

Lunar Reflection
Reward: A goblet made in the image of Lunare's moon. Water contained in the goblet will show strange reflections.

On Lunare there are special pools that one can look into to see their reflection. When the moon is right behind you, the reflection will portray a version opposite of you. At first it's taken as a fun little game for those curious to see how they may be.

However, if the moon starts laughing, then the reflection will come to life as an eerie doppleganger called a moonshadow that looks more like a white ghost than a person. It may drift off to cause mischief, or it might try to possess the original to completely alter their personality.

To banish loose moonshadows, expose it to the heat of the "sun" (or fire) and it will disperse. Those who have been possessed need to be taken to the original pool they were looking at and thrown into it to separate the moonshadow from the body before the moonshadow can be destroyed.

Note: Similar effect can happen outside of the world due to influence of Lunare's moon drifting outward, however any who have an opposite doppleganger appear must find and take it to one of Lunare's pools to get rid of it.

Lunatenders
Reward: Those who help: A single lunatender flower from their heads freely given. Those who poach: Whatever they manage to get.

The lunatenders are usually peaceful creatures, happily dancing away on Lunare's rocky, gray surface to create beautiful moon blossoms that match the flowers on their heads. They will happily grab anyone nearby to join them, and best of all, the flowers are bouncy so there is no fear on trampling them. In fact bouncing on the floors can give an anti-gravity moment. Those who are friendly will even be gifted with the flower atop their head which when placed on someone's besdside table will help promote sleep, bringing good dreams and preventing bad dreams from occurring.

However, there are those who covet the lunatenders. Not only for their strange bioluminescence and flowers, but their needles are also filled with a hallucinogen that poison and drug makers would love to get their hands on. Some even whisper the flesh of a luntender is very sweet and may also grant youthful skin...

This has made the lunatender queen very angry and over time the lunatenders will become hostile.
» BOUNTIES (6pts)
Sacabuff
Reward:

A strange giant fish with muscular arms and the size of a large grizzly bear has appeared and is fishing boats all over. Whether it's innocent fishing boats or illegal ones, this muscle fish is causing damage and havoc that needs to be stopped!

Read more.✦ Size: Large
✦ Type: Aquatic
✦ Strengths: Physical attacks
✦ Weaknesses: Magic, lightning

Sun and Moon Beasts
Reward:

There are giant stone beasts made in the shape of a "sun" and a "moon" found on both islands. They cross over often, flying over the wide channel that separates the two islands to cause havoc.

The "sun" shines brightly on those who are not used to the bright light, and will also roll around, pulling anything closer to it in a strong gravitational field. The heat it radiates is also strong enough to cause fires. The "moon" will cast darkness over wide areas, even snuffing out other light sources to make it almost impossible to see. Being under its darkness will also cause those to start feeling sleepy, and in contrast to the sun it will make anything near it start to float, losing gravity.

Send these beasts back to where they belong or destroy them to harvest their stones to be used as materials. Note: they cannot be tamed or taken.

Read More.✦ Size: Giant
✦ Type:
✦ Strengths: Sun: Heat, gravity, light/fire; Moon: Darkness, anti-gravity, sleep
✦ Weaknesses: Opposite elements

Tartman
Reward:

On Solare, there is a "grand figure" known as Tartman. Said to have fallen from the sun itself, it is an entity that defies all logic for its body is a giant baked tart and arms and legs similar to a human's. With its smile it will grace all with delicious tarts to encourage the Solare faith in the sun. However, these tarts are making their way out to other islands and we don't need more cults spreading!

Beware its powerful kicks and punches as it can attack hard and fast, easily stunning and knocking out any who take a direct hit. Despite its body being a giant pastry, it is very strong, capable of reflecting and mitigating attacks. Its delicious smell can charm those caught unawares, and it is advised against eating it directly.

Just be careful, even if one is destroyed, another seems to fall from the sun to take its place, leaving a massive impact crater! Don't be there when it lands!

Read more.✦ Size: Large
✦ Type:
✦ Strengths: Light and wind, physical attacks, very delicious
✦ Weaknesses: Darkness, piercing attacks, binding spells or traps, water

» SPECIALS (12pts)
Strange Weather
Reward: 500 dubloons; keep the fragment at your own risk

There are reports from various islands that they are affected by strange weather patterns that have started suddenly. Typically hot, tropical islands are experiencing cold temperatures or drought, dryer islands have torrential rain, cold islands can't seem to make the sun go away. While some may welcome much needed rain or heat, when it becomes too much to cause floods and drought, then it becomes a dangerous problem.

Those out in sea will also experience strange tidal waves when the moon is at its strongest, and when the sun is out without a cloud in the sky there are higher risks of hallucinations and mirages, causing ships to run aground.

Investigation into the cause reveals that strange weather is caused by the fragments of an ancient relic used by the Lunare and Solare people in their attempt to take more control of things. Fortunately, the relic broke, however now everyone is facing the consequences. Finding the relics and removing or destroying them is imperative before things get worse.
  • Travel to affected islands and help the people until the relics are found. Using magic or some kind of magitech to try and counter the weather is possible.
  • Bringing in supplies for any crops lost. Medical aid will also be needed for villages and towns that may have been damaged from unexpected floods, mudslides, blizzards, extreme heat etc.
  • Find and remove or destroy the relics. They are well hidden and can either be right near where the weather incident occurred or somewhere distant. They have different forms, but they all have specific symbols indicating the weather effect on them. It is not recommended to take them due to the powerful, volatile magic infused in the relics, but surely some will…
    • Paladins will focus more on trying to destroy or seal off these dangerous relics. Some may even want to bring them back for study.
    • Corsairs will more likely try to take them for themselves or to sell to the highest bidder, even steal from the Paladins who managed to obtain the relics.
  • The effects at sea could be from a relic, but it's mostly due to the appearance of the sun and moon from the Solare and Lunare islands. Find a way to help counter the effects or keep crewmen from being affected.


seawarden: (Default)

QUESTIONS

[personal profile] seawarden 2026-04-11 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
seasaltkeys: (what I'd dare)

Roxas | Kingdom Hearts | Paladin

[personal profile] seasaltkeys 2026-04-11 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[A - Basic Training]

[It's probably an unwise thing to do, but Roxas doesn't really have another answer right now. He has sort of been moping for a month after all. And the thing is, Roxas knows that he's strong. But he's not strong enough apparently. Not strong enough to keep his friends around, or be able to track them down. He doesn't know where Sora's gone to, and Axel's not here to keep him grounded. And he's still kind of mad at Riku and Saix. And all of that is a lot to put on Namine.

So, he'll hold it back and vent it other places. Which is mostly training. Lifting rocks and swinging his keyblade and practising his magic and none of it feel right. He doesn't actually know what he's doing and it wasn't like the Organization provided training regimens. He doesn't have Phil here to tell him what to do either.

Eventually he just kind of collapses on the ground, looking up at the sky.]


This sucks.

[B - Weather]

[It's probably an unwise thing to do, but Roxas is doing it anyway. He probably shouldn't be going off on his own to investigate the Weather phenomena on this island, but sitting still isn't going to solve the problem and he needs to move. And if he can find and destroy the relic, that will make everything better, right?

So he sets off. It's sunny right now, so that should give him a lot of time, especially if he moves quickly, which he knows he can. At least, that's what he thinks.

It doesn't take long for the weather to shift. Near instantly in fact, as what was once a nice sunny day is suddenly over cast and pouring rain and Roxas has to find shelf as it shifts into a snowstorm. It's not especially cold, but miserable and driving and there isn't really a way through.

Roxas has managed to find some rocks to hide under, but it's slow going and frustrating. He's glaring at the sky as if willing it to change.]


[C - Shell Gathering]

Can shells even get that big?

[It's a question worth asking, Roxas thinks. Because when he thinks of sea shells, he just thinks of the little ones that wash up on the shore. The ones he usually picks up when he sees a nice one. (He has a small collection of them, mostly for himself, but ideally for Xion if he should ever see her again).]

I don't know if I've ever seen a shell the size of a plate. Can you even find them on a beach?

[D - Wildcard]

[OoC: Aavailabe for plotting at Roxas's CR Meme Comment or on plurk at [plurk.com profile] urbaninja. Roxas can also probably be found looking at the Bounties board.]

E - Wildcard