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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 secured invites from players or mods can actually reserve on October 25th and apply on November 1st. Our EMP/ATP can be found here. We do require TDM threads for samples for our application, but toplevels are not required. Tagging out is fine!

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 October 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 October 31)

GETTING STARTED

This section can be timed for any time after October 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.

ELTRUT: FESTIVAL

The Ghoul's Moon Festival is founded on an ancient tradition where in late October when the moon turns red, so red that it makes the ocean waters look as if it is filled with blood, undead and ghostly creatures go on a rampage and attack the living. Festivals were found to appease the angered spirits, and while such attacks haven't been seen in centuries, the festival remains. Thus throughout the month, Eltrut has been hard at work in getting the main port town, Shellton, and leviathan ready. On October 25th, when the sun sets, and the full blood red moon rises in the night sky, the giant leviathan will shake a little before revealing its festive form. Eltrut's entire shell will be a pumpkin which can later be "harvested" to help return it to normal, but that's for later. For now, the leviathan is in happy spirits and will crane its neck on occasion to watch everyone.

Although not required, costumes are available for anyone who may want to join in on the fun, along with silly prank weapons. Most of the festivities will be found starting from the docks up to the main plaza and down some side streets where various booths and stalls have been set up. From traditional booth games like candy ring toss, darts, water gun targets to more unique games such as bobbing for apple skulls, mask decoration, and catching the anglerfish.

👻 Ghost Piñatas. In a designated square, there is a game where cardboard ghosts are filled with candy and small toys, and with blindfolds and plastic mallets, the "ghost hunters" must run around and try to hit the ghost with the aid of people directing. Someone else is controlling the ghost with magic, moving it around to up the difficulty. It's meant for fun, but some people are messing around. Those not helping out or participating should stop them!
🛢️ Build-A-Barrel Boat. Out by the docks, a special "boat" competition is being held. Decorate a special barrel tubs large enough to fit two people into the spookiest "boat" possible. Afterwards, they must put it in the water and try to "race" against others to the finish line with oars. Don't worry, there are people waiting to help fish them out should their boat sink.
😜 Pranked. It's up to the Corsairs to try and throw their best pranks on unsuspecting festival goers. But there are of course those who are trying to prank them, so it's a bit chaotic out there, with unwitting victims getting caught in the crossfire.

Along with the usual street foods like paella, taiyaki, or khachapuri, there are plenty of special offerings for the holiday:

🥮 Moon Cakes. With a shiny red crust, these special cakes will make one's skin shine red like the Ghoul's Moon itself.
🍡 Fruit and Pumpkin Skewers. Skewers of fresh fruit and pumpkin glazed in hard red candy or dusted with chili powder will have that bit of spice that will give one a more energetic temper than usual.
🥐 Skull Buns. Sweet bread buns topped with skulls and crossbones that will sometimes make someone break into dance.
🦑 Hornswaggle's Vengeance. Hornswaggle has returned, upgrading their ghost pepper squid stir-fry with ghoul peppers, guaranteed to make you breathe actual flames!
🍬 Sour Candy. There are reports of candy making people sick and the Paladins are in charge of the investigation. Unfortunately, descriptions of the suspects are completely random with many innocent people becoming accused. In the meantime, replacing the candy is a high priority, and anyone can assist the Paladins trying to find and replace the ruined candy.

After the harrowing events with the Ghost Ship, on the night of October 31st, everyone will gather to witness the special fireworks display. The original crew even managed to adjust the performance to include a brief rendition of the battle against the undead, as well as something to honor Eltrut and Naughtilust for their brave efforts to help defend.

NAUGHTILUST: MASQUERADE

On the evening of the 30th, the Naughtilust will steadily make its way over towards Eltrut and stop within ferryboat distance of Shellton. The two leviathans will greet each other with friendly accord, the Naughtilust presenting its friend with a large floating shell filled with delicious treats for it to enjoy. All the shops, taverns, inns, brothels, and all entertainment services will be open all night long, and while the main target audience are adults, they do provide some "safe," family friendly entertainment for the younger crowd. Special dancers, musicians, and other entertainers line the streets on the Naughtilust to provide all kinds of delight.

However, the main highlight is the grand masquerade which is held at the Helice Palace, one of the largest and grandest buildings on the leviathan. As its name suggests, it is designed to fit the image of royalty, with large gardens, multiple ballrooms, grand halls, private and public terraces, and enough rooms to house any guest who may wish to spend the night (with a partner). Normally one would have to pay a hefty fee, but for the Ghoul's Moon, the sirens are opening it up for one grand fee of attending the masquerade and dressing one's best. They will even provide gowns, suits, and masks for those who need them. The masquerade itself is open to all, young and old, however what happens beyond the ballroom may require some adult supervision.

It's still the Naughtilust, after all.

Set in one of the largest ballrooms, guests are ushered in with the sound of a orchestra playing classical music, though some may notice more "modern" songs adapted to the classic style. For those who may want a little more privacy, there are several small terraces and balconies that can be used. Just be sure to lower the curtains and lock the doors if they want true privacy.

🕶 Blind Dancing. The sirens will randomly cast an enchantment on various people's masks to make them unable to see. They will then be forcibly paired with another "blinded" partner and only after the dance will the enchantment wear off. During this time, the pair will feel very friendly towards each other. Perhaps even attracted…?
💎 Gems. The sirens will also randomly stick special gems that will increase that particular personality trait of the wearer: white = coy; blue = wistful; green = jealousy; pink = flirty; red = lustful; purple = friendly; yellow = bold; orange = mischievous. The strength of the effect varies and multiple can be applied at once.
🥂 Refreshments. For those feeling peckish, long cream-filled doughnuts and oysters in the half shell line the buffet tables, along with indulgent foods like chocolate-covered bacon and deep-fried duck eggs drizzled with tamarind sauce—all of which will cause anyone who eats them to feel a bit more flirtatious. There is a variety of cocktails, but the champagne may also make one feel a bit more "bubbly."

Outside in the gardens, many can take a romantic stroll under the blood red moon. The gardens boast a number of different flora, small hedge mazes, gazebos, and fine statues for those to enjoy. There are also many shaded corners and little hideaways that couples can hide in should they wish to enjoy something else.

💐 Flower Arrangements. Out in one of the courtyards, there are several tables set up for anyone to make their own special bouquet of flowers. Unfortunately, some of the flowers have been changed to have special pollen that upon inhaling will induce unintended effects: sleepiness, amorous, giggly, boisterous, etc. The strength of the effect can vary and fortunately will only last for up to ten minutes. Multiple effects can take place at once and will "refresh" with every sniff.
🏮 Firefly Lanterns. The gardens are filled with special fireflies whose light can ward off malicious spirits and ghouls. Guests are welcome to try and catch a few to create their own paper lanterns and decorate them for the holiday. The fireflies are quick and hard to catch, but a little song (even humming) may lull them to be still.
🍷 Fountain Bump. Further out in the gardens at the Fontana Del Vino, red wine is pouring out and a few…bold guests have started a game where one must stand at the top of the statue and try to "bump" each other off using vigorous hip checks. Fortunately the height isn't too far and the fountain deep enough for those who fall through…just hope someone is sober enough to pull them out.

Even after the events of the Ghost Ship, the Naughtilust will remain so that the masquerade can be held again on the following night. The terraces will provide a great view of the fireworks.

GHOST SHIP

Late night on the 30th, when the clock strikes midnight to turn to October 31st, the blood red moon will seem to glow and a thick fog will suddenly roll in, a large, ghastly looking ship appearing in the distance. By this time, many may have started to turn if they are not still up partying. Regardless, everyone will get a rude awakening when screams fill the docks as all manner of undead climb up onto the piers and shores of Eltrut—ghosts, ghouls, zombies, skeletons. Realizing that these are the real thing and not drunk sailors in costumes, the call to arms is made, bells ringing and sirens blaring as those who are able rush in to defend.

Eltrut and Naughtilust won't remain still, the two leviathans using their abilities to fend off the undead. Eltrut causes the water to boil around it, temporarily halting further invasion. Naughtilust, meanwhile, will reach out with one of its tentacles and grab the ship, lifting it into the air before slamming it into the ocean. At first it looks as if the two leviathans could handle this on their own, but there's a bright flash of red light from the ship and the two groan in distress, flinching back and both retreating to their shells. Whatever it was, it was enough to inflict enough pain to force them to momentarily retreat.

With the leviathans out, cannons and trebuchets armed with large holy pumpkins are quickly maneuvered to launch long range attacks from both Eltrut and Naughtilust and everyone must fight the undead from the initial wave. Those who have divinity magic will bless everyone and their weapons to deal with the undead. Silver will also be effective, and that includes silverware. Finally, shoving candy in their mouths and playing music will be highly effective in at least stunning the undead, and may even placate the attacker. Perhaps there really is something to the old tales.

Ships with able bodied crew are sent out to approach the ship and find the source that is powering it to destroy it.

The large galleon was damaged and lodged in a reef from Naughtilust's attack, but despite the notable damage their ghostly cannons still fire and the ship shows no signs of sinking. There are several levels below deck, and undead sailors and monsters fill the ship. The strange red light will pulse periodically from the bottom, indicating they need to fight through to get to it.

🪓 Axing Skeletons. On the main deck, giant skeletons wielding large axes will be stationed to defend against those boarding the ship. With a wide sweep of their ax, they can cut through anything in their way—including their own. But their large size does hinder their movements, and a well aimed attack to their shins can knock them down.
🎃 Pumpkin Bombs. Watch out for these monsters! Appearing like large pumpkins, these monsters will grow in size the longer they are agitated until their eyes burst into flames, the only warning before they explode in hot pumpkin chunks to cause significant damage. Destroy them before they burst.
🎯 Traps. Besides the questionable integrity of the ship itself, there are many traps that can be triggered by one wrong step or misplaced hand. Trap doors, revolving walls, giant cobwebs with ghoulish spiders, living chains attempting to bind victims, locked rooms with shrinking walls.

Hidden deep within the hull of the ship is the relic that unleashed the devastating attack and empowered the undead. It's a very large black tombstone with unreadable script and symbols carved into it and what looks like fresh blood poured into each groove. So large it reaches the ceiling. Perhaps the more academic inclined will want to take some pictures before smashing it, and it will take a number of people to physically destroy it. But it won't be easy as undead sailors will rush in to defend it.

When dawn breaks, the ghost ship will have been destroyed and fade away into the sun. Any remaining undead will also burn away and disappear. Although things are a bit of a mess and many injuries sustained, with the victory bolstering spirits, most things are repaired and salvaged for the final night of the Ghoul's Moon festival. The festival will go on, as will the fireworks.

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.

Corpse-a-Corps

Eltrut Island

A man is trying to create a walking living man out of dead body parts. He is convinced that he can bring the creature to life using a powerful lightning bolt of some kind. Because of this he has been stealing body parts from local graves.

Find this man and stop him before he can create his abomination. And burn down his controversial laboratory before anyone else can get a hold of these wild ideas. Help put the families and loved ones at ease by returning their lost ones and their parts to their graves, proper.

Hungry-la Island

???

A very curious type of tree has recently been discovered on a small walkable island. It seems to be trees that have the ability to magically grow fried chicken legs that hang like pears or apples. And some look like they’re decorated with fully cooked honey-glazed hams. The bark looks curiously like crispy bacon and the leaves like perfectly tenderized pork tenderloins. That’s right, it’s growing meat. Somehow. And boy, does it look delicious.

Since this is a new discovery no one knows if any of these trees are actually delicious or not. Care to try a bite or two? After a long voyage at sea with only lemons and oranges it might be a treat to have some savory things to eat instead.

Guileful Grimalkin

All Islands

Strange black creatures have appeared and are sneaking around various ports to steal people’s wallets and valuables. When they’re confronted or caught they seem to emit high pitched screeches and will scratch and bite and do whatever they can to escape!

Keep your wallet and shiny things secure and catch any of these little demons before they cause too much ruckus!

Conch Shells Stories

All Islands

Pretty conch shells have been washing up on various shores all over the islands. When they are held up to your ear they seem to whisper stories from someone far, far away.

These stories can be from people from your own home worlds, or they can be stories from long-lost friends, loved ones or even the deceased. These magical conch shells will repeat the same story if listened to again. Sometimes it's nice to carry old memories…

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Any questions about the TDM and quests featured here only! All general game questions should go to the Game Info, please!

I. CONSCRIPTION

[ Zechs isn’t exactly asking to be pulled from the ocean - spluttering and looking rather like a drowned rat with his sopping wet hair and soaked, torn uniform. ]

[ Through the various gashes and tears in his clothes, barely more than rags, his rescuer might be able to glimpse some fantastically horrific burn scars, a year old now, and perhaps more stunning for being so extensive even still after that time. ]

[ He’s rather hoping you don’t notice them, however. It seems whatever kind of uniform this was had long sleeves, at least, and might have been well-tailored to fit him had it not been reduced to rags. ]

[ Once on the deck of the ship, he’d cough out more water before hoarsely saying; ]

You have my thanks.

[ … Where was he? ]

II. INITIATION

[ Ahoy, Corsairs. Were you looking for a rather stuck-up looking Paladin to prank? ]

[ In a restored blue-and-silver uniform, Zechs felt deeply uncomfortable wearing someone else’s colors, and was trying not to let on. With all of the ghostly decorations and festivities, it only leant him additional fantasies that he’s invoking his dead friend’s ghost, somehow. His deep discomfort combined with his sense of awkwardness - he’s never participated in any of these kinds of games or festivities, even as a child - meant that Zechs was 110% wearing a resting bitch face, unintentionally sneering at everything. ]

[ Honestly, it looked like he deserved some solid pranking. ]

III. FAMILIAR

[ It was time for the masquerade. The choice of an odd, silver-white helmetish mask might seem strange to most people. It only made Zechs smirk, wry and unamused, when it’s forced on his head. If the theme was ghosts, then, well. He might as well impersonate a dead man, a man he no longer was. ]

[ He might be blinded and forced to dance, and regardless of the gender of said partner (or lack thereof), he’ll be a little stiff at first. Polite, formal, he’d say; ] You have my apologies. It seems this place is rather fond of removing all choice from us.

[ Or Zechs might be pushed into some wine once he’s trying to escape the party via the gardens outside. Please, help him out of the fountain, if you would? Spluttering afterward, he’ll note; ] I think I’ve had far worse. Perhaps this might be served in glasses instead.

IV. COMFORTABLE AT LAST

[ Finally, he’s in his element. Well. Fine. He’s never fought giant skeletons, tried to disarm pumpkin bombs, or free people from supernatural traps before. But let’s just say that Zechs was very adaptable, and few things outside of himself scared him. ]

[ In fact, if someone else should need a hand when trapped, whether paladin or corsair, Zechs would be at the ready, lightning-quick, with a snatched sword to slice them free from their bonds. His reflexes are rather absurdly good, so he’d be quick to dispatch the bombs thrown on board the ship - perhaps just barely sparing someone from being covered in chunks of pumpkin. And certainly he’d work in tandem with another to take down one of the huge, shambling skeletons. ]

The joint in the heel! Slice through that, and it’ll fall!

Build a Boat

[Zhao is whistling a little tune while he works on his boat for the race. Rather than adding anything to help its speed, he's busy painting an elaborate and slinky dragon all around the outside. He looks up from his work.]

Hey. You mind helping or at least getting more yellow paint for me? If I'm launching this boat to win, it's gonna be tricked the fuck out, yeah?

Blind Dancing

[It's a little disconcerting to lose his sight momentarily. But -- as it's part of the whole masquerade experience -- he doesn't lose his footing. He's had to throw together his own outfit and he's quite pleased. A tiger mask, a yellow silk shirt embroidered with an orange leaf design and buttoned with darkly stained wood togs, black silk pants and all black hi-tops (even the soles) painted with yellow around all the eyeholes for the shoelaces completes his ensemble. He's especially proud of the shoes, which look more like boots with the design he chose.

Until he bumps into someone.]

Aw shit, sorry, can't really see right now.

Axing Skeletons

[Zhao has learned to not even ask questions about anything anymore. Fighting undead bullshit is actually a little more exciting than fighting random assholes all over Ijincho. He throws himself into combat, diving under the arc of an axe, and twisting his body up to pepper the skeleton's shin with enough kicks to make Chun-Li proud.]

Okay, get ready to fuck this guy up!

Or engage Zhao in the shenanigans of your choice, he's pretty chill like that.

1. Here we go again.

[It felt like yesterday when Daria woke up in an unfamiliar place almost entirely unprompted. Well, it's only happened a couple of times. Weird though that it happened that many.

It took her a second to realize she was in a...crow's nest, and another additional second to realize she was in the universe's worst clothes. They didn't fit her hardly at all. The gods being unkind to fit her in almost completely fallen apart rags that sagged and dragged in inopportune areas. Okay, so, a ship.

Step one: get off ship and figure out where the hell you are.

There's some weird girl wandering around the deck now in very gross and hideous clothes, even for what newcomers might come in.]

Ah, super.

[Weird girl sighting, maybe approach?]

2. A night for pranks. Or maybe her glasses got pranked. Whichever. Now leave me alone.

[At some point she was going to have to leave the ship and figure things out in the open. Thankfully, as much as Daria hated dressing up, there were outfits and costumes for what looked like a Halloween festival thing. This was safe. So Daria started cautiously wandering around, looking over the stalls and cheap, totally not scammy, games. Some of the party go-ers were very rude; shoving and pushing her, accidentally knocking off her glasses, etc.

Maybe at one point, you could find her losing her glasses and helping a blind girl...? Or perhaps you caught her trying to screw with people who got on her last nerve; maybe they pranked her or tried to steal from her. None the less, she could probably spook them. She doesn't move a single muscle on her face doing it, speaking in that serious monotone.]

I'm sure you heard about the spirit that haunts these grounds, I have. You better be careful out there. In all of the nights, I'd hate to see these streets covered in-

[Details.]

3. Snacks? Snacks...?

[Needless to say, she didn't trust the food. In fact, she was staring at the bountiful offerings and looking around. Her stomach would loudly lurch but...distrust.

Maybe you caught her staring really hard and not moving a muscle on eating a thing. God, she was hungry. But she didn't want to be hungry and stupid. She's had cursed food before.]

4. Gardens.

[Daria would be seen doing various things here. It was more quiet, secluded. Some events include:

a) Walking calmly along the gardens and gazing at the flowers. The effects come and go.

b) Sitting by and watching the lanterns other makes with a source of additional light and writing something or reading a book she found. Peace.

c. She literally just walked by the fountain and fate decided to splash her front in red wine. Of course.]

i. STORMBRINGER—on deck

[Okay. So. A whole lot has happened over a very short period of time, and even though Alphen has ticked all of the necessary getting-started checkboxes, he still looks a bit…shocked by the whole thing.

I mean, who wouldn't be after being magically kidnapped and told "yer a pirate, Alphen!" Iron Mask, Blazing Sword, Sovereign—and now Corsair? It's a lot.

He's spending a lot of time on deck, right now. Nothing like some fresh air to help you think! …and maybe make you feel a little nostalgic, too. But you can be sure he's not just standing around looking pensive—he's been put to work helping people out of the precarious arrival conditions. Maybe you're one of those people? He can be found untangling people from nets, throwing life preservers to those in the water, and he might even end up catching some poor soul who appeared in midair.]

Steady now. I've got you. Are you alright?

[Later, as the sun sets, he finally takes a bit of a break. Yeah, this one's the "randomly talking to people" prompt. He's a friendly guy, so he'll talk to just about anyone—that being the case, don't be surprised if he offers a friendly smile and starts up a conversation.]

It still seems so hard to believe. Are the people here really from all kinds of different worlds?

ii. ELTRUT
a—riftfaring riffraff

[Oh boy, give this idiot technology. That won't go wrong in any way. Alphen immediately starts playing around with the Shellphone, trying to figure out how it works. It's not as if there was no tech on Dahna…just that most Dahnans weren't actually allowed to use it. So it's kind of interesting, having this thing that is, as far as he can tell, just his. To play around with.

Hence the following video message.]

Type: video
Sender ID: sincleavers
To: everyone, unfortunately

[It's his face. A really unflattering angle on his face. He seems to be muttering to himself.]

—see. So if I tap on this… [The video makes a few standard device tapping sounds as he deadass presses random buttons to see what they'll do. The video does some interesting things, flipping around and then turning so it's facing the ground and his feet.] I don't understand. Is it supposed to be doing something? I guess I can just keep pushing dif—

[oh, look, he found the off switch!]

[Anyway, after he's had his stupid "fun" with the Shellphone, he goes about exploring the area. He can be found in plenty of different places, but seems most fascinated by the octopus doing tattoos. You'd think the man had never seen an octopus, right?

Joke's on you. He hasn't.]

I guess all those arms would come in handy for this kind of work, huh.

[He, too, is sporting one: the Sovereign crest, over his left shoulder.]

b—festival

[Alphen's first stop is the food. What can I say—he is but a simple man. In all honesty, he'll gravitate toward the spicy stuff, starting with the fruit-and-pumpkin skewers. When the vendors refuse to just give him the chili powder so he can dump an utterly unhinged amount on, he decides to try something else.

Ghoul pepper squid stir-fry? Don't mind him, he's downing it. All of this spicy food he eats without breaking a sweat, no matter how hot it is.]

It's not bad— [he'll say to anyone joining him in this stir-fry challenge.] The flames might be overkill, though. It wasn't that spicy.

[Wasn't that spicy?? Sir. Please.]

iii. NAUGHTILUST—masquerade

[To say that Alphen looks less than thrilled might just be an understatement. He doesn't seem to mind the outfit he's been put in—though he doesn't seem to find the white a particularly useful color—but the mask? That's got him feeling some kind of way.]

Is this really necessary?

[Like…hasn't he spent enough time wearing masks?? Come on.

Anyway, once he Gets Over It, he finds himself enjoying the party overall. They didn't really have parties on Dahna—not like this, at least. So it's kind of interesting. It's also a way to meet new people. While he's looking for a few people in particular, he'll strike up a conversation with just about anyone.]

WILDCARD
[interested in doing something not in these prompts? lay it on me! i'm up for quests, other prompts, or totally random stuff. i can be reached on plurk

posolutely if you want to talk it out first]

Edited 2023-10-13 18:15 (UTC)

I. when i think about you, oh, oh, oh; ( ► arrival. )

a.
[ perhaps unsurprisingly, the waters are far from still today. is it possible they anticipate the arrival of new blood? maybe, or just as likely is that there's at least one arrival making waves. there's little time for the confusion to set in for aerith, who had already been wet with rainwater when she'd plonked down into the sea. at leas, she's aware enough to be cognizant of the fact she should have been, but it hardly metters because she's soaked to the very bone now.

by the time she's found some driftwood or plank or something equally woody to cling to, aerith's near the last one in the water, if not the sole remainder, clinging onto her makeshift raft much in the same way a cub clings to it's mother. ]

Hello? Over here! [ one arm up, body half submerged, the girl with long oaken toned hair is desperately trying to catch someone's attention. literally anyone will do— although, it's only a matter of time until she attracts something else with all that movement, isn't it? ]

Help! Please? [ at least she's polite. ]

b.
Look out below! [ you've found yourself crossing beneath a bridge, whereupon two staircases bookend the structure. Through the hollow of it, you can hear the echo of a chipper warning, and then a whistling noise...

before a chest slams into the cobblestone before you.

look up, and you'll see a young woman with long, wavy, brown hair and green eyes pouting dramatically, arms crossed and elbows balanced upon the lip of the bridge. she says nothing for a time, one brow raised in consideration and lip only slightly upturned in disappointing before she humorlessly quips: ]

Did it break?

[ she's wearing the rags of riftfarers, and has seemingly hauled her... chest... all this way just to drop it. hm. ]

II. when i think about you, oh, oh; ( ► ghoul's moon festival. )

a.
[ by the time the festival has rolled around, aerith has thankfully managed to smash into her chest, somehow, and is now wearing her hair up with her iconic ribbon pinning a long rope braid into place. it's not so easy to spot her, however, as it's gone a particularly sweet shade of pumpkin orange in order to match her costume; she's eagerly plucked out a devil costume, you see, peter pan pants and all. it hardly matters, though, because misfortune strikes her quite early into the evening: ]

Ow! [ payback for the bridge incident, maybe? someone, blindfolded, has smacked her with a mallet. to their credit, she's almost the same size as the cardboard ghosts? ] Not me!

[ a beat.

another mallet smack. ] Hey!

b.
[ if there is one thing about aerith that will simply not change regardless of where the powers that be shall deposit her, it's that she will always help someone out. as such, she can be spotted peddling a number of goods out in the streets during the festival, and by god, she is good at it. chipper, friendly, and happy to rely on her charm as a young woman, aerith is a hardworking saleswoman who... won't force you into it, but look: do you really want to turn down free food? ]

Here, for you. [ by the time she's found you, the goods are nearly depleted. as such, she bothers little with giving a price for them; but should you trust her? really? she's holding up a plate, half gone and littered with remnants of flakes, a benign and sweet smile playing at her lips.

a note: i'll be randomizing whatever she's handing out, so if you want a preference, please state it! ]

III. flowers grow out of my grave; ( ► grand masquerade. )

a.
[ there is a woman dress in red, hair decorated with live, sweet smelling flowers, matching sandal heels and a mask with jewels that, if you look closely, seem to map out constellations. maybe they're real, maybe they're not. who is to say? she never really dawdles in one spot for long, and seems to avoid the dancefloor. perhaps there's a reason, or maybe it's just as simply shyness nipping at her starry heels.

as such, you'll see her again, out in the courtyard where the gardens are blooming with a saccharine heaviness in the air. there she is, among the flowers, head dipped in consideration as she flicks her fingers through stalk after stalk of flower. roses and asters and stonecrops, each of them woven expertly into a bouquet but ever more laid out before her and...

wait, she might know what she's doing, because there's a scissor simply placed near her. her emerald green gaze lifts, and aerith cants her head as she spots you. there's only a shadow of a smile on her lips, something lit up by the maroon moonlight. her lipstick matches the slivers dancing along through the hedges and branches, cutting her form into stripes of white and blood red. ]

You've got nice hands. Here. [ she shimmies a little to the side, making room next to her. ] That lady over there— [ she points, rudely perhaps, to a woman in a peacock outfit who looks quite... well, like she's having an awful time, really. ] she offered to pay me for a bouquet. I'll give you a cut if you help me out with this. She wants something... big. [ aerith puckers her lips in consideration before holding up the bouquet, and tilting her head in thought. ] Too small?

[ it fits in her hands, which is... well. she's practically made of bird bones, this one. ]

b.
[ fontana del vino is her next stop in the gardens, and she's mostly goaded into this— still, a bit of fun never hurt, right? something's got her feeling a little loose already, and it's hard to say what. something she drank, maybe? but aerith's only drunk water here.

she's not much of a climber, so she need help getting up onto the statue. the party-goer who helps her is sopping wet with wine, smells thickly of alcohol, and yet... well, it's the freest thing here, in truth. she's not much for the stuffiness of the whole thing, even if it's fulfilling a curiosity in her. ]

Okay, I'm up! [ she catches her balance, finally standing straight after a long struggle. your opponent is a thin woman in a velvet dress.

she is never going to pay off this gown. ]

IV. grave, grave, grave; ( ► wildcard/ooc. )

a.
[ none of these tickle your fancy, but still wanna tag aerith? i'd love to do ghost ship stuff! aerith would totally be down to drop pumpkin bombs, and wax poetic about death in front of the giant tombstone. as for quests: i'd adore the chance to do corpse-a-corps (aerith would sympathize with the guy, actually!), and conch shell stories would tell tales of the cetra for her, so if you want to learn about aerith's heritage, i'd love to do that too!

you can contact me through pm, or on plurk @ hagclub. i'm happy to write you a personalized starter. you are also super duper welcome to hit me with your own prompt. i love it, i promise! thanks for your time <3 ]

Edited 2023-10-13 18:10 (UTC)

[ Yuta didn't mind pranks - even enjoyed them - when they're all in good fun. When everyone was in on the joke and giving each other a hard time. What he hated, to a perhaps vehemently violent extent, were bullies. ]

[ So, when he saw someone knock a girl who looked a bit older than him to the ground - Yuta was about five seconds away from attacking those people. ]

[ He went to help Daria instead, locating her glasses. ]

[ As he handed them to her, and she gave him that spooky story - he grinned a little. Something to do? ]

Really? There's something like that lurking around here?

I. New Arrival
[Rin's survived on sheer luck before, but it seems like luck isn't on her side this time around.

There's a loud crash when she lands in the water, followed up a guttural war cry that leaves her lips when she hits the water and essentially starts to sink. Her arms flailing around in the water, before realizing quickly that she knew how to swim. Hurriedly getting her bearings together, and swimming up to the surface to catch her breath.

She's survived again, and rescued, which she is grateful for. However, when her clothes are replaced with rags, she doesn't look too happy. None the less, there's that beaming smile on her usual expression.]

Helloooo~ Thank you for rescuing me from the water!

[Upon first glance, some may notice that she is very tall, standing at 6'4 in height.]

II. Festival
[Usually she's a sucker for wearing a nice costume during the ocassion, but she passes this time. Far too distracted by the festivities that surround her, since she rarely got to participate. Although, she isn't much for the games, and instead, you'll find her near the food stall. Particularly the fruit and pumpkin skewers, since she liked spicy food.

It's not spicy enough for her though, but the effects of the food are starting to take effect.]

Hey old man, this isn't spicy enough! Can I get more chili powder?

[Why... Is she talking much faster than normal.]

III. Masquerade
[A masquerade was the last thing she wanted to attend. There was some lasting trauma from the last masquerade that she went to, with her husband being caught in the cross fire and nearly dying. It wasn't a fun experience, and she's a bit hesitent to go, until she notices the outfits and masks that are provided to attend the masquerade.

She'll keep her comments to herself, knowing full well she could make something better than this, but... She'll just wear the outfit and mask for fun, she supposes. She'll just have to push past that trauma for now.

She's not participating in any of the adult features. Funny enough, you can find her toward the more family friendly entertainment. Happily watching the musicians play their music, while she takes small sips of wine from her cup.]

[ooc; Helloooo! Feel free to DM me at

hepaticas or DM this journal if you'd like a custom starter!!]

[ Yuta was just sitting down to try the spicy stir fry now - he hadn't had a taste yet. Alphen's pronouncement was definitely giving him a false sense of confidence. He raised his eyebrows at him. ]

Really? It's that mild?

[Daria regarded her guest neutrally…a bit heartened that someone bothered to help her. She dusted off her glasses, checked for scratches and gently nodded to the rude passerby’s next to them.

Play along, her look beckoned. The nice person didn’t deserve to be too pranked and spooked. Hopefully, he picked up her signal. She didn’t know this person so she couldn’t judge his character but, be damned if she had hope.]

Yes sir, why else would there be such a prestigious celebration on these grounds? I thought everyone knew the legend. Or heard the blood curdling screams at the dead of night.

Edited 2023-10-13 18:34 (UTC)

[Daria had done well to keep her composure all night. Stay distant until she knew what the hell she got herself into this time. Antisocial as she was, she couldn’t avoid everyone forever. So when Aerith stuck the plate out in front of her, she tried to not visibly frown. This didn’t spell safe yet to her, but she couldn’t help but regard the demeanor of the stranger.]

Uh, no thanks. I’m not hungry, and I’m pretty broke.

[She was starving, but a stranger can’t know that. Not until she knew anything.]

[ He blinked. Yuta was actually pretty quick on the uptake. That look Daria gave him - this was just a spooky story. Something that maybe would intimidate the people pushing her around. ]

[ A tiny part of him was disappointed there wasn't something to fight and defeat - well. Not a monster, anyway. ]

[ So play along he did. Both Daria and the bullies might not realize just how true his words were. A dark look crossed his face. ]

Oh. That. I've heard of that legend, too. One such ghost is with us right now - she waits in the shadows, ever-listening. When she hears the right kind of mocking laughter, sees a certain sort of sneer on someone's face - that's when she'll strike out from the dark.

Hungry.

1. STARTER 1 - ARRIVAL

[ of course he'd end up in the water.

one ship in a bottle later, ren finds himself breathing in salty seawater as he tries to float to the surface of the ocean. what... the hell.

it's not long before he eventually breaks upwards to air, spitting out seawater and flailing a little as he tries to get his bearings, salt water burning his eyes and throat as he coughs it out. ]

2. STARTER 2 - SNOBBERY

[ after getting the rundown and being... acclimated (more or less), ren finds himself with the option of a hot beverage. oh, perfect. he's so grateful for the opportunity and answers "coffee" right away, and is amazed when he is actually given a cup. maybe brought by someone else to this strange place? either way, he's not going to complain--

that is, until he actually takes a sip.

even his usually incredible poker face breaks at the taste. oh, that's just... awful. so awful. he can't help but let his features squish up at it. someone either didn't grind the beans correctly, or didn't use the right temperature, or let it sit out too long-- or all of the above. eurgh. what does he expect on a ship, sure, but like-- he misses leblanc's coffee, or even his own made at home in a simple chemex. ]

3. GHOST PINATAS

[ hitting something with a bat as a form of release sounds absolutely amazing right now after all this chaos and strangeness, so of course ren's signed up for it. he has some experience at a batting cage, but... that was with his eyes open, so this is a little different.

currently, his eyes are blindfolded shut as he twirls a plastic mallet in his hands showily and tries to listen for the "ghosts" and the people directing him. ]

Let's do it. [ he says confidently, giving another showy twirl. ]

4. FRUIT AND PUMPKIN SKEWERS

[ honestly? they taste delicious, especially the ones with chili powder. however... ren has yet to notice the other effects on him, which is to say, that intense energy they've filled him with.

he's chowing down on a second skewer now, eager and suddenly very very excited for the entire festival situation around him. he glances at a passerby eagerly. ]

Hey. Have you tried this?

5. BLIND DANCING AND/OR GEMS

[ the idea of a masquerade is an intriguing one. ren's certainly come to feel more like himself in a mask, after all, so he can't help but take part in such an event so close to suddenly being transported to a strange world.

as much as he'd love to use a mask that looks just like what he's used to, he's refrained for the sake of anyone else from his world who might be here; instead, he's gone with a black and red one with antennae and feather that resemble his persona arsene, and is dressed like him as well, frills and all.

it makes him feel a little more comfortable in a strange place... that is, until he's suddenly blinded and given a strange pink gem upon his outfit, wherein he ends up nearby someone else that he's allegedly supposed to dance with.

well. fake it 'til you make it, after all. ]

May I have this dance? [ he asks, giving a small bow in what he sure hopes is the direction of the other person. ]

6. PUMPKIN BOMBS

[ as bizarre as this entire thing is, ren's at least glad he managed to make it to that weird tattoo shop beforehand.

because currently he's being attacked by a pumpkin.

it's certainly not the first time, nor will it be the last he's sure-- but it is the first time in this place, and they seem much less jovial than the ones he's used to. he shoots a bit of dark magic at one and watches as it starts to get bigger instead of appearing to take any damage.

he casts his gaze about wildly, landing upon the nearest person. ]

Help me with this?

[oh no...oh no...]

I'm not sure I'd say mild, but I've definitely had spicier. [He neglects to mention that this was because his taste buds weren't working for a few centuries.] It's got some kick, but...it's really more of a gentle kick.

[I'm so sorry. This is not an accurate description of the stir-fry at all.]

[Jackpot. A willing participant. Utterly wonderful. Daria’s composure was rock solid, but she let out an amused eyebrow raise at his direction before regarding to the scumbags in front of her.]

They say she sought out the laughter because it reminded her of her tormentors, you know the story. Once she finds a victim, one with a most wicked heart, she goes for all of the senses. It’s all possible but you could smell smoldering ash in the back of your nose. Or the ringing of blood lust laughter in your ear. A taste of metal or something peppery. Or you see something red in the corner of your eye…

[ Yuta grinned, with all of the overconfidence of a teenager being given free food being told 'hey, bet you can't eat this.' He bet he could. Alphen gave him all the more confidence still. ]

Huh. All right. I'm definitely giving this a shot, then.

One order of stir fry, please! And uh, a drink I guess. [ Yuta can't wait to tuck in! He smiled at the guy next to him. ] My name's Yuta.

Aw c'mon, you gotta put some backbone into it!

[He thinks it's hilarious that he and his weapon have been divinely blessed considering all the shit he's done in his life. But if someone's passing out the key to victory, Zhao would be foolish to pass it up.

So he's going to do a neat little saber trick and make the pumpkin explode with a flourish.]

Now you try it!

Red? [ Yuta blinked at her, an innocently puzzled expression on his face. He tilted his head in Daria's direction, asking; ] Are you sure it's not a bone-white?

[ It's not really Rika anymore. He's let her go a long time ago. But it's his memory of her - and more importantly, completely under his control. Large, white clawed hands appeared behind them both as if emerging from the shadows - followed by a mouth with too many teeth ... ]

[ Chances are, their tormentors are likely going to scream and run. Yuta's hoping Daria won't turn around just that moment - or, if she does, that she isn't squeamish. He'll have Rika disappear in a second, Yuta would rather the older girl turn to see nothing at all. ]

Aww, c'mon. [ the plate in aerith's hands is pushed a little closer, so daria can get a better look at the plate of skull buns, each of them glistening with the promise of baked goodness. ] I know they look a little ghoulish, but they're tasty. Promise.

[ with a tilt of her head, she looks daria up and down before idly commenting. ] Besides, the price depends on the customer.

Good call. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

[... rip

That said, in spite of the completely inaccurate stir-fry assessment, he seems pretty friendly, offering a broad smile.]

Nice to meet you, Yuta. My name's Alphen.

[ the archway they meet under is lined with small pumpkins, orange and white, and vines twisting all along the metal, as if magicked to grow there. it is a chance meeting, one flanked by other masquerade goers, and the pair of them, in red and white, look like they're ready for a queen's card party. a deck of cards on display. ]

Maybe. [ there's a cant of her head, green gaze fixed on his. ] You know what they say. When in Midgar, do as the Midgarians do?

[ they do not say that. all the same, the woman in the red velvet dress with her hair decorated for the occasion almost seems a little more convinced with her own words. ]

It probably can't kill me! [ Yuta laughed brightly. Ah, how true that was. ]

[ It's just food. A portion of stir fry was set in front of him, and Yuta took the chopsticks and thanked them for the food. ]

[ He's cheerfully smiling back at Alphen, just as friendly. ] Nice to meet you too! Considering we're all pirates, most people here have been pretty friendly.

[ Now it's time to try a bite ... ]

-ARRIVAL-

[Growing up in a port town, Darin is no stranger to ships. Honestly, he'd done his fair share of work on them growing up when he was allowed. Everything about the sea captivated him. It represented this big, unknowable world full of freedom and knowledge. After he had to go on the run, he'd find himself missing the sea breeze.]

[But he didn't miss it enough to be dropped into it from an undisclosed-but-still-kinda-dangerous height.]

[Hopefully you're on the deck of the Stormbringer admiring the vast ocean before you because this 6'3" hunk of idiot is falling from the sky and hitting the water with a colossal splash. You'd be forgiven if you thought he was a cannonball.]

-FESTIVAL-

[Darin wasn't especially thrilled with the idea of this new life, but it was a far cry better than his old one. At least as a corsair, he'd have freedom to do what he wanted and live how he wanted to live. Plus, if it meant harmlessly harassing the Paladins...well, sign him up.]

[For now, though, he's just trying to get used to this new world. He felt like he didn't stand out so much here with his bright blue hair considering there seemed to be far stranger people among the locals. And with a festival kicking off, this seemed like the perfect time to get acquainted with people. Maybe make some connections. After all, a master blacksmith had to be useful here, right?]

[Naturally, he's at the barrel-boat building competition and he's leveraging his expertise and experience to build the best damn boat he can. He hasn't assembled anything yet but he's sitting down with some pretty elaborate looking blueprints.]

Okay, so this thing isn't exactly hydrodynamic. There's gotta be a way to make it cut through the water better...

[He forgot he's supposed to be decorating it.]

-MASQUERADE-

[Darin wasn't exactly super keen on dressing up. When you're built as muscular as he is, suits tend to be confining. The man never wears sleeves and now he's expected to be in formal attire?]

[But it'd be a shame to miss out on an event, especially when the clothes are provided for you. So, clad in a black suit, black vest with silver embroidery, and a demon mask (someone's idea of a joke, obviously) he makes his way to the ballroom.]

[It looks like he's attracted the fancy of a siren because he's been stuck with a purple gem and blinded, leaving him stuck with a dance partner he can't see.]

Whoa, okay. Uh...I'm not the only one who can't see, right? That's not just a 'me' thing? Should I be panicking?

-GHOST SHIP-

No. Nope. No! Absolutely not! You can get on that ship and go to hell! I'm not going!

[Darin might not have realized what he'd been signing up for. Once he realized he was on a ship bound for the Ghost ship to investigate, he very quickly headed for the deck. In fact, it looks like he's about to jump overboard.]

I'm not going on that thing! I'd rather swim back to my own world before I set foot on that ship! Why the hell are we investigating it anyway?! Just leave it alone! It'll go away! It's gonna go away, right?!

[Darin might have a bit of a problem with ghosts.]

[He can't help but chuckle at the attitude. That's the way to do it, right? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, anyway.]

I noticed that, too. You'd think people would be more nervous about it, but...maybe people have a better opinion of pirates than they do in other places.

[He's so utterly clueless when it comes to the food thing, so hopefully that bit was true about it not being able to kill the guy.]

[It's picturesque, this whole place. Much nicer than most of what he's used to on Dahna, but he's hopeful that that'll change, eventually. For now, he has to put thoughts of home aside -- at least until he figures out a way out of here.

But he's certainly not doing so at the party, especially when friendly company appears at his side.]

I-- can't say I've ever heard that, actually. [A sheepish smile.] But I think I get the idea. We're here now, so, we'd might as well enjoy it, right?

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« october: ghoul's moon (test sail) »

GETTING STARTED

ELTRUT: FESTIVAL

NAUGHTILUST: MASQUERADE

GHOST SHIP

QUESTS

QUESTIONS

Zechs Merquise | Gundam Wing | Paladin | TDM

Zhao Tianyou | Yakuza: Like a Dragon | OTA | Corsair | TDM

Daria Morgendorffer - Daria - Corsair - TDM

alphen | tales of arise | corsair | TDM

aerith gainsborough | final fantasy vii r | paladin | tdm

2. Pranks!

Rin Nesidri | Original Character | Corsair | TDM

ii.b. spice spice baby

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ren amamiya (joker) | persona 5 royal | corsairs | TDM

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Darin Altway | Original Character | Corsair | TDM

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