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Welcome to the first 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 invitations from the mods can actually reserve on August 25th and apply on September 1st. Our Interest Check can be found here.

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice. If undecided, put "Undecided" for the Armada.

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 carryover the threads. We'll have more armada focused prompts in the opening log in September. The log itself is set to cover the next two weeks, 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.

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR MAGIC USERS!! All magic abilities will be "sealed" until characters get their tattoo from the Inkwave parlor in Eltrut. That means no magic on the starter ships before docking.

We do require TDM threads for samples for our application!

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 August 28)

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

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.

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

After reaching the port of Eltrut, several birdfolk will appear and happily greet all the new arrivals from both starter ships. Here it doesn't matter which side they are affiliated with, as long as they keep those swords and weapons sheathed and not pointed at each other's throats. The birdfolk will even act as guides, showing them the main places they should visit and give them a visitor's map to help guide them.

🐚 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.

It's a lot to take in for sure, with the port city bustling with all walks of life. Not only do they have both armadas mingling with each other, there are different races and species from all over Escordvi gathered here. It's not just humans, which many riftfarers always seem to be surprised about. There are also plenty of veteran riftfarers who will gladly give some advice and even share stories of their world. Maybe some are familiar.

After finding their belongings, exploring the town, and meeting other people, being able to just sit back and enjoy a drink and warm meal will be in order. While there are plenty of places to choose from, the Minstrel and Cask will be the top recommended tavern for all newcomers to visit at least once. Great drinks, great food, and can learn a lot from the patrons or meet more people.

Of course, as expected of a highly popular tavern, it's not always peaceful. A man will ask travelers what they want to do with their life. Clearly drunk, he only accepts answers that hint at wanting to find riches. If told this he will give out a treasure map. But if told anything else, he'll put up a fight, hoping to deliver a black eye. Those who do receive the map will be sorely disappointed—it will lead them down a long, winding, circuitous path around town and end at a random outhouse, likely occupied and certainly stinking to high heavens. There's likely some kind of moral here, but at some point, others who have been duped will return to the tavern to sling their fists around.

Looks like another tavern brawl for the night.

QUESTS

For those who want to try their hand at some quests, there are a few that would do well for newcomers. 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.

Spicy Squid Eating Challenge

Eltrut Port

There is a traveling food ship (think food truck but on the water) that has been going around challenging ships to their extraordinary Hornswaggle's Spicy Squid Eating Challenge. If participants can scarf down a prepared three-pound bowl of exceptionally spicy ghost pepper squid and rice, they will win their meal for free as well as a crate of dried spicy squid for their ship's stores. If participants fail, they will have to pay for the meal and the crate.

...Careful, are some of the squid tentacles still moving?

Coral Reef Snacks

Eltrut

Rumour has it that certain types of coral reefs contain unique properties that can make you more alluring to the one you desire, but no one is sure what the side effects are. Test this out by trying to crunch into chunks of coral reef pieces to see if there are any added effects on your body. Hopefully, they don't ruin your teeth in the meantime.

Oh, and you have to find the correct coral reef too! Red chunks seem to make you more affectionate towards others, while blue chunks seem to make you more volatile towards others. Eaters, beware!

Giant Sea Slugs

Starter Ships

Giant sea slugs tend to only attack ships if they feel threatened but are otherwise peaceful creatures. They're about the size of a large wild cat. They also secrete a slime that contains strong disinfectant properties. This thick slime is highly sought after for its ability to heal wounds cleanly, so kill them and collect as much slime as possible.

Killer Sharkgulls

Eltrut port and ships

Seagulls can be a pain to most ships. Yet, seagulls that have evolved to be violently carnivorous can be even worse. These new birds, effectively named sharkgulls, have been seen attacking ships and ports alike. They are big enough to eat small children in one gulp or will do their best to eat full-grown humans after they've ripped them to bite-sized shreds. Beware and kill them before they can kill you!

Siren's Serenade

Out at Sea

A merchant's ship has crashed upon an outcropping of rocks after being lured in by a group of rogue sirens. These captivating creatures possess the power to ensnare their prey with their enchanting voices, luring unsuspecting souls into the depths to meet the grim fate of drowning.

Search for the missing ship and help rescue the captive sailors before it's too late! You will be supplied with special earplugs to muffle out the siren's voices so be careful to keep your ears effectively plugged. You don't want to succumb to the siren's bloodlust yourself.

Any sailors or rescuers affected by the siren's song can be treated with a harpy's potion that can reverse the song's effect. Or tie up the afflicted for twenty-four hours to wait out the effects.

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[ He might be able to manage words technically, but in practice, probably not. He held up nine fingers instead. The ninth month, September. ]

Tuna.

So your luck was as bad as mine with that.

[unfortunate that someone else was that unlucky. hopefully roxas sunk a little less than eizen at least. he'd come just a bit too close to sinking like a rock all the way to the bottom this time. not a good time.]

It's a rough way to start things off. [eizen pauses and adds.] And it looks like it only got rougher for you after that.

[those injuries look pretty recent so they probably happened after arriving.]

[ It's tenuous ground for a paladin to admit. But justice is strict, and actions are absolute. While it's true that Xenk could very well kill Astarion -- likely his Oath would not break for it, his heart would.

Astarion is his friend. He is someone who understands the burden he bears. He is someone who has never had freedom, who was mistreated and enthralled, but who still, deep down, bears the seed of something good. For if he didn't, he wouldn't be so insistent -- he wouldn't push Xenk away, for his own good.

Ultimately, he cares. And no matter what his life was before, he has a new opportunity now. Xenk keeps his eyes cast to the horizon, complete and total certainty in his voice as he says: ]

I will not. For I do not believe it will be.

[ But he does turn to pour himself some more tea. ]

Regardless, how I treat you is my choice. Just as I am choosing to spend this evening by your side.

[ Astarion seems to breathe a little easier when Xenk changes the topic of conversation--an out, away from all of this.

Especially since it's so easy to take what Xenk says as flirting. He grins, and taps Xenk's foot with his foot under the table. ]

Oh, is that what you're doing? Spending the evening "by my side"?

[ His brow furrows and he looks just a little puzzled by Astarion's description. There would have been more of a reaction if Xenk hadn't told him about what undead were; doesn't seem like you get more "dead brought back to some form of life" than a skeleton that "hangs out". Magic is so cool, honestly.

But anyway. ]

I see. So if you're obstinate, you get left behind.

[ He almost said "put in time out" but Astarion is being so good right now. ]

I take it the bard is your leader?

This is super weird. I mean - [ Yuta made a vague sort of gesture - ] beyond us getting kidnapped by a random ship in a bottle that rolled by my feet.

[ That could be a run-of-the-mill curse, honestly. But this part? He explained; ] It's December when I'm from. So either there's time travel involved - or it's messed with our memories.

Yes, or if your skillset isn't needed for the particular thing that needs doing.

[ He never gets put in time out, thanks!! everyone needs his lockpicking. ]

Yes, they're really organizing everything.

[ They've probably made it into the port town proper now so I guess they're just gonna stand here and chat like losers who don't actually want to leave each other's company but keep pretending they do. ]

[eizen'd been about ready to shut him up himself, but tifa beats him to the punch--err, kneeing. as he watches the guy slump to the floor, he can't help by admire that level of directness. not bad. reminds him of velvet in a no bullshit way.

his posture relaxes a little as he shoves his hands into his pockets while nodding in the direction of the door.]

That drunk by the entrance made empty promises of treasure to a lot of people. A good handful of those people came back and weren't exactly happy to have gone on a wild goose chase.

[which, hey, understandable. if eizen was as gullible as them, he'd be pissed, too.]

And they ended up dragging half this place into their mess.

[ Xenk is very good at talking. Even about himself! Even about things most people wouldn't bother to explain. He tilts his head in confusion at Alucard's gesture though. He's not so sure that things could change so easily, when the tattoo in his hand merely brought his magic back...

But all the same, that may be conversation for another day. Or Alucard can press him on his next turn. For now, he is playing the game. ]

The Underdark is what we call the series of cavernous depths that exist beneath Faerun. It is a largely lawless place, filled with monsters and creatures that shy from the sun and exist in great fallen temples and ancient cities. The duergar, or deep gnomes, call the Underdark home, though their great civilization has fallen to ruin of late. The drow, a subset of the elves, have many great cities there as well, with great clans that often wage war with one another. They do not welcome outsiders.

[ That's a nice way of saying that the drow kill outsiders on sight, basically. ]

[ Xenk is completely oblivious to how his words sounded. He seems completely confused, the meaning still unclear to him even as Astarion taps him with his foot. ]

Yes? That is what I said.

[ He's totally missing the context here. Better clue him in. ]

We are enjoying the sunset together, are we not?

[ Buddy, Xenk, is this kind of a date? ]

Yes, it certainly seems like we are.

[ he can't do it...Xenk will just end up saying something too real.... ]

[ Without clarification, Xenk merely thinks Astarion concurs with his statement.

They are enjoying the sunset together. It's nice. Spending time with Astarion is nice. They're friends!!! ]

Good.

[ Xenk smiles a fool's smile. He gazes back at the sunset. ]

Even here, the sun sets as it does in Faerun. It's beautiful.

[ But the company is better. He doesn't say that though. He's not really sure why, but it just feels better in his head, unsaid. ]

[ Astarion watches it, too. Xenk is right, the colors are beautiful. And Baldur's Gate is a harbor town, after all, he likes how it looks with the water. ]

It's nice to see, again.

[ They're definitely going to be just standing there for a moment while Alucard's eyes do a sweep of the surroundings, eventually finding what he thinks is the medicinal shop where Astarion said the harpy was a shopkeeper. Hm. Maybe if he walks them slowly over that way as if he's trying to avoid foot traffic while they talk, his bite-riddled companion will get a bright idea... ]

Gallant, altruistic, organized... Quite the troubadour.

[ This might recall to mind Alucard's way of keeping notes on the people he's met. ]

What about the others? What are they like?

[ Alucard assumes Astarion isn't going to give him the full run-down, just the ones most notable to him. ]

[ He does not need to be fussed over!! But he follows although it's clear he's not happy about it!!

Also shit i did count minsc last time pretend he said nine and that i can actually count people. I feel like I'm doing the prayer in the sound of music like "and god bless whats his name" ]

A very talented wizard, a cleric who prays to a goddess of darkness, a warlock with a demon, a tiefling who fought in the blood wars, a githyanki who could break me in half. A couple of druids, who are probably the most normal of all of us.

[ a beat--he hasn't said anything sexual yet, but don't worry: ]

One of them is built like a damned tree, and I would happily climb him.

[ Xenk, you stupid, dumb idiot. This is a date!! He really doesn't realize it. Even as he turns to Astarion, even as he sets aside his now-cold tea.

He's just thinking about sunsets, and how Astarion didn't see one for 200 years. And how that makes his slow-beating heart ache. ]

Is it as you remember?

Edited (he's dead!! I blame him being dead) 2023-08-30 05:28 (UTC)

I don't know. 200 years was a long time ago.

[ He doesn't remember what it was like. At least back in Faerun he's seen a few sunsets since he got tadpoled. ]

[ Xenk hums with a nod. If Astarion can't remember that, then he must have forgotten much of his life from before. It seems strange for an elf to forget something over what is relatively a normal amount of time, but...

With great trauma, anyone can be made to forget. And Cazador had made Astarion forget. ]

The sunsets in Thay were much the same. They do not change overmuch.

[ He's not saying 'you've seen one, you've seen 'em all,' but he is saying, 'you aren't missing out on much by not remembering.' ]

[ Wowww, he's not fussing! He's just walking here! Also, he might just be trying to get a peek through the window at the harpy - you don't know!!

Alucard is just going to pretend like he didn't only understood half of those descriptions. Only two of them seem to be of interest for now. He chuckles at the innuendo. ]

I can't say I know what a druid is. Should you be worried about splinters?

[ Astarion laughs at that ]

No, they're a type of spellcaster whose magic comes from nature. They can usually shape shift into an animal. He becomes a bear.

[ he also is a bear, if you know what I mean ]

I know. But still...it is nice, isn't it? Being able to see it. Being able to see the sun at all, every single day.

[ He missed this. It feels novel and new every new dawn. ]

It is nice.

[ Xenk doesn't often use the word "nice," but Astarion is right. It's nice. For over 100 years Xenk has seen the sun rise and set, yet the sun never set quite so beautifully as when you realize that there are those who could never see it at all.

He can't imagine having to miss out on the sun every day. Certainly he would grow used to it, but he would miss it all the same. ]

It gladdens me that you are able to. It is a terrible thing to miss.

[ Both brows lift. ]

That's incredible.

[ He means it, too. There is more in his world than the elemental magic humans usually use, but the ability to shape shift into an animal is probably reserved for some enchanted item a magician cooked up at some point. ]

Does magic not all come from nature in your world?

It's still only fleeting. When we finish our quest and get rid of the tadpoles and their magic, I'll lose it again. I may as well enjoy it while I can.

[ Unless...? ]

I don't know why the tadpole still works here. But I see no reason to question it, for now.

If they're all going to be like this one, it doesn't seem like putting up a fuss will even matter.

[ And what a let down that is! If they're going to cause a scene, someone should at least appreciate it! ]

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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