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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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[She carefully takes his fork in turn, keeping a hand beneath it in case it falls off, and she takes it all in a single bite. There's a whole slew of flavours that hit her all at once, just like he said—bacon, sausage, spices, and perhaps some other meats in there that she either can't quite make out or has never tried before. And while her eyes do initially widen in surprise, her expression suddenly falls into one of disappointment.

Ah... she is a little jealous of his.]

... I like it.

[And she's going to reach over for his glass of root beer without even thinking about it to take a sip, forgetting that she has a cup of water right next to her.]

It's better than mine.

[She stops in her tracks.]

Well... no...

[He has a point, but still! He's done nothing but make this difficult for her since they met, and it's not like she's trying to become friends with him... she'd just like to thank him for helping her out!?]

I just—

[She shrinks back slightly and motions to the chairs not far from them if he'd like to sit down... but she's coming with him.]

I wanted to say thanks, and... sorry...

[He's just like this.

...However at least he's not pushing her away and will glance at the chairs before seeing that it's probably the best he's going to get and moving towards them.]

For what?

[And sitting, sipping on his water first.]

[He notices and a wry grin forms.]

You think so? I like yours plenty.

So how about this—

[And he'll just move their plates closer, both within reach of the other.]

You take whatever you want of mine, and I'll do the same to yours.

[She doesn't sit, but she does lean gently against the back of another chair, glancing at him only through the corner of her eyes.]

For last night...

[...?

That he would just offer it up so freely? It shouldn't surprise her, but it does.

Once again, it stirs more memories awake of their earliest days together. It was just another thing that he would do... especially when she hadn't had many of the foods that they served within the castle walls. She would often try bites from his plate, testing what she liked and didn't like, wary of just about everything before she grew more used to it.

Why now, of all the times for these memories to come rushing back, one after the other? Why did she have to think of him in those moments before priming? And why can't she shake it off and force things to go back to how they were?

This isn't normal. This shouldn't be happening, and yet...

...

She slides her plate across the table so that it's centered next to his as she takes another sip of his drink in silent agreement. That sounds like a fair trade.

As she pokes at her own pizza, taking another piece and forgetting that she still has Cid's fork and not her own, she looks around them.]

It might not be so bad, taking a look at the other places. What do you suppose 'tacos' are.

[ Just two talented boys, don't tell Astarion. Xenk keeps an eye on Alucard as he stands, careful to make sure the man is alright.

He seems fine, but just in case, Xenk lays a hand on his shoulder. Just in case of what, actually? No, it's more about the friendliness of the gesture. Xenk is a man of handshakes and hand-holding, he grips Alucard's shoulder then releases him, steady on his feet without any issue.

It's cheating to play drinking games when you're undead. But Xenk doesn't know that. ]

Indeed, let us be off!

[ He starts them off, leading the way out into the cold, cool night. ]

I may join you on the Fortune in the morrow. Now that my magic is restored, I should like to partake in the quests I've heard mention of.

I know. But it's always nice to hear.

[ Astarion kicks off his boots and steps out of his pants, naked now, while Xenk is still half dressed. He doesn't mind much either way. Whether they were clothed or not, they were still getting to explore each other's bodies.

And explore really seemed to be the term for want Xenk is doing. Xenk's touch is a little cold against his hard cock and he fights the urge to move away from it, staying still even as Xenk employs a somewhat scientific approach to this. ]

What do you want to do?

[She doesn't think she can do it, she knows that she can do it... but she doesn't reach for his shoulder immediately once he's seated on the crate. It's definitely been a while, and she looks him over first...]

I'm a little out of practice so you'll just have to—

[And that's all the warning he gets before she's suddenly reaching for his shoulder and snapping it right back into place, the sound of that CRACK resounding out across the deck of the ship, turning a few heads of those nearby.]

—trust me.

You're not so bad yourself, although that hood keeps things a little under wraps, doesn't it?

[ I mean, he's not going to miss the opportunity to flirt! But then it's back onto business. ]

Fine, fine, let's take another look. I'd rather stick to the shadows, all things being equal.

Huh...

[Her confusion rides out of her on a sharp exhale because again, shouldn't he know this? It's hard not to remember all the things that they'd just been through the night before she crash-landed here. This just reminds her of his state when she'd found him at the train station, and all these things that don't line up with what she remembers...

But she'll stamp it out for now to answer his question.]

We... fought Sephiroth. And some sort of arbiter of fate? All this talk about "changing destiny" and stuff. I still don't really know what that means, but... we saw some things, too. When we were in there.

... You don't remember?

Then that makes two of us. I've never been here before either. But it sounds like you're familiar with other worlds.

[Getting to his paws, Nanaki shakes out his fur again.]

You should dry off more, before you catch a cold. And while you do, I'd like to hear more about these other worlds of yours.

Me?

[Nanaki pauses for a moment, looking at Zack with his good eye. Then, after a brief pause, he goes on.]

My name is Nanaki. I hail from a place known as Cosmo Canyon.

[ He looks over as the hand lands on his shoulder, following it up to Xenk's face. His smile comes with a deep, humming noise of amusement and his own closest hand comes up to give a reassuring rub and pat to the man's shoulder blade. He'll then trail behind as the other takes the initiative to lead.

Coming out into the chill air from the warm tavern earns a little inhale and both Alucard's hands tuck themselves into his jacket. He'll walk alongside Xenk as the pathway now allows for them to do so. ]

What does it feel like to you? Your magic. Is it with you always or only when you wish to cast a spell?

[They can stare all they want. Between the two of them, they could kick the ass of every person in this tavern, and Tifa knows it. So right up to the bar they stroll, and she leans over the counter to get the tavernkeeper's attention, who rushes over, stopping only when he sees Red.]

What did you have in—

[And Tifa pauses too, to glare at the burly man when he eyes him suspiciously.

"Wait. Who let you in?"]

—mind...

Ah, what a horrible fate you've consigned me to! How difficult you make this! [Lyney heaves a dramatic sigh, shaking his head and even resting the back of his hand on his brow.] But I suppose if that is the price I must pay, then I must accompany you. I hope you don't mind that I do not float like Paimon does.

[But he puts his dramatics aside and nods to Aether, looking over at the tattoo artist octopus.]

Oh, it looks like there's a space open now. You'd best go ahead before someone else takes it.

[Lyney does actually freeze up a bit when that claw taps him. He knows there's no danger of injury, but the threat is there. And in that moment, he knows he's overstepped. In his desire to know what he can, and eagerness when presented with someone who seemed to know much more than the average clueless stowaway, he let his recklessness get ahead of him. And as much as he wants to play dumb and laugh off the incident as innocence, he has a feeling this masked man will see right through him.]

[In a way, he reminds Lyney too much of his "Father", and how her cold eyes could see through all of his tricks. So, after his momentary freeze, Lyney lets out a sigh, allowing a small frown to form on his face as he looks up at the man with a much more serious look than he had before.]

Is it really so wrong to want to know everything you can, if it can help you find that which you're missing?

[His voice is more serious as well, now that he knows his ruse was found.]

Perhaps there are those who are willing to take things they're told at face value, but I want to find the answers for myself. And I'm sure that someone like you would like to know how things are run here just as much as I do.

[Because Lyney's been sizing the other man up as well, in his own way.]

Edited 2023-09-02 01:11 (UTC)

I see..! Well, I'm sure it's no different than living in Fontaine; the days are rather peaceful, but you never know just what might happen in the Nation of Justice.

[He brushes his clothes to smooth them out, before looking around.]

Well! As fun as this has been, it appears our task here is complete. What say we head back, so that we can report our efforts?

I am not sure.

[ He tries his best to adjust his hold, perhaps somewhat mimic how Astarion had held him. It's... an attempt. His free hand comes around to rest on Astarion's hip, perhaps to keep him close. Perhaps just to keep feeling his warm skin. ]

I want you to feel comfortable. I want you to feel good, as I do. [ There's still a breathiness to his voice, but somehow this makes him blush a little harder, even after everything they've done so far. ] I understand my blood is not palatable, but should you wish to still use your fangs to mark me, I would... I think I would like that.

[ He heals quickly anyway, it's a blessing and a curse. ]

[Oh, now see, Nanaki doesn't like that; he's just coming down from his bad mood, and now this tavernkeeper's gone and rekindled it. He frowns at the man, ears angled flat.]

The man at the front let me in. Before you ask, I am no pet. And I'm not about to leave without having a meal first.

[He says all this with a careful flexing of his claws. Perhaps if he lets his anger show, the man will ask fewer questions.]

[ Xenk smiles once more, barely reacting to the cold at all. He always wears a jacket, of course, but the chill doesn't bother him the way it might anyone else. He's quick to lean into Alucard's space, if the man needs a buffer from the night's chill. ]

My Oath is always with me. I can feel its presence as a warmth beneath my skin, a lightness to my actions as it guides me.

[ He looks down at the tattoo on his hand, marveling at its simple design, yet undeniable use. ]

Perhaps it is because of what I am, but I had forgotten how it felt, to be without it. Having my Oath returned to me now, I can say I will not take it for granted again.

[While Izuku may find Pino's actions cute, Rody definitely doesn't. Quick as a whip, he shoots his hand forward to grab the little bird, who lets out a surprised trill at the sudden action.]

Geez, Pino! Cut it out!!

[Despite the protesting trills from Pino, the Quirk is shoved unceremoniously into his pocket. He blinks at Izuku, before laughing sheepishly.]

Aha... A-Anyway, um... yeah! I'm doing alright. I mean, as alright as I can after showing up in a weird place like this, anyway.

[He clears his throat, before his expression grows a bit more serious.]

But hey, never mind me, how are you doing? I haven't seen you since you left Otheon, but I remember seeing on TV...

[Well, that things had been going to shit in Japan??]

[ Changing destiny... No, Cloud doesn't remember anything like that. In fact, they hadn't even encountered Sephiroth at that point. At least not to Cloud's recollection of events. ]

Sephiroth has only one goal. To more or less kill off the planet and everyone on it. So however he's trying to go about it this time, that's what he's after.

[ And he'll manipulate people into doing the work for him, if he can. That's about all he can do, really. Yet even that has turned out to be a consistent problem.

If he had shown up before they left for Kalm, it makes Cloud wonder. Changing destiny... But how? ]

My memories before you found me in Midgar were a mess. Whatever the differences between your memories and mine, I know that man. He doesn't do anything without a purpose or a reason.

[ There's a momentary hesitation at his words. He's trying not to overthink it, trying to keep it hidden. But the idea of marking him, the idea of using his fangs for anything else than utility...it's both strange and not. It's not strange that vampires would do that. It is strange that he, specifically, might do that.

Strange that he could do that to Xenk, this holy knight.

And sure, he's got all this bravado about corruption and how evil he is--this whole narrative he's made up, about himself. But that narrative doesn't stand up to reality.

But he also doesn't want to turn him down.

Astarion swallows thickly. ]

If that's what you'd like.

[ He doesn't want to dwell on it. Instead, he removes Xenk's hand from his hip so he can lead him back to bed. Sliding out of his touch, at least for now. ]

Come on.

[ At first Alucard politely side-steps, not understanding the intention, though he's bound to if Xenk tries again. ]

That does sound rather pleasant.

[ And he can at least admit to himself that he's envious. Because that's just what he'd been thinking when he'd asked the question; up until now, he's never been without his own magic, his own unique senses for it.

Looking down at that tattoo, Alucard aches for the ability to answer his own question, of whether or not it's strictly that mark which imbues them all with a simulation of power. Because it matters to him; there's no doubt it matters to the paladin as well. ]

The gold was a nice touch.

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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