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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.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[With Valo.

But he just lets out a small annoyed sigh—not at her, but just at the memory.]

Hell if I know... He bumped into me and almost tripped over Valo, then started yelling and screaming at us like you saw. He ran off, Valo chased after him thinking something was wrong. Tried to chase him down and that's how you found us.

[A small click of his tongue.]

I should have grabbed Valo and left him earlier, but wasn't sure if something was actually wrong with him...

[ Alucard is certainly surprised, shown for a moment in a bemused set of blinks. Normally his role is Xenk's end of this current equation. So it's with some curiosity he obliges the request, slipping his arm around the paladin's waist and winding it up so his hand settles on the opposite shoulder. This way he can tuck right up under Xenk's arm and lean somewhat up against his side as they walk along, a companionable sort of gesture. Alucard is not a small man, so they're probably close enough in height it works out without anyone having to stretch or bend. ]

Kind of you.

[ With his free hand, he reaches for that clenching fist, stopping just short of actually touching. ]

May I?

You mean going to the next place?

[A thoughtful chew before he picks another piece.]

Strange as it is, curious to see what the rest of this world is like.

I see. No good ever comes from working with demons or devils, I can assure you. This is true in Faerûn as well.

[ Demons and blood magic are definitely the kinds of things Xenk would find objection to. In this they share a common goal. ]

A large horned race with eerie eyes... We have a similar race with these features. They are called dragonborn. They are said to have descended from dragons, or were perhaps created in Tiamat's image... I must admit, I am unsure. They are covered in scales, and are not like to travel far from their homes, and thus are often misunderstood. They often stand at near seven feet, and are capable of breathing fire or whatever element aligns with their lineage.

[ Yes, tieflings technically fall under the "large horns, eerie eyes" combination as well, but Xenk is funnier when he gets things wrong, so dragonborn it is! ]

It looked like there might have been...

[Though, not what she initially thought. And she's been thinking about it a lot since last night... the thing that man said about Eustace and Valo. While she can't say she knows him all that well, she thinks it's safe to say that none of it was actually true.]

It was wrong of me to assume anything, though. Just... [A small, nervous laugh under a breath.] Guess it's kinda hard not to when you come across a sight like that.

Well. They started us out on the back of a turtle...

[Another bite of his pizza this time, and she waves her fork around as if to gesture to "the rest of this world".]

Can't imagine how much bigger they can get. They will have to go even larger if they want to impress me.

[Whoever "they" are. The people keeping her here? The gods? The puppetmaster of this dream? She has no fucking clue what to think anymore.]

Edited 2023-09-02 04:13 (UTC)

Tifa's bar... Where?

[ The where is actually kind of important! Tifa's already mentioned, you know, some slight differences. Okay maybe not so slight. ]

[ Xenk is nothing if not a perfect gentleman, and a dashing one besides. He allows Alucard to choose the grip, laying his arm over the other man's shoulder to keep him closer, and close the gap between them. It should help keep the wind at bay, if nothing else. ]

The cold does not affect me.

[ He smiles in response. He's still a little warmer thanks to the drink, too, so it works out well. ]

Please, feel free.

[ He holds out his free hand for him, unclenching his fist and holding it out for Alucard to take. The tattoo isn't red or swollen or anything -- it would have healed easily on him, whether it was magical or not. ]

It's unfortunate that this had to be the thing we had in common.

[ But there's a hope to his voice that he has not felt in many, many, many decades now. Hope that he might really be seen by someone else. ]

As a vampire spawn, I will live forever. Assuming, of course, a hunter doesn't put a stake through my heart. But elves can easily live to be 700 or more. You said "still"--did that change in your world?

[ The sails over the edge of the armada ship had earned Alucard's curiosity, but the smell of spices had caught his attention. And of course, when he begins to climb his way down into the food ship, he spots Xenk; in addition to having attracted a crowd, the man is fairly hard to miss.

An expert at navigating a crowd and sticking his nose into others' business, Alucard ends up leaning over one of Xenk's shoulders and settling a hand on the other. Okay, so he'd hoped to surprise his friend, too. ]

What have we won?

[ "We"? Yes, the Paladins, obviously. ]

Sometimes. But don't you worry your pretty little head about me. I'll get my satisfaction.

[ Astarion pulls Xenk in for another kiss, as if thanking him for the consideration. With his hold on him, he continues to walk him backwards and then at the last minute turns them so he can push Xenk down into bed. ]

Just make yourself comfortable.

I'm aware. Your accusations didn't help matters, but I could understand from an objective point of view.

It's because you've such a warm heart.

[ Alucard doesn't miss a step, slipping his palm beneath Xenk's and drawing it towards him in a way you might a lady's hand to kiss. It even looks like he might for a moment, but he stops raising it about chest level and eases their path ( or at least tries ) a little closer to the light along the path by simply leaning into Xenk. Unlike the other man, he can't see in the dark.

He gives it a minute twitch to either side, trying to see if the ink sparkles with metallic in the light. His thumb is a warm, gentle sweep over the marked skin's surface, feeling for not just any raised textures. Alucard purses his lips a bit, because while the mark is undeniably magical, he doesn't feel it. None of it. ]

It looks healed. Does it hurt?

Edited 2023-09-02 05:28 (UTC)

Well you see that's the thing.

[And now his curious mind is at it again.]

This giant turtle itself... They call it a "leviathan"—quite different from the Eikon in our world, certainly.

But it sounds like the other major ports are on similar creatures. I also heard that most of the world is covered in ocean water.

Very well.

[ Xenk takes to the kiss hungrily, closing his eyes as he's guided back towards the bed, then opening them once his legs bump against the side of the bed. If Astarion says he'll get his satisfaction, then Xenk believes him. He has no reason not to.

So Xenk falls backwards onto the bed, somehow graceful for all that he's naked and doing all of this for the first time. (I legitimately rolled Dexterity and he got a 19.) His back hits the mattress and he pulls himself up and leans back on his arms, his legs spread wide on the edge of the bed. He only has eyes for Astarion at the moment -- and he's done as he's told. He's quite comfortable like this, watching him. ]

Is this adequate?

[...when eizen wanted a drink, he didn't mean like this. reaper's curse never fails. granted, that grab behind cover was appreciated, but the beer shower was decidedly less so.

he wipes off some beer off his cheek.]

Not unless they all suddenly realize the error of their ways and leave. [and now with a little less snark.] Or, if we're going with something more plausible, we make them leave.

[or knock them out. either or works in this scenario.]

You can lie down.

[ Astarion won't be far behind, once Xenk is situated. He crawls between his legs and settles there, wondering if he should've worried about Xenk's refractory period before he'd made him come once already. Well, too late to worry about that now.

He rubs his hand along Xenk's inner-thigh, hoping the touch will help warm him up a bit again. Maybe teasing a little, too.

Unfortunately, if he wants the oil he's going to have to reach for the side table past Xenk so after he touches him a bit, he moves for that--leaning over him and stretching to open the drawer and grab the vial. He's got a wonderful bonus to athletics, but it might also put his back on full display for Xenk as he does. If Xenk is paying attention. ]

[Kotori... her savior...

You can bet that pitcher of cream is damn near gone by the time Shallan looks like she's breathing again, though her mouth does still feel as if it's on fire... just not made of lava anymore.]

That is... much too hot... h-how are you even eating all of that?!

[HOPEFULLY.... you will forgive her for not eating more to try to help.]

I said I was sorry...

[She isn't going to linger on that for too long, though. She doesn't want to get into another argument about it—]

Anyway. That was all I wanted to say. So... I'll leave you to it.

[Despite the disappointment in her voice.]

But my offer still stands.

[ Xenk brightens as he notices Alucard, a smile rising to his face as he turns to speak to him. It's always good to see a friend, and a fellow Paladin besides. ]

I believe it is a shipment of dried squid.

[ Xenk points to a crate labeled 'Hornswaggle's Spicy Squid.' This is perhaps not a great boon? But it was a quest, you see. And that's why Xenk's bowl is empty and he's looking quite pleased with himself. ]

The rice balanced the pepper quite well.

[ It's not cheating if you're immortal and love spicy food, right. ]

Would you like to try some, Alucard? I am sure they could serve you a bowl.

[perfect indeed. between the stunned ones and the weakened ones, it makes cleaning up a breeze.

speaking of breeze, that's what he starts the clean-up with. eizen casts an air thrust to clear out the few in the sky. up next come the unlucky few remaining on the ground. those get a more personal touch with him rushing over to deliver some finishing punches.]

[She tries so hard to stifle that interested glimmer in her eyes as he explains, her chewing on her next bite having slowed as she tries to imagine being on the back of something else. The Eikons were certainly quite a sight in their own right, but the turtle and this world has given her a whole new perspective on "massive".

Honestly, she is a little intrigued by these so called "leviathans"... and if it holds a candle to the rumours of the one they know of.]

Well, it's a good thing you already know how to sail... Shouldn't be a problem for you.

... Not that anything ever is.

And it was accepted.

[He was just pointing it out!!! That he understood!!]

Which offer?

[So he uses wind magic...handy.

Eustace will keep an eye out for any in the distance that Eizen can't reach, but it seems he already got them in his initial sweep. And once everything is silent and...the ground filled with the stench of burnt and bloody sharkgull carcasses—]

Looks like we're finished here.

So you stood up for yourself and faced consequences for it.

[the kid stood his ground. respectable, enough so that eizen gives a small approving nod. standing up for oneself doesn't always have positive outcomes, alas, but eizen can help turn that around a little by helping him find his way if possible.]

Where were you heading before getting lost?

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« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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spicy squid to round off this tl!

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it's finally time....!!

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