escordvi | « test sail »

Entry tags:

« test sail »

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

I'll tell you what he looks like. On one condition.

[ Uh oh. There's a condition. ]

[ Ugh! She slumps at his side, arms dangling free in front of her. ]

Fine! What's the condition?

If you ever see him, do not tell him you know me.

[ Especially if Nimona ends up getting closer to him... ]

Hm...? Sharing?

[Another turn in the conversation- actually! Joshua seems a bit puzzled as he asks for clarification.]

You wish to share... our plates? Please pardon my lack of awareness regarding certain table manners or customs that may be associated with a new place like this?

[Come again?]

[Yeah, there's a lot of questions here.]

I see. And a tattoo...? A mark that allows us the use of our eikon and magic?

[Something about that sits weirdly in Joshua's gut. He can't help comparing it to the idea of magic users being branded.]

I suppose we won't know all of the answers until we reach land. I'll try to keep an open mind.

[Really, he was going to help after the slugs ran their gambit and the slime was left for the picking. But there were so many frightened, and Zack's scream was just so priceless--he couldn't help himself, he nearly fell over laughing at the entire sight.]

Y-you... [He was wheezing too hard to continue whatever it was he was going to say. He collapsed into another fit of giggles as he took in the full sight of Zack now covered in slug slime. His knee was going to bruise at this rate from his own slapping as he bent over from laughter.]

You... you scream like a little girl, yo.

[He finally managed to get out between deep breathes and fits of smaller giggles. He began to casually walk towards Zack, wondering whether it'd be worth it really to help the ex-SOLDIER or simply start scooping up slime. He'd probably get less on him if he just ignored Zack's plight.]

Joshua nods politely. It's been interesting speaking with her but he does agree that they should finish this up. The seagulls seem to be gone now and are no longer a threat to the people trying to use the beach.

"I will be alright, thank you for your concern, my lady."

He puts his weapon away and looks towards the guard.

"Let us file our report and be done with the beach today."

"In a seemingly infinite number of worlds, I could imagine such quite easily."

She's honestly more surprised that other worlds have anything like Nethecite, really. Even if it's just crystals.

"Though the human element appears common enough at the least."

[It's a feeling they'll all likely share for a while until they learn how magic is used in this world. And even then it'll take some adjusting to.]

I know what you're thinking, and I feel the same. But I will say this much. Seems everyone has one, especially those who travel out. Magic here seems to be more accessible to anyone who wishes to use it. Not only that, they don't rely on it to live and function like we had to in Valisthea. They have their own technology instead.

[Like how he had wanted the world to change. Not using magic, but through engineering, technology, and talent.]

Edited 2023-10-18 02:14 (UTC)

Indeed, do not think for a moment that I will not.

[ Though as they are both on this ship... Chances are that they will have plenty of opportunities to cross paths. ]

After all, now I find myself quite curious about your sister. Though those questions will wait for a later time.

[She certainly won't be the first, nor the last, but she's somewhere in between.]

An unlucky curse?

[Tifa can't help but flash him a rueful smile. How many times has he heard this sort of thing from other people?]

I doubt that fight had anything to do with you. If you keep looking for things to happen because of bad luck or whatever, don't you think you're just more likely to find it?

That is kind of funny. Yeah. But I guess that's true. Paper, that would get ruined if that was wet too, ink would run.

[But he does brighten when she asks about Mikleo. Never one not to talk all about his friends. Let alone Mikleo in particular as his childhood friend he's been with since he can remember.]

He's my best friend! He's a water seraph, so he can control and create water. Sometimes he will send some to wet me if I annoy him.

[It's easy enough to dry off. Sorey is used to it.]

[so he helps her while she helps him. the thoughts of what she could need that she couldn't come to him for cross his mind, but eizen shoves those to the side for the moment. one final thing matters more that he needs to know right now, one thing that'll determine whether or not sorey goes on his shitlist.]

While you figure out Shepherd things.

[there's a definite bite to his tone at the word shepherd.]

Tell me, Shepherd, what are Malaks-- rather, Seraphs, to you?

[the context clues made it easy enough to determine that the language had changed over the centuries. it happens.

but verbiage aside, the question matters most of all. what sort of a person is this shepherd and will eizen have to find a way to protect edna from him?]

What are -- ah? So seraph were called malaks in your time?

[For all that Sorey knows a lot about history from ruins and the like, there are still some things that he has missed, between being so sheltered and isolated from everywhere else from living in Elysia most of his life, and being so young, being human. There's only so much that he can figure learning with all of that, even with being surrounded by seraphim back home.]

Well, they're my family. My friends. My best friend, Mikleo is a water seraph.I grew up raised by the seraph, ah, the malak, in the village of Elysia near Ladylake, so I've only recently even met other humans. Why? Are things different with the malak in your time?

[Zack looks down at his hand and then back up at Eizen.]

Yeah. [He nods with some conviction.] I can tell you're a good dude. And that can go miles.

[And that's important.]

Good luck, man! You've got this!

[And with that, Zack will give him a goodbye wave and head off. Next time, show him your sick tattoo, Ky!]

Yeah... I get that. That's true.

[He sighs his apology.]

So, is a gummi ship literally made out of gummies?

Okay, I can do that. I won't tell him that I know you, but I will tell you that he's here. You know, if I see him first somehow.

[ Cloud will end up number one on her phone, but she can always list him as something weird. ]

Edited 2023-10-19 04:42 (UTC)

They really should have come up with a better option. Especially if these things run off magic. They could have put it into another form.

[ Tell her all about your friends, because she doesn't have any. It'd be nice to have someone to light up over like that. Instead, she'll live vicariously through others. ]

Woah, that's cool! And he sounds like the kind of guy I'd like to hang out with. Just so long as he doesn't constantly spray me with water because I love to be annoying!

[ Nimona thrives off it! ]

Fantastic.

[ He grins, both because of her success and because of how she changes before his very eyes. Will he ever get sick of this sort of show? Not yet; nowhere near it. ]

Did you happen to see the people that are following us in hopes of mugging us or stealing our treasure at any viable moment?

[ It's three people, one a team and one on their own, that have been slinking after them since they left the tavern. So far they've been going along well lit areas. That might not be the case very much longer, depending on the path Nimona found to the next location. It feels like an appropriate time to alert her. ]

It was, and it was a bit strange to think about. Faris only knew as much about cosmology as Ghido had told them when they were gearing up to face Exdeath--the Void, then the four essences, then the elements and crystals born from them. The steps between the crystals and everything getting spun up into grass and dragons and mushrooms and human beings were still a closed book--albeit a book that was probably somewhere in the Library.

So humans from other crystalline worlds made perfect sense, but now he had to wonder how they popped up without those essences to mold them.

"I suppose it is," he said, sounding a little unwilling to pursue the subject. "How about sailing ships? You have those alongside the crystals?"

[ "My lady"???

Surprise initially crosses her features, more directed at the address than his words, but soon the expression shifts to that of a grateful smile. Rem bobs her head in thanks, filing the added information he gives away, lest she find herself in the same situation again. ] Ah... thank you.

[ Taverns exist in her own world, yes, and there's something both fascinating and ironic about how her first time stepping in one involves being spirited away to another world. Her hand raises to the side of her head as if a soft touch would stave off the pounding within. ] I'm, ah, still getting used to this place. [ She lifts her gaze, meeting his kindly. ] It's so different... Almost like a dream.

Why not? We are friends now, are we not? And is it not strange for friends to share things?

[He says it with a cheeky smile... one that soon breaks into a grin.]

Oh don't look so shocked, I'm just kidding of course! You should see the look on your face! I'll call for an extra plate so we can share properly.

Sephiroth... leaving Midgar?

[Nanaki gives Cloud a look.]

When was this?

[Rody chuckles, but honestly, he's not really pushing for the hero status. He's never fully caught the hero bug, more focused on his siblings... but he did feel good helping support Izuku and his friends against Humarise. Maybe he won't aim for the top, but support? He could probably manage that.]

Well, then consider me your ace in the hole for support! Besides, someone's gotta spread your good name around when everyone thinks you're a crook, right?

[Is that a small dig at Izuku's former criminal status? It just might be.]

Alright. Let's get this tattoo thing done, then!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 186 of 190

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

🎀

no subject

no subject

🎀

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

🎀

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject