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

[That line of thinking honestly hadn't crossed Lyney's mind, but it makes sense; after all, he feels the same thing not for the port town, but for the man standing beside him. He offers a light chuckle and looks over at the port town before them.]

You've got a point there. I suppose that's a magic all of it's own, isn't it? Something unbelievable and unexplained, yet wondrous all on it's own.

[Lyney knows that his magic is more misdirection and performance than anything, as is all the magic performed by magicians. But this... this is its own form of magic, isn't it? He lets out a soft sigh.]

If only my siblings were here to see it. They'd surely get a kick out of this... especially Freminet.

[What an earnest young man... Lyney finds that the smile that creeps onto his face is more genuine than just for show. The coins swiped and tucked away safely, Lyney puts his hat back on his head with a little twirl of the garment.]

You've got the right mindset there, my friend! Tell you what; I'll take you up on your offer, and even show you some exclusive tricks in exchange for your kindness! And I promise, I won't make all of your money disappear.

[He punctuates that last part with a playful wink.]

[Though much calmer thanks to the explanation given to him by the sailors and the other confused riftfarers aboard the ship, Lyney is still a bit on edge; not only because of his lack of personal effects, but also due to his missing siblings, who he hasn't seen hide nor hair of since waking up here. So Lyney's taken to wandering some of the lower cabins, trying to see if he could catch sight of either of his siblings hiding down here. Knowing their introverted natures, it was more likely to find them in a quiet corner than mingling with a crowd.]

[He enters this particular room, which is on the shadier side due to a lack of lighting, because he thought he saw some shadowy movement; something that makes him think of Lynette's own abilities with her Vision. Was she hiding down here? As he peeks into the darkened room, he whisper-yells into it.]

Lynette? Is that you? You don't have to hide, it's me, Lyney!

Oh, yes. Of course. What other food is there, around here, by the way?

[ He's very interested in looking for more of it, but at the same time, while looking at Astarion, he feels like he really wants to reach over and touch him, but he shakes his hand loose as if he'd just been shocked by static electricity, because he doesn't want to be rude. ]

Hey, don't mention it.

[ She combs some of her dark hair back, slightly short of breath, an amused smirk worn on her face. ]

I should be the one thanking you. That lightning was really cool. And the escape plan? Really smart. Not bad, Pup.

[ Although he probably has a name, she assumes. She extends her hand. ]

Name's Pepper. Gonna assume you've got one too, unless you're gonna be "Pup" the entire time I'm around.

No, but that's a good thing, isn't it?

[Without their earplugs in just yet that is. On the other hand, Reno didn't really feel like putting in the damn things until he had to. He glanced over at the other person and took in the sight. Gunslinger. With a decent if unfamiliar arsenal.

Reno didn't have a gun with him at the moment but he could appreciate a good firearm. But his favorite toy was the Electro-Mag Rod he kept collapsed behind his back until it was needed. So he might have looked a little unarmed at the moment.]

Don't exactly want to be caught by something like this. The variants back home can confuse a person and trick them into attacking their own allies if you're unlucky.

[ Aw ... poor kid. She can't help but show a little compassion for him. ]

Give me a brief description of them. I'll keep my eyes - and ears - peeled for you.

Would you?

[She isn't flattered, but she can certainly pretend to be, even if the dry sarcasm threatens to bleed into every single one of her words. Perhaps the disdain would have too, if they had met in Valisthea and not this strange new place where the politics no longer matter. Now, he is not an enemy of Waloed nor is he the crowned prince of Sanbreque.

Rather, he is just another Dominant like her, and she wonders if she could use it to her own advantage.]

And why is that? Did Bahamut land himself in trouble? Or has he not answered your calls either?

[ Ah yes, what normal regular people food did he "eat earlier" excellent question Aziraphale! ]

The tavern, Minstrel and Cask, had quite the selection. The potatoes weren't terrible undercooked, and chicken was surprisingly fresh, although...I did hear someone had a run in with them, on the ship.

[ Should've stolen a chicken on the ship when had the chance, really. But he and Reaper had been a little busy, what with the tying up random innocent npcs and stealing kitchen knives. ]

And I did hear about some kind of squid eating contest. I don't know how anyone can stomach it, after running into an octopus shop keeper. Perhaps this place just has a wicked sense of humor.

[The teenage girl in front of him relaxes a bit at the calm greeting. She had JUST been about to poke him with the handle of her mop to see if he was okay, but true to form, Percy started awake JUST as he was about to be poked.]

U-um... hi there. Yes, this is the Royal Fortune of the Paladin fleet.

[And cue the Who's on First with cross-world terminology.]

– i. arrival

[ There’s a lot to unpack here, and Aerith hasn’t had so much as a second to even start trying to wrap her head around what’s happened. One minute she’s on the road to Kalm getting tips on how to hitchhike from Tifa and the next, she’s plunging feet first into briny, tumultuous waters.

After a fair bit of extremely useless thrashing and flailing (it’s not like the Sector 5 slums has a YMCA to get lessons at), Aerith’s scooped out of the water and deposited on the deck of a ship where she now sits - in pants and a tunic that can only be described as too tremendous for a human being - wiping the salt water out of her eyes while she catches her breath.

Once her vision clears and her chest stops aching from all the sputtering and heaving that happened back in the water, she gets to her feet, frowning down at her strange attire before the sound of other people milling about draws her attention.

Holding up her pants she heads over to the first person she spots who looks like they might have a clue - or at least looks a little less harried than she does at the moment - and starts there. ]

Hi! Um, I don’t suppose you know where we are, do you?

– ii. exploring eltrut, a dead end

[ The prospect of being reunited with her things is an appealing enough prospect that Aerith manages to ignore the din of Eltrut, ignoring the curiosity that rises in her with every new sight and sound to instead follow the map she’s been given to her possessed down to the letter.

Or, she thought anyway.

Because this empty stone wall that waits at the end of the alley she thought she was supposed to follow to the next fork in the road suggests otherwise.

After spending a few minutes going between the featureless wall and the map in her hand, Aerith huffs, undaunted and not yet willing to rule out the possibility that she really has come to the right place. She strides up to the wall and starts poking at it, making her way across the end of the alleyway while she taps and prods at the stones. Everything’s been weird so far, she’s not going to rule out some kind of secret passage and waste more time wandering this city looking as frazzled and ridiculous as she’s sure she must by now. ]

– iii. quests, sharkgulls

Look out behind you!

[ Is she a lethal warrior? No, but Aerith’s gotten into enough scrapes at this point that she recognizes both danger and an advantage when she sees one. As one of those dangerous, toothy birds she’s been warned about swoops down, its jaws opening to take a chunk out of some unsuspecting soul, she calls out before darting into motion.

While the staff she carries is usually being used to help her cast her magic while her more battle-ready friends leap into the fray, it works great when she grips it like a baseball bat and takes a swing, connecting with the diving sharkgull and sending it flying.

Shocked by and just a little proud of herself she’s still brandishing her staff like a club when she turns around to meet the eye of the sharkgull’s prospective victim. ]

Are you alright? We should get out of here before it comes back!

[ Too full of bravado to ever admit it but, she’s not that sure she can pull something like that off again, not that she wouldn’t try if she had to. ]

– iv. wildcard

[ something else? feel free to pm me if you'd like to plot out something beyond the prompts above. ]

[Without another moment to lose, she wasted no time in making a show of her own. With flames surrounding her, she makes a leap to hit some of the 'birds' before landing gracefully on her feet. Flashing a quick smile, she places both of her hands on her hips.]

What do you think? Surely, that would be enough to amaze you!

A phoenix? That would be neat....the fire bird, right? Fire and healing, rebirth? Or...something like that. I'm still deciding on a couple of ideas. Something that reminds me of my friend, or something that I guess is more....like my job? At least. Back home. I read all about the Shepherds. About the history, ruins I could find that had murals or anything about them....ah, that is. The Shepherds are people who would help people, help them and the seraphim, elemental spirits I guess you could call them.

[He tries for a quick sort of explanation at least. He's not had a tattoo before but the idea is sort of neat? Like art, like murals or paintings or the like but on one's body somewhere. Which could be as visible as one chose, depending on where the tattoo was.]

[Another hairline crack forms in Benedikta's expression, already laced with an unpleasant resentment, though... it never was to Jill. Well, it wasn't until green eyes whip back around to her, that edge masked only slightly by the dry sarcasm in her laugh.]

The ice queen has claws too, does she? Interesting.

[Well, that certainly adds to her amusement over the situation as a whole. Not quite the prim, proper princess she was, is she?

She puffs at her pipe again, pausing to let that smoke billow into the air rather than in Jill's direction this time, if only so that she can get a clearer look at that pretty little smile of hers.]

Not quite as forgotten as you'd like me to be though, hm? Else you might have less wrinkle in your brow.

Edited 2023-08-20 22:55 (UTC)

[She narrows her eyes at the question because is he fucking serious?]

Why? You wish to keep me here still?

[Whether that is or isn't a rhetorical question doesn't matter, because she dismisses it with a click of her tongue, and weakly looks down at herself. Looks at her bloodied knuckles, and at the sorry state her arms and legs are in, battered and bruised still.]

Do I look like I am in any condition to run?

[Maybe if she could fly, but...]

No? It's just. The needles. I guess I'm not so used to it.

[Sorey has not had the experience of injections. Or tattoos. Yet. Still he is curious and it is a neat idea to have some sort of art on one's body. He isn't against the idea at least. Just. Curious and wary? But at the same time, if this really might help with getting his abilities back. Then it doesn't seem so bad.]

I mean. I've not had one before.

Oh, good.

[ Rikku takes a moment to stretch...boy, it sure was cramped in there. ]

Yeah. One of the weirdest places I've landed in a long time, but...could be worse?

[ She looks at the mop and the door on the ground. ]

Here, I'll help you clean up.

[ She just...awkwardly lifts the door and props it up against the side of the hallway. She doesn't have the parts to repair the hinges right now.

[ She's okay now. It's a little more awkward to move in this form, but that's okay. She'll stand her ground and aim. ]

...Not sure I want to find out, but. Little light fry, coming up!

[ She manages to target a few more in rapid succession. Zap, zap, zap. ]

You okay?

I'm Rikku! Pleased to meetcha!

[ One very enthusiastic handshake. ]

Don't worry, I can probably show you the ropes! My world was at war for a really long time, and after it ended, a bunch of us decided to dig up treasures from history that were forgotten. I'm an expert sphere hunter and scavenger---we search for records and machina from the ancient past!

[Julie has the audacity to seem right at home in Faris' arms. Despite being in rags Julie sure is a colorful little rainbow monster and her smile is just as bright as before despite the near leap to her death.]

Of course, silly. I told you I had good aim!

[Now she heedlessly wraps her arms around Faris' shoulder to deliver a big hug!]

Thank you for the help! I'd have hated to have to climb all the way down. Golly, that would've taken forever.

Drunks are a waste of my time, hunting prickleboars is more of a challenge than they are.

[ Now, if Faris is more interested in fighting her, that would be worth it. He seems far more skilled than this drunk.

The guy comes stumbling towards her with a swing, and she simply catches it with her left bandaged hand like it was nothing. Then pushes him towards her so-called "savior". ]

You can have all the fun you want with him.

[ Rikku isn't sure what to think of the slugs. She tilts her head as she looks at it. ]

If they're not slugs, then what are they?

And I don't know about killing them. Don't think all that slime's good for my daggers.

[ They don't...look like they're hurting anyone? ]

It would probably be safer to get your food to go, or find a quieter place to eat at.

[ This is why she doesn't hang around crowded taverns. Eizen and Rokurou drinking is enough. But if he wants to stay, that's his choice. ]

I was just pissed off, not trying to be helpful. Velvet Crowe.

Exactly!

[Fortunately for the other girl Julie knows just how to duck, dodge and weave all while balancing objects precariously! Heck, she seems pretty darn cheerful while she does it, giggling away.]

Wow, what a game! It's really inspiring to me, you know? I like a lot of action and activity in my games.

[Oop, chair going flying there! Julie is fortunately short enough that she doesn't much need to duck, though it does barely brush the bouffant of her hair. She pauses a moment so she can wave the food at whoever through it in lieu of shaking a fist, a frown on her lips.]

HEY BUDDY, WATCH WHAT YOU'RE THROWING AROUND!

[Now back to the big beaming smile Kotori's way.]

Do you like hula hoops?

I can't imagine just any old magic attracting demons or spirits. Apart from necromancy, of course. But that's quite the point of it.

[ Yes, see, necromancy is totally fine! it is, in fact, a great kind of magic!

But his head tilts thoughtfully at Dorian's statement that he'd like to see him use magic. Was he flirting back, now, this uptight mage? Or was this just truthful? Astarion thinks its the latter, but... ]

Well, you'll have to wait. I wasn't about to let some cephalopod put its ink in my skin for the privilege of casting a flame.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 26 of 190

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

quest

no subject

no subject

no subject

Orientation

aerith gainsborough | final fantasy vii | undecided

no subject

Laguna is sending me back to bitty times. I got halfway through VIII and lost my memory card lol.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Sea Slugs

no subject

no subject

no subject