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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

I. Arrival - On Deck (CW: Mentions of slavery)

[He'd been passing through a town after leaving Kirkwall, alone now after so long in the company of the others. But everything was on the verge of war and they couldn't linger as a group any longer, nor in Kirkwall. They had to leave, go their separate ways, and so they did.

So, as he walked down the street, hood up, he sees a stall with a number of wares and one in particular reminds him of Isabela. A boat in a bottle. Normally he would keep walking, but this day he feels compelled to look at it closer, to pick it up and--

He wakes on the deck of the very same ship, the sea breeze in his white hair, dressed in clothes he didn't start in, feeling disoriented. His mind tries to piece together what happened, how he got here. A trap? He remembers something impossible like being taken by water spilling from the bottle-- magic? A new form of witchcraft?

Getting to his feet, he kicks off the shoes he's wearing, looking around him for someone, anyone who could answer his question. It's not even about asking them so much as trying to determine if they are a Tevinter Slaver that's grabbed him or not. His former master is dead, but that did not stop others for coveting what Danarius once had, especially with the lyrium in his skin. To divest him of his armour and weapon, he feels there is little else this could be.

He approaches the first person he sees.]

Tell me, where is this? Is this boat Tevinter? [It didn't look like it, but they could be outsourcing.]

II. Map Song

[He's got a map, one that will lead him to his belongings - supposedly this is a ship of other means, and while he doesn't know how he got here, he finds his markings not working and his weapon and armour missing.

While still able to hold his own, it leaves him feeling vulnerable in an unfamiliar place.

The problem is... he doesn't know how to read maps. So he turns it unhelpfully. It looks like the ship? A store room perhaps? What was this game of taking his belongings only to make him hunt them down? ]

Pointless games.. Is this below deck or..? [He tilts his head unhelpfully.]

III. Tattoo Parlor

His markings don't work.

He's tried to flare them again and again and nothing. If he wasn't so used to utilizing them, he might think it a blessing, but as it is now, it makes him feel strangely vulnerable. A strange place, strange people, with nothing but his great sword at his back...

Standing outside the parlor, he debates with himself. They said it would restore him, mentioned that it would give him magic too though.. he wants the former but not the latter. Nor does he trust anything to be chiseled into his skin once more.

He's had enough of that for a lifetime.

Standing there, he contemplates the merits of going in or not.

IV. Wild Card!

Prose and Bracket are both fine! Also feel free to hit me up with any of the quests or tavern! I am up for anything, but if you want chat about it first PM or reaching out to me on plurk @ ZodiacRockstar is perfectly fine!

Honest, yes. But labor intensive not so much.

[ this is definitely the truth! ]

[ No one knows the true story of how Nimona got her abilities except for Nimona. ~~Not even the viewers.~~ She can make anything sound like the truth - so long as she doesn't tack on some very obvious sarcastic comment at the end. It's just not something she likes sharing. ]

Oh, definitely only a little fall. This guy I know, not nearly as tough as me, survived falling from an exploding building and was only knocked out for a little while.

So if you just fell, you're probably okay.

[ At his statement, Nimona looks at the man, then at the sharkgulls, then back at the man. She does the same after with gestures - as if to say, 'how can this man not know what a shark is, he's standing right next to half of one?!'

Then she clears her throat, as if about to start a lecture on sharks. ]

Sharks are one of the deadly predators of the sea.

[ Then Nimona isn't girl-shaped anymore, she's shark-shaped, opening her mouth wide. ]

Exhibit A. Many rows of teeth for chomping. [ She chomps several times as a demonstration. ]

[The man's definitely intimidating, and it takes a lot of willpower to not flinch back at those metal claws tapping and heavy boots approaching. But despite it all, the answer doesn't change. This man has heard nothing, not even from the other sailors. And he knows that Lynette's odd appearance would draw some gossip, at least. That means that either the other sailors haven't seen his siblings yet, or...]

[Or... they're not here. And Lyney is here alone. His shoulders sag and his head hangs a bit as he feels a dread creep into his heart.]

Nothing...

[The hairs on the back of his neck stand on edge as the strange smokey man approaches, but he can't quite bring himself to care. Not with the worry churning within his chest. He takes a step back, the back of his foot hitting a nearby box, and he moves to sit down upon it.]

But where could they be..? Another ship? Or... could they be back in Fontaine..?

[He's more muttering to himself now as he ponders.]

[Nanaki gives a light huff in response.]

You are not wrong. Humans can be quite foolish at times. Sometimes, they can barely see what's in front of them.

[Not all humans are bad, Nanaki knows this. But some... well, some were worth his disappointment.]

[His tail flicks as he ponders his answer. He is grateful to the other man, yes, but how to explain himself? Explain the nature of his species, where he comes from? It seems like a lot to drop on someone he just met, even if he is grateful. So, after a small pause, he hums once more before speaking.]

I am that which you see before you. Nothing more. I would appreciate it if we left it at that, for now.

[He may have human levels of intelligence, but he still had the behaviours of a cat.]

[While he's brooding, there's a bookish-looking young lady with glasses also standing outside the tattoo parlor, also debating. A few of her other Royal Fortune crewmates had gone in, and despite reassurances that it's not supposed to hurt, she has NO idea what magic tattoos entail. (More specifically, what sharp pointy equipment they entail.) So... no thank you, at least at the moment.

After that internal debate, she least helps herself to a sticky rice dumpling she got from one of the nearby vendors. It's been a while since she last had chimaki, and the rice is so savory and the shrimp filling is to rich and flavorful, she can't help but give a soft, closed-mouth chirp at it.]

Edited (Apparently Japan also has zhongzi, just known as chimaki.) 2023-08-21 20:36 (UTC)

[ just as planned!

Astarion listens in kind. It is interesting, if sparse on specifics. Not that he could complain after his cagey story. ]

That's a long way from home. What made you decide to leave?

[ Other than it being dank and dark and dreary. He's good with never visiting the Underdark again. He'll take sleeping in a coffin to avoid sun instead. ]

You'll have to let me know how long you manage to dodge it on your ship. One thing I'll say for the Paladins: they probably have a prescribed number of lashes for insubordination.

[Julie seems wholly undisturbed by the squawking.]

You know, I don't have a clue. One moment I was settling into bed for the night and then POOF!

[She gestures with her hands, fingers splayed.]

I was waaaay up there!

[That said now that she's on the deck and she's getting more of a first hand look rather than on high -- goodness!]

Oooh, this is a ship!

Ardyn glances at the man, taking him in. It's clear his method of arrival was similar to his own. Good to know that it's not a unique phenomenon. They're both stuck, dressed in rags, but Ardyn, at least, is free for the first time in thousands of years. So he decides to do a bit of trolling.

"What would you do if I told you it was?" He doesn't know what Tevinter is, but it obviously means something important to this man. He wants to find out why Fenris is so desperate.

Awww, that's no good. They're so much fun to play with! You can make up all sorts of games with them like --

[Hm. She mulls on it a moment as the pair make their way outside finally.]

Guess the Sandwich or Is That Spaghetti?

[She says the names with a cheerful lilt like of course those are the names of games. Ones she's just now invented.]

[ "Someone" just so happens to be a pink shark - how it walks on land, how it breathes, how it's standing upright and looks intelligent - could all be a mystery. Until a feminine voice comes out of the shark's mouth. ]

So do I.

[ Chomp chomp ]

My mouth is bigger than theirs, and so are my teeth.

Back where I'm from, they more or less just try to drown people, but I wouldn't put charming past them.

[He's only read about sirens; the writing may be incomplete.

He hasn't noticed any significant weapons on Reno, which is worrying to say the least. However, it's possible Reno has magic. Percy only has lightning and the minor wisps of shadow left behind by his former possession, and he's not truly the master of either.]

You deal with them often?

Edited (Icons) 2023-08-21 20:39 (UTC)

I admit I find it all interesting.

[A lopsided grin as he catches that look and knows very well she'll be using him to figure things out. Well he has to, too, so no real complaints.]

And this is just all on their ship. You have to wonder what our turtle friend has on its back.

Paladin fleet? I've never heard of such a force...

[Of course he's met paladins, but a fleet of the name is new. He's not sure what to make of it.]

I don't need to pay for this, do I? [Even when he has his things, Vex carries his money.]

Edited 2023-08-21 20:41 (UTC)

[The smell of the girl's food seems appetizing at first until she bites into it and he gets the distinct smell of fish and immediately curls his lip in distaste. He very much hates the taste of fish, even more so the smell of it, and while he's surrounded by it here, he had hoped to escape it for a moment only to find himself once again in it's presence.]

Must you eat that right here?

[His tone comes out more curt than he means it to, but he doesn't really notice since he feels he's the one suffering from having to smell her food.]

[ There's a flicker of something across his face. Something dark. Uncomfortable. But it leaves as soon as it comes and is replaced by a light laugh ]

Well, it's a good thing they didn't make me a paladin then, isn't it? I don't think I could keep up with their strict morality code anyway. Especially if they're anything like the paladins back home.

Our personal effects are to be found along the coast, having washed upon the sands in various states due to the whims of the gods of this land.

[ Or the leviathans? He's actually just assuming the cause, he didn't pay a ton of attention while he was worrying about finding his gear (even paladins can be a little stupid.) ]

An offering made in selflessness should be met with gratitude.

[ He's saying those people would deserve it if you kicked their asses, actually. Tyr's justice goes both ways. Violence can usually be justified! When necessary. But he's not the suspicious sort, usually, so he heeds the drow's words seriously. ]

Your cause is admirable, but perhaps it would be best served by returning the weapons to the tavernkeeper. I understand that one must arm oneself for sake of one's own safety, but to take in excess would be most unjust.

"I would find my weapon then the captain of this vessel and kill them," he speaks bluntly, not interested in beating around the bush about this very important piece of information.

Still, the way the man says it makes him squint, because to him it indicates it might very well not be, but for the moment.. the man seems to be in the same boat (haha) as him, if the rags are anything to go by. So if they have been made slaves--..

He tilts his head trying to catch the shape of the man's ears.

[Aaand the snarl catches her mid-bite. She has to focus in order to not swallow down the wrong pipe, and once her mouth's empty she gives him a VERY sheepish laugh and a light bow at the waist.]

S-sorry, sir...

[She'll just... hastily wrap the dumpling back up in the bamboo leaves and tuck it away.]

[ No one can take Magilou seriously - except Phi, but that's a different story. Sure, they take the witch's advice on rare occasions, but only when they're certain she isn't spinning some tall tale on them. So, for now, Velvet only shrugs at his unasked question with the eyebrow. ]

That may be so, but I wasn't expecting you to follow me into another world.

[ Did Eizen find and touch the same bottle she did? Are there different bottles landing in a single world and transporting them all here? She waits until he's got a good grip on the boat before answering. ]

Those bottles apparently act like earthpulse points, only instead we end up here. Natives call people like us "riftfarers", and we're currently sailing with the Corsairs aboard the Stormbringer. They aren't too much different from pirates. Their ports are on the back of giant creatures they call leviathans.

[ Velvet puts a hand on her hip. ]

You'll fit right in here. We've been tasked with a search for the powerful artifacts that brought us here. The whole world is one big treasure hunt.

Yeah, it's... kind of like the navy of this world? It's a long story... B-but no. Actually, I think we're get a stipend once we go to shore, sir.

[He almost feels bad, but more he feels grateful that she was so quick to wrap up the dumpling and put it away, saving him from the lingering smell of shrimp. If he was stuck here, he might as well get every moment away from the damned stuff as he can.]

I thank you, merely find the smell of fish unappealing.[Just like him to be cursed to another port city.

A pause.]

Are you waiting on your crewmates or stalling? [He was the latter.]

Really? What do they get out of it?

[Do people really just hand out money at random to fly-by-night strangers? That's weird.]

I'm hardly a sir, by the way. My name is Percy. ...What's yours?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

Fenris || Dragon Age 2 || Corsair

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III

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1! I'm sorry!

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Sharkgulls

Hello!

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Yo!

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