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

[OKAY no longer in trouble. Good.]

Waiting... I-I have a few crew mates inside, but...

[But squeamish. Heck, it took her a hot minute (and a hot bowl of ramen fogging up her glasses) to conquer her reservations about her currently-absent contact lenses.]

[He is not going to say aaaannnnnyyyyyyything, but he is definitely wearing a catlike smirk as he watches her pass her before he follows, idly whistling as he does.]

[ There's a nod at her response before his movements seem to hesitate. It was true when he said he never wanted to leave her side, and from the moment they had reunited together it had been just that, despite the short amount of time. Yet even with something as simple as bathing he found that his feet did not want to move just yet. That his eyes wanted to remain fixated on Jill for just a moment longer... so that he could always be certain she was still right beside him.

Eventually the pause had gone on for a moment longer than Clive had originally intended as he blinks himself aware. Ducking his head in an almost uncharacteristic bashful manner before finally willing himself to move toward and into the wash room beside them.

Yes, a bath would help calm his nerves for certain...

The process of bathing himself had taken longer than his usual routine, more so because the stench of alcohol against his skin did not want to remove as easily as simple grime. He had much to mull over, as well. With Jill here, his brother alive, and being in a new world seemingly altogether... yet no matter what new challenges this land would bring about he would face them just as he had done within the Twins. Perhaps this world would be a bit kinder to them all. ]

[ If only that were the case.

It was later that the sound of a rough thump followed by whispered cursing alerted Torgal's ears to perk up and exchange a glance to Jill.

Finally, after a long moment of silence, Clive's voice is heard from the other side of the door. ]

Jill, I— [ fuckfuckfuck ] ... I'm sorry, I—

[ Did he even want to say it? He was so preoccupied with his own thoughts before going to bathe that of course he forgot something vital. But how to phrase it without startling her...? ]

I've heard about this "bottle," but I don't recall anything like it.

[Granted he was....kind of....you know. Dead. Is food for thought, though. Did it appear while his body was still on the floor of the inner sanctum? Or did it appear somewhere else where his soul or whatever was? Won't bring all that up, though.]

So you'll have to tell me what your experience was. But I was also on the Stormbringer.

[A light grin.]

Once an outlaw, eh? [Always an outlaw.]

If it is the idea of pain that puts you ill at ease, that is something that can be managed. If you were to get something relatively small and upon your shoulder, it won't be all that bad.

[ Considering he has one of his own and it is rather sizeable. But placement is everything and what it is this boy would like to have. A slight burning sensation, maybe a slight sting or two. And then it's done and an ointment applied for a little while.

And that's a regular tattoo. Who knows about these ones that allow the use of magic. ]

Tattoos are rather permanent, I fear.

Why was that not surprising. The man was insufferably calm about the whole situation.

Fenris doesn't like being below deck, it feels claustrophobic, but he endures it to get to the room with a... well a typewriter if this man is to be believed. He's never seen such a device before and is suddenly glad he can witness the other man pluck out his name first to understand how it works.

When it's his turn, he plucks at the keys slowly, as if searching out each letter before the typewriter takes over:

Fenris - Unshod
Corsair
Cabin 8
Apartment 24

Looking over the paper, he finds some words he knows, some he does not. All with a map he does not know how to read.

"Cor-..sire.. s-air.." he sounds it out very slowly under his breath, but once saying it, he knows. Isabela was a pirate, of course he knows what a Corsair is.

"She always said I should join her next crew.."

To... be part of the ship's crew? And... no, apparently we get paid once we get to shore?

[Yup, enlistment.]

[She's not even going to turn around as she stomps down the hall, but she will snap back at him.]

Stop that.

[His whistling, and that stupid grin of his because she knows that it's there.

And on their way out, she does pause when she hears a light beeping from one of the open doors, as well as blinking lights coming from the darkness. Curiosity gets the better of her, and gods, she knows exactly how Cidolfus might react to even the slightest engineered sound, but what she sees on the other side when she lets her gaze wander that way definitely surprises her........]

[Oh? Well that's not something he expected out of the prince's mouth, and sensing Dion's discomfort he'll back off.

For now. His motivations now may be entirely different from where it started, though.]

...That reminds me.

[A slight poke with his tankard before he sits back.]

It's Cid. None of this "Ramuh" business, got it?

Somethin' tells me they don't care who they're facin'

[Of course. He decides to go and stick his neck out to make sure his abilities are as they should be, and maybe to get a little bit of a reputation to trade on, given he was without the allies he'd been traveling with before, and it turns out to be weird hybrid creatures. As if seagulls weren't assholes enough without adding shark traits to the mix.

Not that they cared for an eldritch blast to the face either, the one he hit reeling with an almost outraged screech as the shot of sickly energy splashed against it's grey hide, another arcing and nailing it in the side sending it reeling into one of it's companions.

Did Fjord know which god Tyr was? Nope. Here was hoping this would end up without him having to throw down with Xenk. ~~Good thing his Charisma was so high?~~]

Just mindin' my own business.

[He says, while knowing very well why she's so mad.

But he also catches the sounds, and she's right. He's intrigued. However, he would have refrained himself and kept going if she hadn't stopped, and so when she does...]

What in good Greagor's name?

[Once more Cid's interest is piqued. Beyond piqued as he steps up next to her and peers in to see all sorts of machinery and devices he's never seen or fathomed.

And without even asking, he's walking in, looking like a kid who just entered some amazing wonderland.]

... Recruitment?

[Yup, you've been isekai'd and pressganged, Percy.]

Oh! Um, I'm Kotori Iida. I kinda of arrived the same way, about a week ago...

[ If Cid is looking to make Dion more comfortable, while the poke doesn't bother him he looks mildly perturbed by his words. They are not that close. One drink doesn't make them friends or companions, does it? ]

If...that is what you wish.

[ Jill also asked the same thing, so he will abide by their requests, at least. It doesn't look like he's very comfortable with the idea, however. ]

[.....]

No, and I apologize for the misunderstanding. But I've already been propositioned four times since arriving, each one saying something similar.

[ He is holding his hand to his chest in relief. The girl isn't going to tip over and fall into the waters. She is so excitable... Is this what it feels like when he reaches that point? ]

Even if they couldn't speak, there had still been a chance they could at least comprehend.

[ Much like Chocobos or Amaro, in G'raha's opinion. Those beasts don't always communicate in the same way, but they clearly understand conversation going around them. ]

All right. As for our friends here... Perhaps putting them to sleep or feeding them as a distraction?

What do you take me for?

[Oh his patience is cracking like the thin ice Astarion is walking on.

At this point there's a small whine as Valo reveals himself from behind Eustace, looking up at the vampire.]

"I-" Oh, that certainly startled Turo for a moment, the tail of his lab coat soaked a bit by the water he had been treading through before.

There was as look upon his expression that seemed to stall in place before moving towards something a little more neutral, and perhaps helped a little by the fact there was one of the sea slugs peering from behind the fabric to the one that wasn't wish to depart. Something, at least, finally caught up and resumed as Turo withdrew a filled jar of the requested secretion from a deep large pocket of his lab coat.

Which he was offering, "Perhaps, if you are after what is being collected, I can offer a filled jar. Rather than you killing this one." Convinced or not, he was more easily a solution finder at times.

[Even she's taken aback by everything, all of the blinking lights and sounds and screens a touch overwhelming. She has no idea what this all means, but she can see a map on one screen, words flashing on another, and more buttons than she would ever know what to do with.

So she doesn't notice right away when Cid pushes past her to go into the room, and as soon as she does—]

Don't touch anything!

[But even as she says that, she watches him... closely. Watches how he darts to it like a moth to a flame. How he has that childlike glint in his eye as he tries to figure it all out.

... Oddly, it takes her back once more. Wrenches her to the past when she would watch him hunched over his desk in the candlelight with a quill in his hands and papers sprawled every which way. She would lay in his bed, head sinking into the pillow as she waited for sleep to find her, and she would just... watch... enthralled by the way his face would wrinkle in thought, or how he would mutter to himself when something didn't quite fit.

...

....]

[Aaah.

...

Valo, please—

With a small sigh he'll take a hold of Valo's collar and pull him back a bit.]

Sorry. Ever since coming here he's been acting...strangely.

[..................

This isn't quite what he expected... And he could easily refuse. Normally he would and for a moment he can't help but look at G'raha skeptically.]

Is there something you need?

[Because surely it's not because of just...wanting...general company??? He's like the poorest choice—]

[ oh. two of them.

Maybe it's like how wereravens love shiny things? You know, like a compulsion. See a ball and you gotta chase! ]

I'm just saying, normally people like their things returned without the added saliva.

And yet, here you are...

[She gestures to him up and down with a single, easy flick of her hand.]

You and your little pet escaped right out from under my nose in Caer Norvent, and you tell me you have no qualms with me?

[She laughs.]

Our business may have ended, but am I not allowed to point out the ironic?

Edited (i can't spell anything in this game istg) 2023-08-23 02:57 (UTC)

[ Right, step one -- a new change of clothes! ]

Follow me. There is a room with requisitions.

[ They should have other clothes there, though as for his bandana... hm. Well. He thinks for a moment.

And then tears off one of his sleeves and wrings it as dry as he's able. I'm sorry. He is just. Like this. ]

Here. Unsuitable in the long-term as it may be, I hope this aids you.

Ach, I know, I know!

[Just a little wave as he continues to move this way and that. As a fellow engineer, he knows not to bother anyone too much while they work, instead placating himself to watching from behind...

....

But at some point he just can't help himself, practically hopping on the balls of his feet as he looks over the map and finally asks a few questions when they don't seem particularly busy. At least they seem used to it as they answer readily enough. Some less friendly—which is to be expected, but others are more amiable, even eager when they realize Cid wants to learn the ins and outs of what's going on and even being able to keep up a bit, only stopping when they talk about things he's never heard or seen.

And occasionally he'll look over at her and wave her over so she can see, too, but...

...

......

Yeah you lost him, Benedikta.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 60 of 190

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

HAHAHAHAH

Slugs!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject