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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

[It's a very fortunate thing that she kept her back to him, because if she'd seen the way he was about to laugh—

She almost considers not following and letting him leave on his own, but something prickles at her chest as she watches him go. Anger, no doubt, and plenty of exasperation, as well as that sharper sensation of need. A need both to get this over with, yes, but more than that, there's one that has her heart carrying her feet after him. She maintains a whole pace of space between them, remaining behind, but he will hear her footsteps coming and staying...]

[And he'll hear her, a small if bitter smile forming on his lips as he fingertips lightly brush over his chin. The sound of her following, her footsteps once something he'd always hear to the point that he learned to recognize them well. How he ended up calling her his "little duck," how she first reacted to it. How he'd sometimes call her "ducky" out of endearment. He can't even remember when it was the last time he did.

Setting those memories aside and wishing he had his cigars, he glances back at her over his shoulder.]

See you got a wardrobe change.

Edited 2023-08-24 15:57 (UTC)

They are not. Radiant magic is holy.

[ Just normal stuff, you know. The scales are looking pretty good now, just needs some finishing touches. And Xenk remains blunt as ever. ]

My Oath of Devotion grants me my abilities. We humans are not often born with magic, it is something we must foster from an external source.

[ As opposed to elves and stuff, you know. ]

[When he does glance over his shoulder, she hopes he doesn't spot the way she's staring at the back of his head the way that she is, her eyes having softened some since they started walking. Immediately, she maintains that stubborn look of hers, her arms immediately folding over her chest.]

As did you.

[There's the slightest flick of her eyes looking him up and down.]

I saw to it that these clothes were getting some use. [Meaning that she stole them from someone who clearly wasn't planning on wearing them.] Better than the rags they put us in.

[ Alucard's brow furrows momentarily as the explanation of radiant damage intrigues and puzzles him. Holy means something entirely different in his world, and while Alucard has a more broad understanding of the magic there than most, it's still difficult to imagine someone wielding the raw threads of power without affecting them in some way. ]

Not where I'm from, they don't. But we don't have gods either, so perhaps we've simply adapted.

It makes sense now why you're so at ease with taking on this mark.

[There's just the briefest apologetic smile at Valo because YOUR HUMAN IS BEING A MEANIE before she turns her hardened gaze back to Eustace.]

Yeah, because you were standing over him— [Tifa gestures to his face with her hand.] —looking just like that!

[Except unlike him, that look isn't going to work on her.]

[He can't really judge, he did the exact same thing—]

Can't disagree with that. Thought these could "get some use" as well 'til I find my own.

[He will also notice that she didn't change the belt he gave her. Interesting.]

So you haven't searched?

[That, or he hasn't managed to find them.

Though, she's not sure whether these new clothes do him any more favours than his usual, but she is very quick to shake off that thought.

And in case he's wondering—]

I have no plans on returning them, however.

Which is why I was trying to leave.

[And behind him the man is blubbering over something about werewolves and don't bite him and not again he can't—

Eustace just gives Tifa a look.]

You can deal with him.

[And again. GOING TO TRY AND WALK AWAY the other direction because Tifa blocked his immediate route.]

If you nicked them off another Corsair, then likely they had no plan on returning where they got them either.

[Since more likely stolen than bought—]

But not yet. Figured I'd get all the rest first before heading out to who knows where this is.

[He'll lift the paper to squint at the map. ...Yeah he'd rather at least the phone first.]

Just my sword and clothes, so I can hold out for a bit. Wish I had my cigars, though. Will have to look into how to get more.

[ Sirens. At this point, Alucard is beginning to wonder if every bit of legend from home won't present itself as a reality in this one.

He's done a fair bit of fighting and rescuing now, enough that the sleeves and patches of his uniform have been soaked through with sea water from hauling drowning men into the boats, from wrestling them in their thrall state until they could be bound. Those boats leave and others ride deeper into the lair of the murderous mermaids. It's been enough that when he sees the wreckage within, he doesn't hesitate to hop out onto the rocks and go to explore it. The best that he can figure is that the ship must have ridden a wave up into the jagged archway of the grotto and cracked it in half, then each half was carried inside to be thrown on the rocks too quickly to completely sink on the way.

What he enters is the aft portion of the ship, laying mostly on its side at a slight angle that leads it to being partially submerged in the grotto. The captain's quarters would most likely have been around here, which meant the possibility of some of the best cargo to be found. If one of his fellow Paladins found him, the explanation was simple: trying to help recoup some of the losses for the merchants who owned the vessel and the souls aboard. In truth, Alucard didn't see the harm in taking for himself a few things that may well have been lost to the sea, especially if they possessed some sort of power. He was beginning to become weary of working with what felt like a hand tied behind his back and his eyes half open.

Merchants had always hated him. To most, Alucard simply had a knack for finding the things they didn't want to sell and wouldn't be sold items with more stories than value. He was sure that the one woman who figured out that he could see magic took an extra year of life from him when they made their trades, just out of sheer annoyance. For the hundredth time since he'd arrived in this world, Alucard wished he could be that irritating again, that he would be able to pinpoint exactly where he needed to go in this flotsam so he didn't have to spend more time on his own within proximity to water that held possible danger. The songs of the sirens warble eerily off the cave walls and inside the hull, muffled by the plugs within his ears. He feels his own footsteps more than hears them as he makes his way across the wooden floor of the office. His short sword, hanging from his hand in preparation for trouble, glows with the temporary blessing of blue light set upon it prior to entering the grotto, illuminating the overturned cabin.

He's digging through drawers, silently mourning the scattered broken glass that signifies the death of some alcohol collection, when he sees it. A knife has seemingly wedged itself into the sideways door frame, somewhere about what would normally be an upper corner but now is a lower crook. It's a pretty thing, its handle inlaid with some form of jewels that the light dyes the true color of for now. It's been a while since he's needed to fight with a blade in both hands, but he'll be glad to have the option at the moment.

Abandoning the rest of the room for now, Alucard heads to grab the knife. When he crouches down to tug it free, he's finally able to properly see out onto the partially submerged deck outside. ]

Edited (grammarrr) 2023-08-24 18:12 (UTC)

No. There've been enough people today who've started messes they don't clean up.

[And she's so over it.

While she doesn't use the fire this time, she's going to jog around him and stand in his way instead, whirling around to face Eustace with no shortage of defiance in her posture.]

What even happened here!?

[She did see that look he'd given her, and she can understand where he's coming from because this guy really is a blubbering mess, but there must be a reason for all of it!? He certainly doesn't look like a werewolf though, but there's the briefest flicker of her eyes when they move up to his ears, and then back to meet his gaze.]

[The other girl is just a touch younger than Mai herself but somehow Mai finds herself thinking about Tom-Tom. Maybe because he'd be just as enthusiastic about good food.

The corner of her lips quirks up as she watches Kotori.]

Watch that after bite though. It's a doozy.

There is no shortage of them around here, no doubt.

[Though, like him, she could probably use a puff or two from her pipe right about now to at least help soothe the aggravation she feels gnawing endlessly at her since she left the ship. To be honest, even stealing one of his cigars from him would do her well enough, she thinks.]

I am sure you'll be reunited with them soon enough.

[If Cidolfus is anything, it is resourceful, after all. Stubbornly so.

They come up to the shop—aptly labelled, too—and she huffs out a quiet sigh of relief when the line isn't insufferable like the tattoo parlour's was, and she strides past him, picking up her pace.]

Let's get this over with.

[Because she already knows how this is going to go.]

No, you're fine! [She gives him another bow.] I really appreciate this!

[Actually... she bought several (because of course), so she reaches into her back to pull out one of the sticky rice dumplings.]

Here! I don't have a lot on me at the moment, but hopefully this is enough of a thank-you!

I-- y-yeah, once we get out of here...

[Just GRABBING HER PLATE, okay she's ready to go now, let's run!]

[More than Garuda's dominant...

If he knew—and oh, he very likely does—what chords those words strike within her in that very moment. For as much composure as she tries to maintain in his presence, observant eyes will no doubt miss that flicker of surprise that only slightly rounds out her eyes, fading into an affection that he is surely familiar with.

When she thought he'd simply toss her aside without the Eikon, when she feared returning to Stonhyrr to break the news that she'd been stolen from her, hearing that she has more value than that... It is not something she is used to hearing, but something she has yearned for... Years and years of her fighting to be more than what she was—stronger, valuable, needed—and now she has finally heard it. What a shame that it took until her own demise to do so, but perhaps it is for that reason that she's now clinging to it with an iron grip.

Her chin dips ever so slightly in a silent apology.]

Of course.

[Though whether she can is the question, isn't it? His reassurances that she will gladly accept help soothe her, but there is still that ever present nagging doubt in the back of her mind. Fear that if he finds out the entire truth, he will still cast her aside regardless. She would never dare doubt him, but herself, on the other hand...

Hearing, however, that Odin is here does bring her some small amount of relief. Enough that she can finally take a sip of her wine, only to rudely wrinkle her nose in disgust. They really did give her wine from their cheapest fucking cask, didn't they? What was that birdman's name again—

Setting her cup down, Benedikta slides into the opposite chair.]

You already have a plan, then...?

[He had mentioned conquering this world, and she mulls that over, downing another reluctant sip of her wine. Truly a king through and through, he is... He always has been. A conqueror. And if he truly does have Odin with him, then that is a battle that she does not want to be on the opposing side of. She has nothing to lose anymore back in Valisthea, but here...?

No, even without him and her vows to him, she would still choose the side with the highest chances. The side where she is more like to survive.]

[That actually gets a small, rueful laugh out of her.]

I know the feeling... I'm... actually not familiar with how these kinds of tattoos work. In my world, there's this machine like a big pen that pokes ink into your skin over and over again to make the pattern, which... n-no thanks... And they don't have magic either, obviously.

Edited 2023-08-24 17:51 (UTC)

[Ashi has no clue what tuna or mayo are but the shrug does the trick. He doesn't know anymore than she does.

Another tentacle writhes and Ashi makes a face at it, taking a moment to give it a good poking with her chopsticks before she finally picks it up and stuffs it into her mouth. Chewing on it sure seems to kill off the wiggling but it does nothing for the heat.]

Phew.

[She stops a moment to fan herself. She hadn't thought it was that hot at first but eating more of it kind of contributes to more heat.]

Y-yeah, there's that... Usually they should be dead already-- [COUGH!] o-or the heat should kill them...

[These are some seriously tough squid. Still, at least the texture is nice, and so are the flavors of the stir-fry past the heat. And thank god, Kotori is glad to have fresh rice again after a week at sea, and in this big a quantity.]

[ Xenk gets the sense that Astarion might be... hiding some kind of meaning under those words. (he's not hiding them at all, actually.)

Still, he's Xenk. He can't assume what he doesn't know for certain. ]

I am. Though delicate movements take much concentration. I learned over the course of several years.

[ Oh, don't worry, Xenk is even weirder than your average paladin, Alucard. But his magic is also something that is common knowledge to people in his world, so he doesn't think about what he isn't explaining. ]

Indeed. If this repairs my connection with Tyr, then I am happy to subject myself to a magical needle.

[ Is that what it does? Are you sure, Xenk? ]

[For Primals' sake.]

How the hell should I know? All I know is the man is drunk and is clearly afraid of me and my dog. So the only way to clean this up is if I'm—

[Again the man shouts at him to go away in terror and even calls them filthy beasts and vicious mongrels, perhaps finding courage that Tifa is "standing up to him." Although his expression darkens even more, Eustace just looks at her like, "See?"]

Edited 2023-08-24 18:58 (UTC)

[For a moment Miriam quieted; it was fine, for now, she told herself. The curse was held still like a clock stopped at the hour. She still was adrift like flotsam washing up with the tides, though she clearly wasn't the only one.

But! She had a task to focus on, not those gloomy thoughts.]

If that's the case, then-

[Miriam reaches right into the basket of gathered corals to pick one for herself; he'd already sampled a red one, so the black haired Shardbinder picked a frond of blue. It was much more brittle than she thought; she could crush it easily with her fingers, and almost did so before she could eat it. It didn't taste particularly nice, like a chalky powder mixed with seawater, but not vile enough to spit out.

And...nothing seemed to happen. Miriam frowned in disappointment.]

Is that all? [She said--grumbled, really. Her voice was much more disgruntled than it had been a moment ago.]

[Wow, way to ruin his excitement about getting one of those handheld devices!!!

Which doesn't last long when he enters and sees what they have on display. He does somehow manage restrain himself from going to one of the sample models, and it's only thanks to a staffer that soon comes up to them that he doesn't end up wandering.

With a bit of explanation and a little bit of waiting, the two will have their own shellphone devices and can pick out their own case, which is highly recommended to protect it. Their first set costs a nominal fee, but there are additional charges for any replacements, upgrades and service fees.

And once it is fully in his hands and set, Cid is already swiping over the screen, looking over the different settings and apps. There isn't a whole lot right now, but his eyes are shining.]

Brilliant. Bloody brilliant, I can't believe such a thing exists!

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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round two, fight!

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