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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

Not exactly. No. I grew up in a small village, so there weren't that many people around. Not like this. I left the village recently, but I'm still not quite used to places being this busy.

[He isn't against the idea of cities and all. Has been to Ladylake. He's just still adjusting to it all. That this place would be so crowded. Given his upbringing in Elysia was the farthest thing from this with only a few other seraphim with him. He gives a shrug, glancing around.]

Ladylake was busy. Big.

[ Well-trained dog... Ah ha. March do you realize you're talking to a feline? He shakes his head a little. Ah well.

Instead he's just thinking about this. ]

Seaweed or lettuce, perhaps. Oh I suppose we can't just take it from the stores, hmm?

[ So yeah. March isn't off the mark at all. ]

All right. I say we try it.

[He'll just watch amused before he looks at his phone, curious to see how it looks when she ends the call.

Ah, there it goes.]

Looks like we got most of the basics...

[And it's at that moment that the staffer that helped them earlier approaches holding two bags.

"Sorry! I forgot to give you these—they hold the box and the booklets for your shellphones. You can also choose a special cover case for the device, which we highly recommend. The cases will protect the device in the event the phone is dropped or scratched or some other damage. Please, look over our selection and let us know if you need any other help!"

But as soon as they finish, they are called by another new arrival and has to excuse themselves to help.

After glancing at the bag, curious about what the booklet has, Cid looks back at the display case for the cases.]

Might as well take a look. Wouldn't want to break this on the first day.

[...May...be giving her a pointed as he suspects she's more than likely to throw it somewhere—]

[He isn't wrong—

She stares at the staff member who wanders up to them and interrupted them, her already thin patience so, so much thinner now. With the way she scowls, one would think they've just had another important conversation interrupted...

But he leaves them alone quick enough, and she's at least grateful for the new customer who steals him away, allowing them to continue on their own. Benedikta does follow Cid to the case quietly, though, and peers through the glass at the wide selection.]

... There are too many to pick from.

Y-yes. I will, but that does not mean it should be your burden...

[ Why are you being so noble, hmm? Where does Joshua get off being like that? ]

...Really are... Different designs and everything.

[He'll pick one up at random, curious how it looks before he looks back down. Hmm...

Hmmmmmmmm.... Ah!

A mischievous grin forms as he holds up a bright yellow with ducks on it.]

Think this would suit you well.

[ He holds back more impatient demands. Ironic, with how Jarlaxle clearly wanted to hear him. But he's too afraid of coming off too strongly all at once, or being too much, or being too loud, which was certainly a thing he was capable of being.

Well, he'd probably share that particular part soon, anyway.

Astarion's body accepts the other man with a practiced ease. He rocks his hips along with Jarlaxle's movements as best he could, meeting him halfway. His expression is full of bliss, and now the little noises of pleasure fall from his lips. He feels good, warmed by Jarlaxle's body and filled with his cock.

But he wants to share that with him. He reaches over to him to try and drag him to a kiss, to let him feel how much he loves this. ]

That is usually the best option, selecting something that has personal meaning. One of my own is very much like that.

[ Not the ones on his neck though. That's something completely different. But he would also support just watching and observing. Asking questions. ]

Huh—?

[Tifa looks to the siren as her wails fade to nothing, then back to Eustace as he's already hoisting the sailor over his shoulder... What in the world just happened? Her mind is spinning, and it takes her a moment—several, actually—to fully register the sequence of events that just unfolded.

...

Before she rushes over to Eustace.]

Th-thanks... [She starts, because she will at least give him that.] ... but next time, a shout to let someone know you're not shooting them would do just fine!

If I shouted, the siren would have noticed and taken cover.

[And that's all he says as he continues to walk.]

[ Xenk may be Lawful Good, but he's worked with the Harpers and just about every other order in the Forgotten Realms, he knows when to pick his battles. ]

One can hope this is the case. May fortune favor you.

[ He'll even go ahead and give Jarlaxle a little Blessing, along with himself. Because Jarlaxle did say he'd wanted it, (did he?) and also they're both about to do some rigorous heavy lifting, so anything helps. ]

I am able to observe my surroundings in the dark just as well as in light.

[ That one's not a gift from Tyr, though. But Xenk will explain further if asked, he just doesn't elaborate. ]

[ wow, a whole joke!! excellent work, Xenk. ]

Oh, the night is still young, yet.

[ he's a vampire, remember? and he manages to say it in the most flirtatious way possible, of course. ]

But goodnight to you all the same, Xenk Yendar.

Edited 2023-08-26 06:24 (UTC)

You are a scholar? Your research would serve us well, should our circumstances mirror those in your home. Your knowledge could prove invaluable.

[ Look, it... it takes Xenk a while to notice things when they're not totally spelled out. But he is just now realizing this. ]

My apologies, I have not introduced myself. My name is Xenk Yendar. To whom do I owe the honor of this meeting?

[ ~~happens to me soooo much I practically live with the edit button ready to go sob~~ ]

Edited 2023-08-26 06:35 (UTC)

Indeed. Much of my work as of late has been slaying monsters, and protecting those whose lives were threatened by them.

[ A common problem in Faerun, what with the cults and the monstrosities that so often plague the land. Never mind the undead... Xenk's just glad these weren't undead. ]

I have reason to believe it may be another world, an entirely disparate plane from those I know. Though I have met several others who know it, I have made acquaintances with just as many who have not.

[ He's new, in other words. ]

Something like that, yes. Quite a few research papers written, and discoveries made that helped change some of life for the better; made dealing with some strange phenomenon a little safer for those up to the task.

[Him with sarcasm, honestly- possibly a few other things.

Turo was still being truthful at least, the memories and knowledge were things he possessed, just... Well, a little detail was still something he was dealing with despite continuing on.]

Professor Turo, of the Paldea Region- there a quite a few different regions of the world I'm from, but that is the one I call home. [Deep down in a crater hole.] It is a pleasure to meet you, Xenk Yander. For that, well, I believe both of us were caught up in the possible details and implications of what these tattoos here could carry. Both of us can be forgiven for a lack of proper introductions until now.

~~[mood tho, reason I try to remember previewing- if it isn't the html, it's a word spelled right but not the one meant! but boy do I be slipping still]~~

[ For the sake of not being a complete hypocrite, Astarion does stay for a little while with Alucard. Alucard clearly wanted to cuddle and he shouldn't just offer and then deny him.

Okay, admittedly, that had exactly been his plan but then he felt bad about it! Being a nice person sucks!

So he stays in his hold for a while. It's a little awkward for him--he's never really done this with anyone before. But there is maybe something to be said about the weight of another's body pressed up against his own. The sound of Alucard's breathing almost reassuring.

Eventually it gets to be too much. It's this new, overwhelming sensation. But with his stealth bonuses he'll have no problem sliding free.

A couple hours of wandering around gives him time to steal a few choice ingredients from the kitchen to create something to mask his scent and it gives him time to hunt a bit. He finds a couple of rats--disgusting, vile things to eat, but at least it's better than nothing. Anything would be a boon in the face of the bloodloss from the mermaids.

Once he's satisfied he's not going to be so hungry that he might accidentally attack Alucard he wanders back to his room to check on him. Not that he's worried or anything!!!! ]

Hey, Spikes!

[Reno called out just before he ducked and swung his baton at the dive-passing sharkgull, swatting it out of the sky with a satisfying thwack. He continued talking as if nothing was amiss with this situation.]

Why do you always gotta act like you're too cool to have a little fun, yo? Just get your ass in gear and do something useful for a change, Cloud!

[As if... Cloud never saved the Planet or anything, gosh, slacker. Get with the program!]

[ After all the fighting, swimming, and stressing, Alucard didn't need much time to drift off after he shut his eyes. Maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to fall asleep next to someone so morally dubious, much less cuddle up to them, but it felt like a good gamble to trust Astarion on the same day of saving his life. It's also felt like entirely too long since he was able to be intimate with anyone, to indulge in the comfort of another body after dealing with the cruelties of the world. It was worth a risk... or maybe he was just desperate.

When Astarion returns, he'll find Alucard much the same as he left him, curled on his side asleep. One arm curls up against his chest while the other is still sprawled across the empty patch of bed beside him, a place the elf had once filled. His side rises and falls with a steady tide of breathing, some of the strands of his long hair stirring before his face with it. In his sleep he looks younger, but also perhaps more troubled without that dazzling smile in place. He's also warm to the touch - not feverishly so, but enough it's attracted the cat to coil up against his back to soak it in. She stares up at Astarion, an unblinking, white sentinel that seems to be asking if he's just going to creep on her owner for the next however-long or what. ]

[With no a sharkgull in sight, she gave off a huge smile. As she gave another around of applause, she walked right up to him before placing one of her hands on her hips.]

I certainly hope so. I would hate to see that had been a terrible audience and especially when we're both from Teyvat. Now, that would be a horrible first impression!

[ It is, to start with. He needs to launch a topic in order to be able to go somewhere. And his ears are just WIGGLING now. Floating islands aren't anything new but - ]

If that is what is above, then what is below?

[ Something tugs at Astarion's heart to see Alucard's arm still positioned where he had been before, as if waiting for him to return. When had anyone ever wanted his presence that badly?

He tells himself it's not personal. That Alucard would have done this for anyone, and that it was about the mere fact of a body (warm or otherwise, as the case may be here) to cuddle up to.

But the stare from the cat is not making him feel any less guilty!! He gives her a "what do you want from me?" look but he knows. So he sighs and takes the time to take off his weapons belt, setting it down in a pile next to wherever his bow is, making sure he'll be comfortable. Then he slides his way back into bed under Alucard's arm.

So there, cat!! He's not just going to stand there staring at Alucard.

Much to even his own surprise, Astarion does eventually fall asleep. But here's the other problem of sleeping next to someone else he hadn't considered: when the nightmares come (and they always do) it's that much more obvious. The troubled expression, the shaking and trembling, the quiet noises of distress. It's like he'd said -- sometimes meditating was better. ]

[Well, he has a point, but still... You shouldn't just point guns at people and shoot so close like that. One misstep and that could have ended very differently.

And now things are awkward again as he continues to walk with the sailor... Which is at least something that Tifa can focus on rather than the terrible churning of her stomach at being stuck on a faraway island with him, of all people, and not another person within range to help make this un-awkward.]

Is there... anything I can do to help...? He wasn't the only one, was he?

[She glances down to the case, and it takes a few seconds more for it to click—]

Me!?

[Does he not see how stupid this looks!? With the stupid little duck faces? And their duck bills? And their weird eyes? On top of that, she hasn't forgotten... all those years ago... and she knows exactly why he picked that one out.

And she will not give him that satisfaction. So, she seizes the case from his hand and firmly puts it back before that flush can creep up any further into her cheeks.]

If you're going to pick one for me, the least you can do is make it suitable.

[She is not a DUCK, she is GARUDA.]

[He's probably gone over in his head a million times over about what he would say or do if he ever saw her again. But now that he's suddenly faced with that without a real answer of what he should start with Zack feels just as unsure of what to say. Her laugh is followed by his own laugh that's just as airy.]

You're right, those pants don't suit you whatsoever.

[She always looked better and cuter in pink.

He doesn't look away from her when she asks her question too. His hand comes up to rub the back of his head. She deserves so many answers.]

... Yeah. As good as I can be, I think. I don't know how I got here because the last thing I remember is [...] looking up at the rain from the ground.

[... How the hell does he tell her he was pretty sure he was dying the last time he checked?]

I think you lost me at, "the sea of stars to the end of all things."

[Zack gives a rather unsure expression.]

I'm lost enough that you've got cat ears already, but what do you mean by that? You saw the end of what exactly?

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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