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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.

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[ Hm, yes, about being overrun... Xenk carefully places the bucket aside (that's for later, when they inevitably loot all the bodies,) and steps forward. ]

All the better, to obtain our booty.

[ He talks like this in canon and I hate it! I hate it! But also that's the point. He is so stupid. But this stupid guy holds back on channeling his blessings into his blade this time, (they need the bodies whole, after all.) Instead he steps forward and launches his sword out from its hilt, the magical blade flying directly from its sheathe into the neck of one of the new slugs, knocking it prone. ]

Edited 2023-08-26 20:40 (UTC)

[No, she wasn't supposed to give him that satisfaction, wipe that grin off your face, Cid—!

She quells her curiosity as she watches him dig through the display again because while yes, she had said that, she didn't expect that he would actually take the matter seriously and keep looking. So when he pulls out a new one—a green one with its back decorated with even greener, fancier feathers than ones she's ever seen...

There's just the slightest surprised arch of her brow—subtle, but it's there—as she takes it.

...

....]

This will do fine.

[And her fingers curl around it, almost protectively, before she turns to the display to look around. Unlike him, she is going to take this seriously, and eventually, after some deliberation, though not much, she'll pick out a leather case. A dark brown one with a weathered look to it.]

It looks like one of your old journals.

[Is all she says as she holds it out to him.]

[ Astarion literally scowls at him. Don't talk like that.

He would make a quip but he's too busy watching Xenk's blade fly out and hit one of the new slugs. What the heck is that? ]

Well isn't that a fun little trick.

[ The slugs screech in distress and begin to slither closer, albeit quite slowly. They're sea slugs, the deck doesn't quite agree with them. It's the end of their turn. Xenk holds out the empty hilt, calling the sword back with a quick gesture.

The sword flies through the air, avoiding hitting anything on its way back. ]

It is no trick. The blade is enchanted to return to my side.

[ That... that much was obvious, yes. ]

Edited (icon) 2023-08-26 21:07 (UTC)

Don't be obtuse.

[ Astarion's turn again, then. He shoots the slug that Xenk just hit and then disappears back into the shadows with a sweet hide action. ]

[ Xenk smiles to himself, easy as ever. He is obtuse, thank you. Astarion's more subtle mastery of movement doesn't escape his notice, but that just means he needs to be even flashier, to keep the creatures from noticing him.

He closes the gap between himself and several of the slugs, and draws his blade properly this time. With a flourish, he slashes down and slices another of the creatures at the neck, then draws the dagger from his sword and uses it to stab the next nearest one. It would be perhaps a bit more damaging if he were smiting them, but he's nothing if not careful. ]

Well I thought we were trading obvious statements.

[ Is this comforting to you, Astarion? If he's a little mean? ]

But you're right. Terribly rude of me.

[ He's reminded of something Astarion himself said. ]

I won't press you.

Of course.

[He's just going to give Tifa a look that suggests she just asked the dumbest question—]

[ The meanness might be fun at another time but unfortunately he's really bad at receiving his own energy back at him. He really is a cat, you see. But bristle though he might at the obvious statements comment, he relaxes when Alucard says he won't press him. He even goes so far as to use his words!!: ]

I appreciate the consideration.

[ Maybe, if Alucard hadn't led him on the first night and hadn't lost so much approval, he might have taken that appreciation and decided not to lie to him. He might not have told him the truth, but he wouldn't have lied.

Instead, for all he clearly doesn't mind Alucard's company, he still doesn't trust him. So he decides to lie. To act like they're closer, like he's giving him something here by "telling" him about the nightmares. But it isn't the truth at all. ]

It was just about the sirens. About drowning. I'm lucky you intervened. It seems my mind is all too willing to provide the details as if you hadn't.

[ Astarion is glad Xenk seems to catch on to the idea. He attacks from the shadows, his arrow striking true again. He can't kill one in one hit, but he's certainly setting up for good damage. Look we can't all be paladins! And he doesn't want to waste his fun trick arrows here.

Man Xenk is really good though. And he's hot? And he makes for a good party member? Damn he hates that. ]

[Well, it's a fair question? Maybe he took care of them before she got there? She doesn't know...! But she sees that look and frowns at him before continuing to follow along with a huff.]

Is it true what they say about sirens? That they only affect men?

[Cid is again pleased by her accepting his choice. It may not really mean anything in the end, but... He could at least do this much, right? And he's about to look for one himself when he realizes Benedikta is looking around. ...Is...she...really...?

So there's genuine surprise when she does pick out something...and the reason for her choice. Slowly he'll take the case, noticing how it even has a flap to open it and the insert for the shellphone. Fingering it for a moment, he thinks back of all the journals he wrote back then. Most of it about his own notes or ideas, but there were other things.

Sentimental things.

Things she's read.

Momentarily lost in those thoughts, he comes to quick enough and looks up at her with a soft smile, tapping the case a few beats.]

Thanks. I'll take care of it.

[And he means it. Not just for wanting to protecting the device, but because it's something she herself picked. Again, it could mean nothing at all—just a transaction given in return to his own choice. But once again thinking of her death, of the last thing they ever really "exchanged" were barbed words and hurt feelings...

Even he can feel a little something about it.

And as if to busy himself, he'll even work on fitting the phone in, sliding it in the setting with a satisfied snap.]

Perfect fit, too.

[ He knows how to fight with companions, despite his usual fights being all 5-v-1. He is quick to finish off the one Astarion hit, then moves on to drive his sword into the next one beside it, before it can anger further. They're making quick work of these, which is good news indeed.

Xenk may be methodical in most things, but it really works for him when he fights. He is efficient and agile, dodging blows from the two slugs that remain, hissing and crawling over the bodies of their fallen brethren. He just looks very, very cool. You hate to see it, Astarion. ]

[She can't help but laugh.]

And get yourself into actual trouble?

[Though she can't say she disagrees. A good headbutt or several would have definitely set the man straight. There are plenty of other good taverns around, but this really wasn't about that.]

How long have you been arguing with him? ... You must be starving.

[Because Shiva knows Tifa certainly is.]

[It hadn't meant anything at all...

...

... until she sees how much he actually likes her choice. It had simply been a reminder, something that she felt was very Cidolfus-like, but with the way his expression softens and how he seems almost lost in thought when he runs his finger over it.

It brings her back for just a moment to those nights when he would show her what he'd written...

She hadn't expected much of anything. Really, she thought he'd turn it down and pick out something simpler for himself, but there's a very palpable skip of her heart before she tears her eyes away lest she stare just a second too long.]

You'd better. Or I will throw it into the ocean if you ruin it.

[ It's a good lie considering it's what Alucard had already wondered about himself. And really, he's not as on his game as he could be, still weighed down somewhat by sleep and the bit of comfort in being close. So he just gives a soft grunt. ]

We'll be back at Eltrut soon. Perhaps some quality time on land will help. [ Then he adds with a quiet puff of breath. ] Or alcohol.

[Weird... obviously she's not familiar with his world's magic, but... surely there has to be SOME good uses for it, right?

But then the conversation shifts too quickly for her to ask.]

Oh. [She holds out hers as well.] Yeah, this is one thing. It pretty much works the same as the ones back home. These are actually kind of on the newer side though; I think until a couple decades ago, you could just make long-distance voice calls, and usually just from one spot.

[Her head tilts, eyes watching him with a careful curiosity, but as soon as he winces, she reaches out to stop him from moving his left arm any further.]

Oh, jeeze...

[It's her turn to wince just a little bit because she's had to relocate a few shoulders in her day when doctors were too expensive to visit for something so simple.]

Here, let's find you a place to sit down and I... can help with that.

[She stops dead in her tracks and looks at him, not a shred of recognition in her expression at the name.

And, remembering her own worries that she's been carrying with her since she found him at Sector Seven's train station, she asks as carefully as can be:]

... Edge? Where's that?

Nor would I, if I were in your position.

[He takes another drink of his wine. He wouldn't like it, not one bit if he was that close, and then stolen away like this.]

Is it as common for Elves then as it is in mine?

[ Where's that - Now that has him turning around. Looking at Tifa with eyes narrowing a little. They glance to the side for a moment, away from her and then refocus back onto her. How could she not know - ]

Edge. Where we live and you rebuilt your bar?

[ Shouldn't she know this? Tifa had been a very important piece in getting his head back on straight. Now it hadn't alarmed him at all that she had said something about Kalm. It's not out of the ordinary for travel back and forth between the two places. ]

Edited 2023-08-26 22:45 (UTC)

[ Compared to Fenris' slightly bowlegged posture, Xenk looks down right statuesque in his rigidness as he follows the man out of the lower decks.]

And what would you like to know of Thedas?

[He's not sure where to start so his question is honest, he will gladly tell the man whatever he likes to know.

Not that he thinks Xenk and Kirkwall would mix well.. he gets the feeling the man would want to fix it.. and possibly kill Anders for what he did. But that's not really here nor there.]

[....Hm.

This time he contemplates.]

As far as I am aware of, that is what I've heard. But it's said they draw on their target's desires, so I wouldn't put it past them to try and lure women as well if they are hungry enough. Even without, they are deadly in the water, so stay on land.

[The thing about that statement that is most disconcerting to Fenris is how in Thedas the most powerful magical fuel would be blood or the Fade. Both of which are terrible options that can lead to terrible things.

He's not a fan that a device might be capable of blood magic and how many lives might have had to be used to do it.

But he keeps this to himself, it might be different here, he is still trying to grasp that he's not in Thedas, let alone anything else. These are magics that are not like home, yet this man who is not like home is familiar enough with them.

Looking down at himself--]

I did not start in rags no, nor do I have my sword any longer, if that answers your question.

[Roxas shrugs. Not being able to swim certainly doesn't help. He'd almost take the rigging instead.]

I mean, there's better ways to get people between worlds. Can't say falling from the sky's a good one.

So, what is this place anyway?

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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