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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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He watches her before his fist taps against the railing before he speaks slowly.]

...You lost control, took in too much aether and primed. Clive...

[Her eyes, though already stained with the beginnings of tears, are feral as she looks over to him.]

Who?

[The name doesn't ring a bell, and even if it did, it's not one that she would have remembered in the moment. But this Clive...]

What did "Clive" do?

[Who is he? What did he do? And more importantly, where can she find him?]

[He is so fucked right now and he knows it. But there was no easy way for this, is there?]

You lost control, turned the entire wood into a tornado and was sucking everything in.

[He grits his teeth.]

You two fought, and he won.

[That's it. That's all he has to say.]

[Her fingers wrap around the rail, squeezing so tight that the wood groans under the pressure. So tight that she might just snap the whole thing clean in half if she presses any more... All of her blood rushes to her head and she feels dizzy with anger, her vision going between blurring and almost whiting out completely as she tries to focus on him.

On his face. His voice. His words. All of it betraying everything that she thought he might have felt today.

Betraying her.

Again.]

That fucking...

[The words ride out of her on a snarl, and it's then that she feels all of the wind knocked out of her. Like Cid has taken her and thrown her overboard, sent her tumbling down to drown in the sea.

It was that Bearer that was with him. It's the only thing that makes sense. And he speaks of it as if he had been there, too. Of course he would have been—they were inseparable, weren't they? Tied at the hip. Where Cid went, so too did he, and how fucking annoying it was.]

Your fucking pet Bearer...

[Her breath hitches, and as she tries to blink the angry tears away, they only fall instead.]

You knew all along, didn't you? You... you let it happen... All of it.

[Just like he had when he took her powers.]

[His face contorts at the accusation.]

Now listen, I had no idea he could do any of that. I was surprised just as you.

[And once they started fighting, he couldn't intervene. Bloody hell, he could barely get in there, with or without priming, and then by the end—

His nails dig into his palm as he remembers. How he had tried to stop him but it was too late—]

And so that's why you let him—

[She pushes herself away from the railing with a growl, and she almost screams to the skies. Almost curses his name for the whole fucking world to hear, but instead, she only buries her face into her hands, hiding the tears and biting back the violent sobs that threaten to consume every part of her. Instead, it just makes way for more anger, more hurt... all those feelings bubbling up to the surface again after six years.]

You let him...

[He didn't stop it. He could have stopped it, but he didn't. There is leaving his kingdom, turning his back on her and his vows, and then there is this...]

I can't...

[Now, people have started to flock over to them, some quietly and cautiously asking if she's okay, others concerned with Cid, but it's an audience that she doesn't need nor want. Not now, not ever. Of all the fucking people to see her like this, it would be him, wouldn't it? She didn't care what all the rest of them thought, but him?

Why does he still matter so fucking much?]

I can't do this... I can't...!

[She turns on her heel and immediately tries to run without looking where she's going, and instead, she bumps into someone.]

Move!

[... and violently shoves them out of the way, sending the poor cat girl who had helped them earlier go tumbling back onto the ground. She pushes her way through, screaming at people to get out of her way, and with that...

...

She disappears.]

[The last time he saw her spiraling out of control, he could only look on with disappointment and some regret. Firm in his belief that she hadn't really wanted to do anything with him and so he just remained where he was, that the rift between them was just too wide. Felt that it was his responsibility to deal with, but a lot of good that did.

And now?]

Benedikta, wait—

[He takes a step towards her, the guilt and regret twisting his chest like a knife. But it's then that she turns and flees, and all he can do is shout and rush out after her.]

Benedikta!

[He pushes past the crowd, but it's too late. Even as he runs down the path, he looks this way and that, trying to find even a trace, but there were too many people, too many paths she could have taken.]

Shit!

[With a harsh swear he slams his fist against a rough coral wall, not caring how the pieces cut into his skin. For a moment, he thinks he should run after her anyway, but his feet remain still.

Because he knows deep down, he has no right to.

Not this time.

Because even if it's true that he couldn't intervene, she's ultimately not wrong.

He let her die.

It's not even just about the battle with Clive. She was likely already dead from that last attack that knocked her out of Garuda. Death was likely the only ending with how much out of control and aether she had taken.

No, it's not that.

It was everything leading up to that, from when he couldn't stop her changing back in Waleod, to not being able to convince her to leave with him, and then all the bitter feuds after. Until at some point a part of him did give up to focus on his own mission he set himself on.

And how he had been blinded and not realize the truth. Of not accepting what was in front of his eyes because of his own doubts, own suspicions.

For a long time he remains there, ignoring the questioning looks and whispers until at last he finally moves. The cut isn't deep, but he would eventually have to clean it. But for now...he just does what he's always been doing. Which is move forward...and try and figure out what the fuck he's going to do next.]

[She had heard him calling after her, but she wouldn't wait. She would run and run and run, and then run some more, until her legs could carry her no further... and still, she would keep going. When people would get in her way or turn to stare, she would shove them and push them aside, all so that she could get as far away from him as possible.

As far away from the hurt as possible.

Yet, even as she leaves him behind at that pier, it follows her. It's clung to her, its claws burrowing deep, its fangs biting into every part of her that it can reach. It assaults her, violates her—the fact that she had even thought for a moment that she could trust him again, or that there is the smallest chance that things could have, all of it makes her feel sick to her stomach.

That she had been so fucking stupid to even ponder the thought for a mere moment.

Disgusting. Fucking disgusting.

And even if she had wanted that chance, it's all been pulled out from under her. It's not as if she did, but even if there had been the smallest possibility that it could...

...

All of it, just gone.

And to know that he had been there when it happened...? That he had the chance to stop it, to save her, and he didn't? He could fight her all she wants on that, but the truth is that he let it happen. He let her die. He had a chance, and he didn't take it. What had he done instead? Did he watch? Did he tell himself that she was long past saving?

Did he feel any remorse?

Regret?

Did he feel anything at all? Or had he just stood idly by? Thought to himself that she deserved it?

It twists her stomach, constricts her lungs, and at some point, she runs out of breath that she collapses to the ground. She has no idea where she is, what direction she's run in, how to get back to the ship... All she knows is that she needs air if she is to keep running.

She needs her wings.

She needs Garuda.

Her eyes, frantic and wide, search around, looking past the people who are staring as she's collapsed to her knees in the middle of the street.

Garuda was the only thing that never once betrayed her. She was the only thing that she would need, and she can at least be sure now that she didn't leave. She would never. Garuda would never turn her back on her willingly or use her. Not like Cidolfus. Not like Barnabas.

When the world is lost, and she is forgotten, Garuda would still remember.

The tattoo parlour. She needed to get back to the tattoo parlour. She needed her magic... she needed her Eikon.

She didn't need anything else. No one else. Just the winds to carry her through this.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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