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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

I. Arrival (Royal Fortune)

[If March had 10 credits for every time she woke up somewhere she didn't recognize, she'd have 20 credits. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened to her twice. At least this time she has her memories, at least as far back as the last time this kind of thing has happened to her. That's an improvement!

The ship's crew (with an assist from the magic typewriter) quickly get her up to speed. The Paladins seem like nice enough people, which is good because she's one of them now? She thinks? It's pretty rude that she doesn't get a say in the matter, but there are worse things that could happen upon arriving in a new world. She's experienced no shortage of them while trailblazing.

After her orientation, she can be found searching the ship while holding what might be the least helpful map of all time.]

My stuff should be below deck, I guess? And toward the front of the ship?

[FROWN.

Oh hey, there's someone standing nearby! Maybe they'll help.]

Hey, does this make any sense to you?

II. Tattoo Time

[Is March happy to have to get a tattoo to access her Six-Phased Ice abilities? Not at all. Tattoos are meant for hardened men and cool people, not cute girls! But if she has to get a tattoo, she's at least going to make sure it remains on theme for her general aesthetic. After much deliberation, she decides her right ankle seems like a good spot for it.

The octopus who runs the shop seems intimidating but is actually pretty nice, at least. And it doesn't hurt, much to her surprise. The lack of pain and good service do much to lift her mood, and she quickly finds herself curious about other clients in the shop. She leans over to the nearest person.]

So, what kind of tattoo are you getting?

III. SHARKGULLS

[It's a good thing March decided to prioritize finding her stuff and getting that tattoo, because these sharkgull things are the worst. THEY ARE TERRIFYING WHY DO THEY EXIST???

Luckily, she's an experienced fighter--and uses a bow, to boot. Usually she worries that fighting with a bow and arrow isn't ~cool~ enough, but right now she's grateful for the ability to shoot these creatures while they're in the air.

One of the sharkgulls is taking a dive toward some unfortunate soul. For obvious reasons, that can't be allowed to happen.]

Look out!

[She doesn't wait to see if the person is prepared or able to defend themselves--she takes the shot. Her arrow flies true, and while it isn't enough to fell this thing it at least is enough to stop it in its tracks for a bit.]

IV. Wildcard

(( If there's something you'd like to do with March that's not listed here, feel free to tag with whatever--I'm up for it! I can be reached at

asondeiru and asondeiru on Discord. ))

[ This entire experience has been so weird. Pepper normally lives on a canal boat - and now she's on a different boat? As part of a fleet? Like March, she is a Paladin. Worldhopping isn't a complete mystery to her (the canal boat is a vessel for this), but this situation is utterly wild.

As she's sitting there consumed by a daydream, she snaps out of it once she realises that a girl is talking to her. At least she seems friendly and peppy. March will notice that Pepper has her arm stretched out in front of her, and the octopus is using a lot of yellow tattoo ink on her arm. ]

Hm? Oh, me?

I'm getting a sunflower.

Edited 2023-08-18 19:59 (UTC)

[It sure is weird! March is only able to be so casual about things because she has experience with both waking up in a new place with no explanation and in traveling to new worlds where she doesn't know what to expect. Treating it like any other trailblazing expedition has helped. ~~The only downside is that no one else from the Astral Express is here with her this time...~~]

Oh, pretty! I bet it'll be super cute.

What kind of abilities are you getting from the sunflower?

I, uh ...

[ Oh lord ... Pepper usually keeps her powers a secret (for the most part), but maybe it doesn't hurt to let her guard down in this place. Especially since she's in the company of others who have powers, too, unlike most other places that she tends to visit. ]

Plant powers. Yeah. My sunflower will give me back my plant powers.

[ She casts a curious glance over to March. ]

And yourself?

[Pepper's instinct to let her guard down is the correct one. March lights up at the answer.]

Plant powers? That's so cool! We don't have plant powers where I'm from.

[Alas, there is no Dendro equivalent in Honkai Star Rail.]

I'm getting my Six-Phased Ice ability back. Although it's more like crystals than ice, even if it still freezes things like ice powers do.

I'll show you once the tattoo is done, but only if you show me those plant powers of yours too. Deal?

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

MARCH 7th | HONKAI STAR RAIL | PALADIN

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let's do a spicy squid eating challenge :3

omg yessssss

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