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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

[It's such a broad question that Jill takes a few long moments and a sip of her ale to consider an answer. There's a lot she could tell Cid, about how Lady Charon is still grumping along, how the Martelle's apples have grown sweeter over the year, but she begins with a topic much closer to herself.

One that has her putting her tankard down and giving Cid a look of resolve, setting the conversation back on a serious note.]

The Iron Kingdom's Patriach is dead. I made sure of that.

[Cid will be nursing his own drink, ruminating over everything he's heard so far.

Ultima... Damn bastard, he really hopes that thing is dead, for all their sakes. But then Joshua... Hm. He'll have to figure out what to do about that. Well until Clive shows up, he'll have to try and gather them all again. Now with Jill here, better numbers in their favor, and while it was better to let Joshua move on his own, now might be the time to group back together.

Ugh, can't he just rest in peace—

He'll also take a few puffs from his cigar and will have just exhaled one when he hears her bit of news.

And widens his eyes as he stares at her.]

...You did that, eh?

[And he knows exactly what she means by that. He's done his research, and while he doesn't know the full details, he knows enough.]

Must not have been easy.

It was the easiest decision I had ever made.

[She has never been the type to enjoy killing, but there was some sort of great satisfaction knowing that it was her blade Imreann on which he found his end. No one else would be hurt by him any longer. Jill had meant that when she said it.]

I did tell you atonement was the only answer we needed. [She glances down at her hands, holding them palm upwards. They aren't the cleanest, but they're in a state where Jill can now live with herself.] This was mine.

[Seeing, that he feels a bit more reassured and the grin comes more naturally.]

Aye, that you did. [He then reaches over and pats her on the shoulder. He knows she doesn't need it, but—] Well done, Jill.

[Sometimes it never hurts to hear a few encouraging words.]

Looks like I really made the right choice.

[No, it does not. It's actually been quite some time since Jill's gotten any encouragement from someone other than Clive and coming from Cid himself? The words mean so much more than she could ever find words for.

But what she does have the ability to say is something five years overdue.]

I never got to thank you. For allowing me into the Hideaway. You didn't have to do so, but you did and you never asked me for more than what I was willing to give. I should have told you how grateful I was--am--that you gave me a chance.

[He's a little surprised by her words, not expecting such a thing at all. And a bit of an awkward plays at his lips as he fiddles with his cigar.]

Ach, there's no need for that. Only did what was right.

[A small tap of his cigar before he looks back up at her.]

My only regret was I couldn't get to you sooner.

[Jill shakes her head. This is important and gods be good, she's not going to let Cid just brush it off.]

Perhaps, but you still did it and I want you to know how much it means to me. Words can never be enough, maybe no deed either, but I have to have it said at the very least.

[She gives him a compassionate smile, warm all around the edges with full affection for a man whose become an unexpected part of her life.]

Please, no regrets for something I never held against you.

[Seeing such genuine affection and sincerity, Cid can't help but laugh.]

Hard to refuse such kind words when put like that.

[Now there's a bit of a warmer smile of his own, an unexpected ripple of relief settling through him as he can see that at least his efforts weren't for naught. That he at least saved one more poor soul and broke them out of their fate.]

Just continue living your life. That's all you gotta do.

[Well, at least he's stopped fighting it. Some things just need to put out there in the air and Jill is glad she managed to clear another one of her regrets.]

I fully intend on that, Cid. Never you worry.

[She had plans for the after, when everything is said and done. The location will just have to be changed, that's all.]

Then I'll drink to that.

[A wry grin as he raises his tankard towards hers. Come now, time for a good drink, aye?]

[Long has her food been forgotten, Jill will probably regret drinking on an empty stomach, but that will be a problem for a later Dominant. Right now, she's just appreciative of her company and with that, she lifts her mug, tapping it against Cid's.]

Here, here.

[A toast to new adventures? Absolutely.]

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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