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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 has been a very confusing arrival. Not only has Joshua found himself in a new world entirely he has no idea what has happened to the one he's left behind. The worry etches on the inside of Joshua's mind and heart. Yet, he still finds enough energy to persevere enough to find answers and that comes with abiding by this world's laws. At least for now.

With his own gear back and his own Eikon returned to him he does feel marginally more equipped to face these things. The warmth of the Phoenix nestled deep inside him is a sort of comfort he didn't know he would miss.

Seeing Benedikta Harman there, her fingers flicker with her own eikonic power... perhaps now he can understand a fraction of what it might have felt like when an Eikon is lost.

But Great Greagor does not know how to approach her. Maybe he'll carefully lower his gaze. He was not staring.]

[She feels someone's eyes on her, and then that very same gaze flit away. Perhaps it's a good thing that here, she cannot sense the presence of another Dominant, that tingle in the back of her mind when one is near either gone or too weak to pick up, either due to her weakened state or the world itself, but...

As the boy lowers his gaze in that very particular way, she can't help but be bothered by it.]

You were staring.

[She very loudly points it out as he tries to walk past her, and there's a burst of wind that erupts from the ground as if she means to block his route. She doesn't like being stared at like that.

And if she can ever good a better look at him, her eyes will narrow just so.]

Have you got something to say?

[Perhaps about the frail, sorry state of this tattoo magic?]

Edited 2023-08-19 18:31 (UTC)

[He had been ready to make his leave! Not wanting to bother a woman that he shouldn't get in trouble with again. He very much likes not being stabbed-

But the whoosh of wind that erupts has Joshua stopping before it can cut his skin or clothing. His hand snaps out instinctively and a flash of firey strings dispel the wind with a sizzle on the air.]

... My apologies. [Joshua starts quietly.] I had only noticed that I am not the only dominant to find themselves here.

[Might as well be transparent now.]

[Oh?

Her brows lift in that very perfect arch, the flames that dispel her wind nothing short of impressive... but that isn't what's caught her attention.

Curious.]

A Dominant? [Green eyes flick to the hand that had shaped the flames.] Of fire?

[Now she's keen, and she pushes herself away from the wall, snapping her fingers closed around the green magic that swirls in her palm.]

Could it be that I've found my quarry at last? Funny that it should be here, of all places.

[She laughs, but there's something bitter lining her voice, and while she doesn't say it aloud, she does curse that Mistress Fate under her breath for being a little too late on the draw again, that bitch.

Little does she know, of course...]

Your quarry? I have no qualms with you.

[Joshua stands his ground but he has no desire to fight with her. Not when he is still unsure about the strength of his own Eikonic powers. And absolutely because he does not want to fight with her.

It's been years since that day in the dungeon and Joshua had tried to keep his identity hidden even then. And besides, he heard the news of her own death. So whom is she speaking about... Clive? If that's the case Joshua will not say a word.]

Your business with me ended long ago.

And yet, here you are...

[She gestures to him up and down with a single, easy flick of her hand.]

You and your little pet escaped right out from under my nose in Caer Norvent, and you tell me you have no qualms with me?

[She laughs.]

Our business may have ended, but am I not allowed to point out the ironic?

Edited (i can't spell anything in this game istg) 2023-08-23 02:57 (UTC)

[That comment about his "little pet" very much cements the fact that she is referring to Clive and Torgal and not Joshua. And while he doesn't want to inform her of too much for he does not know if he can trust her entirely...]

I must inform you that I am the Phoenix. [He puts a hand earnestly on his chest.] Am I truly the one you had been searching for...?

[He carefully treads.]

[...

Something in Benedikta's confidence cracks, and there is the slightest furrow of her brow...]

The Phoenix...

[... that only deepens as his answer slowly sinks in.]

Do not take me for a fool. The Phoenix died thirteen years ago, during the Night of Flames.

[Joshua isn't in the habit of keeping his escape from death a secret any longer. And he weighs it in his mind the benefits of telling her the truth or not. Would it affect things here or at home? He isn't so sure. It's not like they're in a cosmic battle in this place. ... ~~And Joshua hasn't met Barnabas.~~ But he does have a hollow ache in the center of his chest where Ultima's darkness still slowly poisons his body.]

The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated. I had survived that night, although only barely.

[...]

Therefore if you truly have business with a dominant of fire, you may discuss it with me.

[A Dominant of Fire...

His wording choice is an interesting one, and while she is still reeling from the information, trying to sort it out in her head. But if the Phoenix did not perish in the flames that night, then—]

Who... Was it...?

[She utters the words aloud, the confusion written clearly in her eyes as she stares at him almost like she's just seen a ghost. Almost, were it not for the sharp furrow of her brow or narrowing of her gaze.]

The fucking Phoenix was my prisoner in Caer Norvent?

Edited 2023-08-28 02:24 (UTC)

[Joshua stands his ground but it's safe to say he feels slightly awkward. It was years ago for Joshua now but it seems to be fresher in her than in him.]

... Yes. And it is safe to say that your mission was unsuccessful.

[Sorry... About that. Sort of not really. Although he wonders how important these details must be in a place like this one.]

[Fucking excuse you...?

Blink and he'll miss that flare up of anger in her eyes when he strikes a nerve, but she manages to mask it easily enough with an arrogant laugh.]

I wouldn't say so. I still had a Dominant of Fire, did I not?

[Imagine what it might have been like if she had brought the Phoenix back to Waloed with her? What Barnabas might have thought of that? The once-thought-dead Dominant risen from the ashes...

But really, what importance do these details hold in a place like this? So while she will continue to dwell on that for some time to come, she will not let this opportunity pass her.]

How did you do it? If what you say is true, then the rumours of your death were blown wildly out of proportion. That, or you managed by the skin of your teeth.

[Joshua looks her steadily in the eye like he's about ready to fight her right here on the spot. She thinks she might have been able to capture one dominant of fire but Joshua is sure he would be able to escape her again.

But again... It doesn't seem like there will be a need to do any of that right here and right now. At least, he doesn't think she's about to jump him. He'll keep his guard up for now.]

... The latter, it seems.

[Although Joshua might choose to keep most details of how he lived from her.]

I am the Phoenix, while I hold considerable power in healing magic I cannot evade death. So while I walked a thin line, I managed to survive but as you said- by the skin of my teeth.

[Not that it would matter in the end... Unless he feared her ghost would come back to haunt him with such details.]

Do not worry. You have nothing to fear telling me.

[She lifts her hand, stares at her nails almost like she's bored of everyone walking on eggshells around her. Bunch of cowards, the lot of them.]

Besides, it's not like I do not already have my sources.

[Only mildly threatening.]

[He can't really be blamed for being on guard when she stabbed him in the shoulder once and also tried to kill Clive. Hoo boy, it makes things awkward.]

I see. Then anything else I might say you might already know.

[Meaning, maybe he won't say anything more. If she's savvy, which he is actually sure that she is, he's done talking for now.]

We are in a perilous new world, my lady. Whatever we might find here may be of more importance than details back home.

[Her eyes narrow at him.]

Yes, I suppose they will be.

[And then, the slightest quirk of her lip into a smile, a porcelain mask to hide the ire that's bubbling underneath.]

Do be careful out there, Phoenix. Our powers are not what they used to be.

[Joshua gives a quiet nod. There's a small respect hidden behind Joshua's expression and stance. A quiet understanding, perhaps. They both feel unsure about their eikon powers at the moment... ~~and how to deal with each other~~ The warning is something he'll take to heart.]

I will keep that in mind. Thank you. I shall take my leave.

[And with that Joshua will head out before things can get any worse at the moment.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

ii.a.

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