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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

[ The way Fenris speaks, it occurs to him he really dodged the proverbial arrow that he didn't need to get inked up to keep the tadpole's magic that lets him out in the sun work. A wild thought if he's ever had one but there at is. It hadn't occurred to him that there was more to lose.

But of course there always is. ]

Of course we're being toyed with.

[ story of his fucking life, honestly. ]

I just don't understand how so many people can go through with this so -- so willingly. [ he becomes more animated as he goes on. He was subdued at first, but now he's expressing himself. Frustration. Resentment, at what it must be like to have the luxury of being so godsdamned naive. ]

If the tattoos can unlock magic they must themselves be magic, ergo they could have any amount of horrible side-effects.

[ he's not paranoid you're paranoid ]

Look, all I'm saying is I'm not about to submit myself to potentially enthralling magic for the sake of a couple cantrips.

[Fenris watches the man become more and more animated as he speaks, how he says nothing that Fenris doesn't agree with. Well mostly, he's not entirely the man means when he speaks of cantrips, but from context it sounds magical in nature.

Was this man a mage? He watches him more closely--

Though, were he a mage, would not he rather get the tattoo and become a mage once more than be so skeptical of the situation? Or was he scared of what kind of shackles might come from subjugating himself to the means of magic this place allows?]

That is my concern, what shackles might accompany this marking to allow us our abilities. I do not wish to willingly subjugate myself to another without ample cause..

[His voice is curt before he pauses. He gave his loyalty to Hawke, willingly followed them into every situation, even those that were against his beliefs, but.. this was another matter entirely.]

I am still plenty capable with a blade, merely.. at a disadvantage.

[And being in an unknown place, by unknown means, with an unknown person pulling the strings... well that disadvantage feels like a vulnerability. What if they disarm him again, he would not have his abilities, but--]

And what's to say they cannot just take it away as they see fit?

[ Fenris's words certainly seem to strike a chord with him. Or maybe a nerve. They're of the same mind on this one. Astarion has no desire to trade one master for another. ]

All the more reason to force us to "play nice," I suppose. Take the very thing so many find necessary.

[ So why the hells hadn't they taken his ability to go out in the sun? Was the tadpole just stronger than they were? Or was it just sneakier? Gods he hates this. ]

[Exactly that, Fenris does not know this man but there was a similar mindset about their situation and that makes him feel less paranoid. So man seemed to just accept this fate, accept this without questioning or complaint--

He didn't understand how people could allow themselves to be flock to an unknown master.]

Indeed. [Yet, he finds himself looking at the parlor again.]

Yet, I still find myself at a loss if I wish to risk a collar for my full capabilities, however much they are worth.

[A pause.] Perhaps with time, after I see if anyone else suffers for their rash decision.

[ There's this weird feeling that he gets from this. Like he should offer to help? This man? But that was ridiculous. No one has ever helped him, and he hasn't helped anyone else before. Why start now? ]

That does seem to be the most prudent course of action.

[ Though, really, he'd prefer not to have any collar. Regardless of if others find that theirs fit well. ]

[Well, that was his choice, to not get it til he can see the affect it has on others, until he can understand it better. Right now the lyrium abilities were not worth it, not if they were at the whim of some unknown.]

I am Fenris, by the way.

[He gives a nod before turning away from the parlor and facing the other fully, a physical representation of the decision he just made.]

Edited 2023-08-22 00:12 (UTC)

Astarion. I would that it were under better circumstances, but it is a pleasure to meet you nonetheless.

[ He'll probably come over here and fret another day, too, but he's given up on trying for today, at least.

He can give Fenris a better look over now that he's facing him. Fenris is quite attractive (is that a bit vain of him? oh well) so he doesn't mind lingering with him, though, still, it's hard not to be curious about the scars. Especially given the adamancy of his words and the clear references to servitude. ]

Shall we quit this place? Neither of us seems to have any business left here.

Indeed, let us on our way from here.

[Getting a better look at Astarion, he cannot help but notice how pale the man is, his skin, hair, the color of his eyes. Almost as if the man has never known a day in the sunlight. It makes him wonder at that, if there is a reason behind it that connects to the man's own convictions about being enthralled or under the service by whatever has whisked them away here. There was a kinship in their stances that makes him wonder..

He doesn't linger long on the thought just yet as he steps away from the parlor and towards the tavern. He has nothing else to gather and some wine or ale sounds like a nice way to cope with a bad situation.]

Care for a drink? Or do you have other business to attend to?

Well I certainly wouldn't turn down a drink.

[ Somehow the way he says it makes drink sound like it's something more, but that' also just how he talks. He follows as they head to the tavern, which is at least close. Time to buy some drinks and let them go to waste! ]

Maybe you can tell me a bit about where you came from.

[ Usually he'd "your home" but something about it feels wrong. ]

[Fenris notices the tone, but is starting to think that's just how this man speaks, as if everything is on the verge of an innuendo or has double meaning. Not that he knows that there is double meaning to it, that the drink the man is about to waste money on is not the kind he actually wants.]

And you about where you originate.

[It feels odd to talk about his world, about Thedas, to someone who might know nothing about it. An area where one might hail from, sure, but an entire world? That's bonkers.]

I am interested to hear more about.. other places. [World? Places? Stars? He's not sure what to call it.]

That seems like a fair exchange.

[ he's not sure how good he is about describing faerun but he likes the sound of his own voice so he'll manage. ]

Are there dragons where you're from? I've found that to be a useful point of reference.

[That's good, because Fenris doesn't talk as much as the other man is seems, so if he wants to do the heavy lifting, then by all means.]

Ah.

[A pause.]

There are places without Dragons? Then yes, I have killed a number in fact.

We also have dragons. But I haven't killed any.

[ At least, not yet.

They enter the tavern and Astarion picks a table for them out in a nice corner--somewhere quiet. He orders a glass of red wine and offers to pay for whatever Fenris is having. And then after that: ]

Places like this are common, where I'm from. I live in a city on the harbor called Baldur's Gate. There's lower and a higher city and a massive fortress between it and the rest of the wilderness. Wyrm's Crossing--named for the dragons, of course.

[ Pretty standard fantasy setting! Probably most of those words could describe Kirkwall also. ]

The population comes from all over. Elves--is that what they call people like us where you're from?-- [ he gestures to one of his pointy ears to....make his...point.... ] are just as common as any other race. We've humans and tieflings and dragonborn, half-orcs and halflings, dwarves and gnomes.

Where I was leaving before my.. undesired arrival here, I was also in a port city, Kirkwall. Your Balder's Gate does not sound entirely dissimilar to it. [Hightown, Lowtown, Darktown, all of that. There was a similarity there that he cannot deny.

Honestly, other than a few races he mentions being foreign to Fenris, much sounds not entirely dissimilar. Good, then this was someone from at least somewhat of a familiar place even if entirely unfamiliar.

How confusing.]

Elvhen or elves yes, [a nod] is what we would be called. Humans and dwarves are familiar to me and where I am from, though none of what else you speak of. Of the races, we have Qunari as well, though little else in terms of people.

So common enough touchstones. Some differences aside. At least that makes it easier. It would be so strange to try and explain all of it otherwise.

[ he is just gravitating towards other fantasy lads. But that's obviously not why he gravitated towards Fenris. ]

So what do you do, besides apparently killing dragons?

[ the end of the sentence has a lift to it as if he's extolling Fenris's heroic deeds. ]

[It was relieving to be around someone that had some familiarity with the kind of world Thedas is, even if they were not actually familiar with each other's actual worlds.

The next question is easy to answer, and you will really like it Astarion:]

Hunting down and killing slavers. [He says it with the utmost nonchalantness, clearly being entirely honest and forthright about it, without any shame for the matter.]

And yourself?

[ His initial thought is to say something sarcastic. Praise Fenris for his nobility, no different than Tav deciding to stick their nose in everyone's business.

But that dies off quickly. Because unlike Tav, Fenris isn't just an interloper. Fenris has the scars to prove it. ]

Oh? For revenge? Or are you just "doing the right thing"?

[ one of them is way sexier, he is just saying ]

[Ah, he notices how his question goes unanswered, but for the moment he lets it go, finding himself curious about the man's question. Because he can hear the quotation marks around doing the right thing. Part of him thinks that would be the wrong answer.

Luckily, Fenris doesn't really care about the right or wrong answer.]

Can it not be both? I have every intention of destroying the Tevinter Slave trade, for myself as much as others.

[Maybe more for himself than others. It's not like he's altruistic about it, like he's out here doing more for slaves than killing their captors and freeing them. The rest of their freedom is up to them.]

Make them get on their own knees to scrub their floors.

[ Tevinter. He recalls the name from the necromancer, Dorian. Well it stood to reason that if this place brought multiple people from Faerûn they'd bring multiple people from other places. Truthfully, he didn't really care where Tevinter's power came from but it sounds like maybe Dorian didn't have a great grasp of how the world works. Something to know for later, he supposes. ]

It looks like they did more to you than make you scrub their floors.

[ this is energy he would hate to have turned on him but he's allowed to be nosy when it comes to other people?? That's logic. ]

Much more.

[He flexes his fist and feels the ache of his markings without the distinctive hum of power they also offer. Just the pain.

A couple years ago he would have spilled more, but with time and some healing and friends who treated him like any other.. well, he doesn't speak of his slavery as freely as he used to, realizing it was his to share as he sees fit.]

And what is it that you do? Other than not kill dragons? [There's wry lilt to the tone.]

[ there's a moment where he's clearly deciding whether he wants to tell the truth -- well, at least, a partial truth. A common ground. But he's so cautious. The anxiety about telling might even be palpable.

He finally settles on:]

I've recently taken up adventuring. [ the last word has a hint of irony, a touch of distaste. But also, the sense of "can you imagine? Me? Sleeping in a camp?" ]

Edited 2023-08-25 20:48 (UTC)

[Fenris gives him that moment, noticing that the man seems to be debating with himself on what to say. There seems to be an anxiety there, so he doesn't push, just lets the man come up with whatever he wants to share without comment on how long it takes.

An eyebrow hikes up at what Astarion does say because.. well he doesn't seem much like the adventuring type, especially with how he says it. And honestly... Fenris is going to say as much:]

Really? You don't seem the type... But I suppose it takes all kinds. [He wonders what he did before that, but with how reticent he was to share, he chooses another question.] Do you adventure with companions or on your own?

Edited 2023-08-25 21:40 (UTC)

Companions. With varying degrees of desire to save the world as opposed to embark on a more personal quest.

[ See? Revenge or doing the right thing. ]

A rather strange group in all. Were in not for our rather aligned circumstances at present we probably wouldn't have given each other the time of day.

Ah, I can understand that.

[He takes a drink from his own red wine, not minding it's poor quality in comparison to what he was drinking in the mansion. In fact, he almost prefers it because it was never meant for Danarius, it was the kind of poor quality wine he would get from the Hanged Man.

He liked it.]

Before arriving here, the group of companions I was with were similar.. all of us different enough that had we not Hawke to keep us together we would likely never have spoken.

It's funny how all it takes is one person like that.

[ Astarion looks down at his drink (which he hasn't touched, naturally), and thinks about Tav. They certainly sounded similar to this Hawke, at least in terms of charisma.

He doesn't want to tell Fenris about himself. He doesn't want to tell anyone about himself. But some part of him desperately longs to be seen. ]

I'm not in it to save the world.

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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