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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] EXPLORING ELTRUT;

[It's weird to go from the sheer relief of defeating Aku to the hard deck of a ship in almost the blink of an eye but somewhat Ashi had done just that. Trying to scream up a time portal sure hadn't gotten her anything but a few strong looks and some swarthy pirate yelling at her to keep it down either.

Ashi was used to adapting to new situations now after traveling with Jack for so long too. Her first time coming out with her sisters when the seven of them were sent out into the world as assassins was troubling but she certainly hadn't felt it back then. It was all blood, violence and anger. Jack had taught her traveling could be a lot more fun and so now she's far more happy to view this detour as a new sort of journey, albeit by herself.

At the moment though she's pursing her lips, the phone clumsily tucked into the pocket of the far too big pants she currently wore. Her brow furrows as she looks over the map in her hand.]

Well, I didn't really have anything to reclaim actually.

[No chest? No chest.]

[II] TAVERN BRAWL;

[Without anything to go hunt down Ashi had devoted herself to helping others find their chests instead. One had lead to the tavern and the scent of cooked food was too good to pass up. Now she's at a table, her cheeks filled out like a hamsters when a man saunters over to her.]

What do you want to do with your life?

[Ashi blinks a time or two, still chewing with gusto as she takes that question in. Her chewing slows bit by bit until she finally offers:]

To help people?

[In the next beat the man swings his fist and in that moment Ashi dodges the swing without breaking stride in her chewing. Once she swallows her brow furrows in confusion.]

What? Was that the wrong answer?

[Another swing, another effortless dodge. Ashi is starting to look a little put out though, a frown tugging at her lips.]

I don't think I understand the question.

[III] SPICY SQUID;

[Ashi didn't have Jack's voracious appetite but she did love her some food. With her meal interrupted in the tavern she decides a snack can't hurt. The spicy squid sound intriguing and it's definitely hot but she's managing with just a wee bit of sweating.

Or maybe a lot. Either way she's thoroughly enjoying it when she spots something wriggling out of the corner of her eye and without a thought flips her fork around to stab whatever it is with the forks tines. Unfortunately she also puts those tines right through the countertop too! Thank goodness it was just one of the pieces of squid moving!

Now Ashi's sweating is more sheepishness than hot food. She laughs a little as she glances her neighbors way.]

Ahaha. Ha. ... Sorry.

[IV] WILDCARD;

[Feel free to drop any prompts you like here! PMs and plurk (goodluckstarfighter) are both open for plotting.]

[ The spicy squid is definitely hot, and still moving, but Toge is not that squeamish so he hasn't been too put out by that. He's feeling the heat, sweat trickling down the side of his cheek.

He's got his cursed marks on his cheeks on full display, because he's eating, but her stabbing the counter makes him startle a little bit and turn his eyes in her direction.

His eyebrows raise in askance. What was going on there? ]

[The silence is almost palpable. She sweats a little more.]

...

[Swallowing roughly she pulls the fork out of that poor piece of squid. It drops back onto the plate unceremoniously with a wet plop. Then she looks askance herself.]

Force of habit.

[No really.]

[ Unfortunately she seems to be the kind of person who finds silence uncomfortable. That's very incompatible with Toge.

He smiles though and waves his hand a bit. He puts a hand up to his mouth to form a barrier. ]

Salmon, salmon. [ He totally understands, even if she might not understand him. ]

[He doesn't look upset at least. Sure she doesn't get what he's saying but the fact that he doesn't seem upset rings through regardless. Ashi relaxes then and returns the smile before she digs back into her own dish.]

I wonder what makes them move? They aren't alive, that's for sure.

[She at least had the good graces to kill things before she ate them.]

[ That's a good question and the bite that Toge has on his fork writhes a little bit, but he bites into it and that's the end of that. He swallows and does the same gesture. Almost like he's hiding his curse marks, but that's not it - he's just watching his volume and the leaking of cursed energy. ]

Tuna mayo. [ Toge also shrugs for emphasis. Who knows? ]

[Ashi has no clue what tuna or mayo are but the shrug does the trick. He doesn't know anymore than she does.

Another tentacle writhes and Ashi makes a face at it, taking a moment to give it a good poking with her chopsticks before she finally picks it up and stuffs it into her mouth. Chewing on it sure seems to kill off the wiggling but it does nothing for the heat.]

Phew.

[She stops a moment to fan herself. She hadn't thought it was that hot at first but eating more of it kind of contributes to more heat.]

[ It's fine, it's just nonsense sometimes, his chatter words when he's expected to answer but it's not one of his general standbys.

Toge watches her fan herself and taps the table to get her attention. Then, with a challenging smirk he makes a point of eating another one.

He's a bit of a troll, isn't he... ]

[A bit, yes. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) Ashi was raised in constant competition with her sisters. Someone giving her a challenging smirk just seems to make her give them a curious look first -- and then she smirks back once he eats another.]

Okay, I see how this is going to go.

[Despite the sweat already trickling off of her Ashi deliberately plucks up another piece of squid and stuffs it whole into her mouth.

Challenge accepted.]

[ Alright, alright, alright! Now she's talking, this is fun. To his credit, he doesn't seem to be reacting too much but he does have sweat sliding down the side of his temple. Not entirely unaffected, then.

He meets her challenge, stuffing the next one whole in his mouth too.

Toge also, somewhat rudely, snaps his chopsticks at her, teasingly. ]

[Toge might be gently sweating but Ashi is looking like she went through a fight here. She's never eaten a lot of hot things before, not enough to build up a tolerance anyhow, and it's sure showing now.

She narrows her eyes a bit as she silently chews on her huge mouthful and snaps back at his chopsticks. Typically if one of her sisters had done that it meant a fight was incoming.]

[ Nah, not much of a fight beyond this little challenge and Toge slurps down another one. He looks like he's feeling it, his breathing picking up just a bit. It's just...so hot!

However, brat that he is, he rests his chin on his hand and his tone is 100% teasing. ]

Takana? [ How is she doing~? ]

[Ugh, that teasing tone. Ashi is sweating bullets here and he knows very well how she's doing.

She only breaks her furrowed brow stern look once she swallows. And that's because she immediately chugs a glass of water, let's go of a few heavy breathes and then thrusts her glass out to the man behind the counter. Sweat is pouring off of her and though the flush is retreating from her face the rest of her is on fire.]

More.

[... Her stern tone instantly drops to something more pleasant.]

Please.

[ Toge's response is to bite into another of the tentacles, sweat sliding down his nose.

Suddenly he leans forward, coughing, oh that hurts. That hurts so much more and he can't help but wipe his face only that makes his eyes burn.

Shit.

Well he's not teasing her now. ]

EEK!

[YUP, Kotori sure wasn't expecting that. Good thing she was in between bites of her own spicy squid challenge, that is NOT something you want to go down the wrong pipe. If her face wasn't flushed from the heat, it'd have blanched at that.]

A-ah... i-it's okay, ma'am...

[Oops. The look on the other woman's face makes Ashi reach out to pat her gently on the back.]

Force of habit. I didn't think the food would move though.

[Now she gives her plate a dubious look. It wasn't alive, she was pretty sure of that. Maybe?]

[A small, still-a-bit-tense nod.]

You'd think-- [COUGH!] The cooking would stop them but--!

[Another cough, okay, maybe talk a bit less. For her part, she'll just... pick up a tentacle with her chopsticks, whack it a few times against the bowl, and then chew very, VERY thoroughly. And wash it down with strong black tea and cream.]

Okay better...

[During Kotori's troubles Ashi considers her bowl again.]

I've run into a few things with these long arms before but I've never tried eating one of them.

[Ashi picks up the one she thoroughly stabbed with her own chopsticks and chews on it thoughtfully.]

At least it doesn't wiggle when you chew on it.

Y-yeah, there's that... Usually they should be dead already-- [COUGH!] o-or the heat should kill them...

[These are some seriously tough squid. Still, at least the texture is nice, and so are the flavors of the stir-fry past the heat. And thank god, Kotori is glad to have fresh rice again after a week at sea, and in this big a quantity.]

[Now Ashi gives Kotori a curious side eye.]

You okay?

[A brief nod before she swallows again.]

S-spice is all...! [QUICK, time to drink some more tea.] S'really good though...!

[Oof. Ashi is trying to nibble more than anything here, the spice being a little too much for her.]

Is it really?

[She can't help but doubt by the look on your face there, Kotori.]

[[Continued here.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

Ashi | Samurai Jack | Paladin

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