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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

[...What a strange girl. And why is she always bouncing around...?

He'll just watch her in silence before she's finally in, Valo walking in eagerly as Eustace follows behind. He'll also take a quick look around, noting other exits and the general atmosphere of the place.]

Hm... Works in our favor at least.

It's kinda... cozy, though, isn't it?

[There's something warmer about her expression as she says it, reminded briefly of Nibelheim with its general atmosphere. It's nothing like the run-down, gray places found all across Midgar. It has colour, life, and some warmth to it, too.

As she makes her way to the front desk, she still looks about, her eyes wide and round to take in as much of this place as possible.]

What if I just end up staying here...?

[Again he can't help but look at her a little strangely. For him, such a place is rather common so he doesn't really see much of import to it, but for her it seems as if she's truly stepped into a foreign world. It makes him briefly wonder what kind of place she's from, but it's very brief, just a passing thought before he just follows after her.

Truthfully, he already has a room, but might as well make sure there are still vacancies for her. If needed he could just give up his room.]

...Up to you.

[Another strange look because is she asking him???]

[...

She can't help laugh at his response, once more reminded of a certain spiky-headed blond chocobo.]

Is it, though? Can't exactly afford to stay here every night... but I guess it could be nice. [She pauses just before hitting the counter, the attendant waving to her to look down at Valo instead.] What do you think?

[Valo just tilts his head before he pants, wagging his tail.]

...Better if you don't take his advice.

But I suppose getting a job or work of some kind would also be needed. You'd have to find some place, or do whatever is on the MANTA board.

Don't have much of a choice about that, do we?

[She can't keep living on the kindness of strangers forever. She wants to be able to take care of herself... and, if she's going to be stuck here a while judging from what others have either said or don't know, then she's going to have to make the best of it... for now.

And, with Cloud, Zack, and Red here, perhaps it's better that she does. She has to take care of them too, after all...

Tifa slides over her paper from the typewriter, and the man at the front counter hands over a room key. Good timing, because it's one of the few they have left, he tells her. With her payment taken care of, she sidles right back up to Eustace and Valo.]

Haven't even had the chance to look at the jobs yet, but... if you're ever in need of someone...

[She knows that they've only just met, and that they are very likely in separate armadas, the offer still stands, not just for him, but for anyone like her who is just trying to live.]

[His eyes widen in surprise as he stares at her. ...Well this is...

...]

Sorry, but I'm not into that kind of service.

[He's going to misinterpret that very poorly.]

[That is a poor misinterpretation indeed, if it can even be called an interpretation at all. He's missed the mark—so far from it that it's just... nothing.

It takes a moment for it to finally click for Tifa, a questioning mumble under her breath, and when it finally does—]

Huh!?

[Her voice echoes through the entire lobby of the inn, and her face turns redder than the ripest tomato as she takes a very large, wide step back from him.]

That's not... I didn't—what!? How did you get that!?

[SHE WAS JUST BEING FRIENDLY???]

[...?

Did he misunderstand?

There's a small ripple of discomfort, but he remains standing where he is, Valo looking at them confused.]

...You were talking about jobs and if I ever "needed" someone.

[And they're at an inn and it's not the first time he heard something like that—well. His fault regardless, he sees that now.]

My mistake. Regardless, I don't have anything I could hire you for.

[Another misunderstanding probably, but he's already turning to head up to his room.]

Edited 2023-08-22 19:34 (UTC)

[When he starts walking, Tifa jogs to catch up to him, whirling around so that she puts herself in his path. Though she doesn't look angry, she does look just a touch annoyed.]

Do you assume all girls who are just trying to be nice and offer their help are 'for hire'?

[Look man, she doesn't appreciate being viewed that way. It was bad enough with the boys growing up, she isn't about to put up with it now.]

[.....]

No, and I apologize for the misunderstanding. But I've already been propositioned four times since arriving, each one saying something similar.

[ ... ]

Four times?

[Tifa raises a dubious brow.]

You mean actually propositioned four times, or you thought you were being propositioned four times?

Actual.

[To be honest, he wish he had been mistaken.......and his look of disgust makes that clear.]

But you can believe whatever you want.

[Not like he takes any pride in that...nor is he going to tell her it's not even the first in his life. Not that it happened often, thank gods, but his world and this world aren't really so different.]

And I hope you were more subtle about it than you were with me.

[Tifa tilts her head at him in a more scolding manner.]

You can't just assume that everyone who offers you a helping hand is out to get you—!

[Just.

Going to give her a look.

...]

Right.

[He's not really going to argue. One, not worth it. Two, he was in the wrong this time. However—]

You should also be more careful with how you approach and phrase things.

[—he's just going to do the same thing to her.]

If I of all people could make that misunderstanding, can only assume others far worse would, too.

[If he, of all people...

That's pretty presumptuous of him to say, but she'll bite her tongue on that one.

She does deflate just a little bit, some of that initial frustration fading, but it doesn't diminish her frown.]

Well then, I'll take care of them in my own way. Lucky for you, you don't seem like one of them.

Neither do you, but looks can be deceiving.

...In any case, it is true that I was at fault, so I apologize.

[She huffs the tiniest huff, hands falling to her hips.]

Apology accepted.

[But there is a look of don't do that again, and ask first before he assumes—]

Anyway. I'm up on the second floor.

[DON'T TAKE ANYTHING FROM THAT, EUSTACE—]

[............

He really looks like he wants to say something, but he just lets out a small breath.]

Then goodnight.

[NOPE. NOT TELLING HER WHICH FLOOR HE IS. He's just going to start walking off. Again.]

[This is what she gets for trying to make friends with people, isn't it? With Corsairs, specifically?

So, when he utters his farewell to her, she only sighs at first—that one is for him—while giving Valo a smile when he looks at her before trotting off after Eustace.]

Goodnight...?

[As if she didn't think him brusque and abrasive before...

But she simply shrugs and heads in the other direction to the stairs because she doesn't need another awkward goodbye on top of that one.

At least she'll be gone long before he even leaves his room in the morning, only so that she can avoid bumping into him again.]

[And to Tifa's fortune... Eustace will have basically forgotten what transpired, not even thinking about her as he takes Valo out for another day around town. He's mostly interested in learning more about the town, what information he can about the other leviathans and the armadas, and of the world in general. And the more he learns, the more confused and a bit concerned about it he is. It's fortunate that nothing pressing is happening in his world at the time he was sent here, but that doesn't stop his worries.

But he'll just have to make do for now and look into those treasure map pieces...

...Why does it sound like the sky map pieces of his world??

Eventually day turns to evening and after picking up a few missions to do later, Eustace leads Valo to find some place to have dinner. But a man accidentally bumps into him and even almost trips over Valo, making the poor dog yelp as he scrambles to get out of the way and Eustace frowning. Of course it was surely an accident, but... Ugh, he reeks of alcohol, no wonder.]

Hey, watch it.

[A small warning wouldn't hurt. Normally. But when the man turns and sees both him and Valo, he's suddenly screaming for dear life and pleading for mercy.

...?

...............????

Of course Valo is concerned and tries to approach, thinking there might be something ailing the poor man. Unfortunately this does little to help, and the man just scrambles and runs. Eustace is ready to leave it, but Valo barks and runs after, pulling the leash out of Eustace's slackened hand.]

—Valo!

[And so, Eustace is now pressing his palm against his forehead as he stares down at the trembling man crying and huddled up against the wall of a small alley. Should he be grateful that there's no one around? In any case...]

...For the last time, I'm not a werewolf and my dog is not trying to hunt you—tsk forget it, this is useless. Come, Valo.

[But Valo is being stubborn!! This man clearly needs help!!! And now Eustace is glaring daggers at the man. Sure he could just pick Valo up and deal with his concerned whining, but this is really ridiculous.]

Get up.

[...Needless to say, this will not look good to anyone who may happen to pass by.]

Edited 2023-08-24 03:26 (UTC)

[Another day gone by, another day spent getting the lay of the land, gathering as much information as possible. She would likely meet with Cloud, Zack, and Red later to discuss their findings, but for now...

She's broken up enough tavern fights today over a stupid map than she'd care to admit, and she's ready to fall onto her bed at the inn and let sleep take her. Even back when Seventh Heaven was in its prime, she never had to deal with that much, and she's not even the owner of the Minstrel and Cask. She felt bad for them, and decided to help out where she could, starting with giving that map trickster a good scolding.

Whether that did any good, however, remains to be seen. In the morning.

And she's well on her way back when she hears that screaming and crying in the alley up ahead, and her instincts kick in faster than she can think. Whoever it is, they sound afraid, and Paladin or not, this isn't about being an upstanding citizen or upholding laws—it's about making sure that the people here are safe.

"HEEEELLLPPP!!!"

She doesn't recognize Eustace right away in the dark shadows of the alley, instead focusing on the man that's shaking as he huddles up against the wall, and she dashes forward, ready to shove Eustace aside when she finally reaches him.]

You're scaring him—!

You think I don't know that?

[Just a harsh retort back until he notices it's—]

Tsk, you again. Great.

[Normally he wouldn't be so rude, but he's already annoyed.

Right, forget this. Tifa can look after the guy, Eustace is going to step in and grab Valo because this has gone on way longer than it should have (okay about ten minutes total from the bump to the chase to the last few minutes here, but that's ten minutes too long).]

[Rude!?!?

She looks to the man on the ground, then at Eustace as he turns to walk away, but before he can take even a single step, a wall of flames erupts across the ground. They aren't high, nor are they very hot, but she hopes it's enough to stop him because despise it as she might, she does think she has some duty to uphold, and not because she's a Paladin.

Except the man screaming on the ground at the flames isn't really helping her cause.]

What did you do!?

Edited 2023-08-24 14:09 (UTC)

[The flames do surprise him—and Valo, who yelps and scrambles a little in his arms. So he's only going to turn and glare at her, the shadows cast by her flames behind him not helping the poor man on the ground.]

Nothing. He bumped into me and tripped over Valo before screaming at us for no reason and running off. Valo chased after him thinking something was wrong and clearly there is.

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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