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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

[ Astarion disapproves. ]

Forget it.

[ this conversation is a lost cause!! He's heading back into town! Keep up paladin!! ]

[ Xenk approves, smiling. He follows Astarion with a notable spring in his step. Even if all he's done is piss him off.

You see, all Astarion has done is prove he's a good person. This is what they call banter, isn't it? Xenk is so glad he made a friend :) ]

[ This is not what friendship looks like! This is what disapproval looks like! Don't do this to him!

Also he's not making small talk just to spite him so there!! ]

[ Sucks to your asmr Astarion, Xenk doesn't like small talk either. He is going to follow Astarion back to the city and will gladly keep quiet until they need to split, that's the power of the world's awkwardest, kindest paladin.

But... he's supposed to try talking to people, right? That's how you make friends? Hm.

After about 3 full minutes of silence, Xenk speaks up. ]

Tell me about Baldur's Gate.

[ PERSUASION CHECK: FAILED. ]

Edited (made it engaging) 2023-08-23 01:21 (UTC)

[ damn very direct approach there my guy ]

What about it? Have you never been?

[ Despite what his character sheet may say, there's no way this guy's charisma is any good. ]

I have seen the outskirts, but I have not entered the city proper.

[ He pauses. Wow, he's gonna say something... unkind? ]

Large cities often bring politics, of which I have very little patience for.

[ Astarion barks out a laugh at that. There's definitely politics in Baldur's Gate! ]

That's certainly one way of putting it. Yes, there are plenty of politics in Baldur's Gate. It's particularly bad at the moment.

[ Isn't it always? Well, Xenk doesn't ask that, but that's what most would think of when they think of Baldur's Gate. That city can't seem to exist without some manner of crisis. Not that fighting Baahlspawn isn't right up Xenk's alley, but it's not the kind of place where you can just kill the bad guys and cheer for the good guys. ]

Your city faces crisis beyond crisis, yet politics persist.

[ Believe it or not, Xenk actually... sighs. He can't do politics! But also he doesn't want to seem impolite. ]

I mean no offense. There is an ease to the frontiers that one cannot find in the city.

Why should I take offense? You haven't said anything untruthful.

[ Astarion hesitates for a moment, like maybe that's all he's going to say. But then: ]

My relationship with the city has...changed, in the years since I was turned.

[ Xenk is quiet, considering. It's understandable -- at over 200 years old, a great many things must have changed for Astarion. Baldur's Gate is a den of vipers, everyone knows that. But to a vampire spawn with a cruel master, it must be... complicated. Like how Thay is complicated. ]

I imagine it must have. It is your home.

[ He says it like he understands -- well, at least the part about having a complicated relationship with home, at least. ]

It is, yes.

[ He says it like he's not quite sure. He seems to want it to be the case, though. ]

[ That's a feeling he knows as well. The Thay of his youth was not kind by any means, but he'd had his family. The Thay of today... it is unthinkable. But it carries the weight all the same. ]

What do you recall, when you think of it? If you wish to share.

[ Look at him, being polite! He's still gonna overshare. ]

Having lived for over a century feels... [ There really aren't words. But Xenk has a word for that too: ] Difficult. As a human, I was not meant to live so long. For an elf, it must seem all the stranger. For a vampire, even moreso.

Edited 2023-08-23 05:57 (UTC)

[ Astarion wants to tell him how returning after journeying through the Sword Coast felt like a blessing. How he could breathe more easily at home. But also how Baldur's Gate feels like a prison, and how Cazador's presence is everywhere. How for two hundred years he couldn't have left even it he wanted to. How strange it is for a place to be both of those things.

But he's only just met Xenk, and Xenk's approval isn't nearly high enough for all of that.

So instead: ]

There are elves far older than me.

[ He's out there with the 100k getting rejected on week 1... Which, yeah, is fair, all he's done is get disapproval. But even Astarion's deflection is a valued response to Xenk. ]

Indeed. As are there humans.

[ Wizards! It's always wizards. But that won't stop Xenk because he can't read (social cues.) ]

My own perspective of home carries the bias of youth. My memories of Thay are filled with death -- of watching my parents turn, and set their undead eyes against me. Yet it is where I remember their smiling faces, when at chance I am able to recall their faces at all.

Well, good news: You'll forget one day. And then you'll forget why it matters to try and remember.

[ His tone is light, as if this is a joke. An unpleasant irony to "look forward to." ]

That is not good news.

[ Hm. Which means Astarion is being ironic. Which means... ]

I've made you upset.

[ Not everyone exposits on their backstory immediately, but that's a lesson Xenk is going to just have to learn. ]

Oh, so you can understand rhetoric when it suits you!

[ He is so mad about this conversation. ]

I've already told you quite enough about myself, and that was under duress! I have no desire to simply tell my entire life story to a stranger because he thinks there is some moral good in sharing.

[ Now seems like a bad time to mention that he finds irony to be a weapon that harms its wielder. It's clearly harmed Astarion, so he must already know this. ]

So it seems.

[ There is moral good in sharing, but Xenk knows it can be difficult for some. Moreover, there's no moral evil in not wanting to share your secrets, so it's not as though Astarion is wrong.

Xenk is just so bad at talking. He'd hoped to come off as compassionate, but instead he hurt Astarion's feelings. ]

I have misspoken, and drawn your ire. [ He raises a hand, half-surrender. ] I apologize.

[ He learned something today! And that is to give Astarion space. Some people need space. ]

I will not ask you any further personal questions.

Good.

[ Good!!! He feels great about this interaction! He's so happy he got his way!! He definitely doesn't feel like an asshole now!!! Everything is fine!! ]

[ If he feels like an asshole, could it be that Astarion is a nice person, deep down? But nah, Xenk really didn't mean to overstep, and he appreciates the obvious boundary, for all that it took overstepping to spell it out for him.

Believe it or not, that's a good thing! Sure, he's apologetic, but he would hardly blame a kind person like Astarion for having hard limits. Xenk actually seems happy about this. Then again, he thinks Astarion's "good," is am honest assessment. ]

Know that my offer to assist you in procuring meals is an open one. Or should you require assistance in any means that are outside of your illicit skills.

[ He means lockpicking. ]

Unless you're capable of returning us to Baldur's Gate and sticking your radiant sword in a vampire, I don't need your help.

[ he can take care of himself!! Also he doesn't mean this. He knows Xenk can't do that, that this is an impossibility. ]

[ Challenge accepted. Xenk's eyes gleam with the commitment of a New Quest unlocked. ]

Though I know not how to return us to Faerûn, know that Baldur's Gate shall be my first destination. Your sire will pay for his sins.

[ He absolutely means that. ]

[ The Pale Elf: Return to Baldur's Gate and deal with Astarion's sire.

Where he had been angry before he just sounds deflated, now. Almost hollow: ]

Well, it's a nice sentiment, at least. But it'll take more than a holy blade to best him. Besides...[ he looks over at Xenk, sizing him up for a moment ] that Thayan curse might make you susceptible to his influence.

[ Astarion's words give him pause. It's true that his curse makes him closer to undead than not. It's an honest concern, one that Xenk himself has mulled over in his own mind for years. His Oath has guarded him from the worst of it, he's sure, but he hasn't faced the likes of Szass Tam himself, so who's to say what a powerful vampire with access to foul magic could do?

Moreover, Astarion just keeps being worried for his safety, which continues to prove that deep down, he's actually nice. So. Win-win. ]

Your concern is warranted. If his power lies in manipulation of the undead, then I must research the topic thoroughly. It avails me not to act recklessly, and endanger you further.

[ See, he's not totally stupid. ]

The last thing he needs is an enthralled paladin.

[ Astarion doesn't want to think about it, but he does. How torture could be taken to a whole other level with blades that flowed with the power of the very sun itself. How it would blind and sting and burn and Cazador would simply laugh.

Astarion blinks a couple times and shakes his head trying to clear it. He lies to himself and tells himself he's safe, here. At least for now.

When he speaks again, his tone is animated, glib. ]

This has been awful! You are terrible company, Xenk Yendar. Remind me never to bring you along in a party. You'd ruin all the fun.

Edited 2023-08-23 23:18 (UTC)

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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Renewing my spoiler warn + cw: torture

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