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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

[There is certainly a lot of questions that need to be asked and answered, but for now they have a problem to deal with. The doorman gives Tifa a curious look, then looks down at Red.]

["Huh? He's an animal, isn't he?" Red huffs back at him.]

Even if I am, I am under no one's ownership. I am my own master. And I know where my paws have stepped.

[The man stares, bewildered, before looking up at Tifa.]

[Why is the man looking at her!? Clearly, Red has proven enough that he is just like anyone else? He may not stand on both feet like all the other "animals" around here, but Tifa would argue he is far more intelligent and well-mannered than all of them put together.

So, she challenges the man at the door with her gaze, not saying a word besides letting her arms fold over her chest.

...

....

.....

Before he finally relents.

"Alright, fine. But if anything happens, it'll be on your head."

Tifa just rolls her eyes at him and beckons for Red to follow her, muttering under her breath as she walks past.]

So much for being neutral ground.

[FINALLY... Nanaki lets out an irritated huff, but finally is allowed in. He follows Tifa into the building, his ears flicking in annoyance.]

So it seems that most humans here still only care about appearances. I'm just glad he was willing to relent; any longer, and I might have had to resort to something more drastic.

[A good headbutt or two would set the man straight... right?]

[She can't help but laugh.]

And get yourself into actual trouble?

[Though she can't say she disagrees. A good headbutt or several would have definitely set the man straight. There are plenty of other good taverns around, but this really wasn't about that.]

How long have you been arguing with him? ... You must be starving.

[Because Shiva knows Tifa certainly is.]

It would have been worth it.

[He says it with a bit of a petulant huff. Truthfully, it would not have been worth it and he knows it. But he can be a huffy teenager around his friends.]

Hmph. Long enough; I could use a good meal.

[He casually ignores the odd stares the two of them get, walking up over to the bar.]

[They can stare all they want. Between the two of them, they could kick the ass of every person in this tavern, and Tifa knows it. So right up to the bar they stroll, and she leans over the counter to get the tavernkeeper's attention, who rushes over, stopping only when he sees Red.]

What did you have in—

[And Tifa pauses too, to glare at the burly man when he eyes him suspiciously.

"Wait. Who let you in?"]

—mind...

[Oh, now see, Nanaki doesn't like that; he's just coming down from his bad mood, and now this tavernkeeper's gone and rekindled it. He frowns at the man, ears angled flat.]

The man at the front let me in. Before you ask, I am no pet. And I'm not about to leave without having a meal first.

[He says all this with a careful flexing of his claws. Perhaps if he lets his anger show, the man will ask fewer questions.]

[Tifa sees that, and she makes no effort to stop him. If anything, she silently encourages him with a firm, thin press of her lips when she meets Red's eyes before she's looking up to the menu.]

We'll take your best steaks, please. Two of them.

[The tavernkeeper stares between the pair, brows furrowed in both confusion and some frustration, but he ultimately relents when neither of them appear to be backing down.

She sets several coins on the counter with a slap of her palm.]

And you can bring them to our table.

[As the tavernkeeper leaves, Nanaki snorts before lowering his hackles and shaking his fur out. But the sour look remains on his face.]

And this is why I prefer eating at your bar. At least there, I'm not questioned at every moment.

[What he'd give to be back in Edge right now... but instead he's in weird sailor town.]

[She's just going to lead him to a table close to the bar, but not without shooting the man one last harsh look over her shoulder. Her expression does soften as she deflates into a chair with a sigh...

...

But only for a moment before she hears that.]

My bar? [She slides up in her seat, confused.] ... You've never...

[And then... it hits her.]

You too, huh...?

[Huh? Nanaki blinks in confusion, looking up at her.]

Me too? What do you mean?

[Even if he's an animal, there's some pretty clear befuddlement on his face.]

[She might have been a little more confused about what he said had she not already run into Cloud and Zack—all these timeline mishaps really need to slow down.

With a sheepish laugh, she folds her hands on the table and looks across at him.]

You're a lot further along than I am. You probably don't even remember fighting some arbiter of fate, do you...?

[Just like Cloud.]

Further along..?

[What does she mean by that? But before he can ask further, she says a name that doesn't strike any memories in his head.]

Arbiter of fate..?

[Nanaki's brow furrows, and he glances to the side as he thinks. After a moment, he shakes his head.]

No, I don't... Tifa, I'm confused by all this. What do you mean further along?

[There's a pause, and she looks at him sheepishly.]

From the future...? Or from a whole other timeline... I don't know anymore.

[Judging by his reaction to the name—not that she really knows what it is, but it had been Red that explained it to them in the first place—she figures that maybe he followed the same path here that Cloud did.]

I-I know it sounds crazy, but... I don't really know how else to explain.

[It definitely sounds crazy. He has to shake his head to get all of his jumbled thoughts sorted out. How could he and Tifa not be from the same time? Or timeline, for that matter? He angles his ears to the sides as he thinks tail flicking beside him, before he looks up at her again.]

Then tell me; what is the last thing you remember? And does the word "Geostigma" mean anything to you?

Geostigma? [She tips her head in confusion.] No, but...

[Her thumbs fidget with one another on the table, but there is a pause just as she opens her mouth to explain when the tavernkeeper brings them two large, still-sizzling steaks with mashed potatoes on the side, mumbling something about animals that she politely ignores and waits until he's gone to continue.]

We fought... I don't know, some arbiter of fate?

[How does she even begin to explain that? But there was one thing that Cloud had caught onto that seemed to make him understand—]

We left Midgar, and were headed to Kalm. You, me, Cloud, Barret, and Aerith.

Edited 2023-09-16 03:44 (UTC)

[She hasn't heard of Geostigma, and hasn't been to Kalm? Not to mention she is talking about an enemy he doesn't know anything about. There's definitely some oddities here, but one thing's for certain; Tifa has no memory of the experiences they've had over the last two years. He closes his eyes and shakes his head in disbelief.]

This... this is hard to understand. But it does seem like you really don't know what's happened these last two years...

[Yes, he says years.]

Yeah... That's what I was afraid of.

[She picks up her utensils but doesn't dig into the steak just yet.]

Sounds like I'm the only one who remembers fighting that thing at all... Makes me wonder if it was even real.

[There's a dubious furrow in her brow because now she really is questioning the reality of her own memories. She had already been before, what with all these mismatched memories with Cloud that have come to light, but having two of them confirm it...?

She still feels weird talking about it... like this isn't something she should know at all, but...]

Can you at least tell me one thing?

Only you?

[Now that he thinks about it, Cloud had asked him some odd things on the boat... he had assumed it was due to his disorientation with arriving in this place. Was it because he had spoken to Tifa first, and learned about her predicament?]

This place... it's only getting more and more confusing...

[Nanaki frowns, trying to think of an answer for her, or say something to reassure her. But when she speaks, he looks up again.]

What is it you want to know?

[There are very few things that any of them can really say to reassure her right now—she may appear fine, but her insides are turning over themselves again. It's going to take some time...

Okay, well... there is one thing that might be able to...]

You mentioned something about my bar...

[It wasn't something she could bring herself to ask Cloud at the time, and perhaps she might never come around to doing so, but for some reason, she feels a little more comfortable asking Red.]

... Are we... happy?

[Nanaki is hesitant to answer some questions Tifa might have; not out of distrust, but because he's honestly not sure how Tifa would take it. A lot has happened between their journey to Kalm and the end of the Geostigma crisis, after all. He doesn't want to crush Tifa with an onslaught of knowledge about tragedies and near-death experiences they've all faced.]

[But this? This, he feels, warrants an answer. The corners of his lips turn upwards and his tail flicks.]

It's been hard, rebuilding after Midgar fell. But we have survived, and the trials we faced have made us stronger as a result. So, I would say that we are happy. And your bar is one of the few places I actually enjoy going to. It's not too loud, and the food is good.

[After Midgar fell...

Just what happened, she wonders... but she chooses to keep the questions to herself, because he at least answered the one that matters most, and it helps to lift a light smile into her expression.]

That's all I could ever hope for with the bar...

[Whether it was the old one, or the new one that she talked about building and has, apparently, done so far into the future.

With a small laugh, she leans over and brings a hand to her lips to shield it.]

Hope my steaks are still better than this place...

[Her hidden comment makes him hum, and while he doesn't reply outwardly, there is an upturn of his lips and an amused swish of his tail. He leans down to the steak before him and sniffs at it, before taking a bite, breaking off a chunk with his fangs and chewing it. He swallows it down, licking his lips before looking up at Tifa.]

Don't worry. Yours have no competition here.

[It's said with a flash of fangs that... could be a smile? Maybe??]

[It sure looks like a smile...! And unlike Barret, Tifa thinks that he should smile more.]

Who knows... maybe I'll get around to opening up my own place here someday, and you can have all the steaks you could ever want.

[A pipe dream, probably, but a girl can dream, right?]

[Nanaki chuckles softly at that, his tail flicking beside him.]

Tell me if you do. I'll work as your doorman... and do a better job of it than the one outside.

[Him? Still bitter about the whole ordeal? Nooo....]

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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this feels like a cute place to wrap 💜