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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

"Riftfarers"... seems as though we are not the only outsiders to arrive here, then. [ Which could mean one too many things. Yet if he had arrived here... who is to say others from his own star did not do the same? There were still too many unanswered questions which, thankfully, his newest companion seemed willing to share.

He contemplates for a moment while turning upright one of the larger barrels, it's contents still slowly spilling off from the side. Not like he could smell any worst at this point. ]

I've gathered the "how", but the "why" still escapes me. Not sure if they even know the reason.

The natives know enough about our situation that they aren't surprised we showed up at random. They've been fishing people out of the sea with practiced ease. [ If people from the same world are showing up, they may not end up with the same crew. So looking around this ship may only yield a few familiar faces.

Velvet watches him move the barrel, then shifts to find a bucket large enough to catch what might fall out. At least then the crew won't be too pissed that they wasted more during the cleaning. ]

Apparently, there's some artifact out there in the world that's responsible for bringing us here. Only problem is they don't know where it is. We'll have to search for a map to find our way to this artifact in order to put a stop to it.

[ He listens closely as his brows furrow together in thought. There was a vague remembrance of some sort of bottle, but after that... ] Having outsiders do their dirty work, then.

[ Clive will nod his thanks at the bucket before moving to the next one and repeating the motion, being a bit more careful this time to not let as much alcohol slip onto the floor. ]

... And yet you seem fine with it.

[ A small sound of amusement at his words. Nice to see someone around here gets it. ] We're certainly the ones most motivated to look for it. I doubt the natives care to leave, and clearly no one else brought here before us has found it yet.

[ No sense making the crew even more angry about the wasted alcohol. Plus, that means less to clean up. ]

I have someone I need to kill back home. So if I have to play nice and go along with this treasure hunt, then that's what I'll do. Once I'm able, I'll get my own ship to command.

[ And by "get", she means steal ]

[ Ah. That's certainly something he understands. He knows the motivations and what drives people to kill, and although he is quite past that point in his life, he would never deny anyone the need to fulfill their own obligations.

There's a knowing nod on his end. ]

Then we best get you back as quickly as possible. Consider me an ally until that time comes. [ There's a small sound of amusement on his own end. And though not quite a smile, the corners of Clive's lips do lift slightly. ]

Clive, and you?

[ One day they may come to realize just how similar their reasons for revenge are, and the differences. Her brother didn't come back the same Clive's did. A power hungry being wears his face now.

Clive's words earn him a skeptical look. ]

Not the usual reaction I get from most people. Why would you help me? [ Velvet knew Rokurou and even Eizen's motive, the witch just seems to be looking for a fun show. But she doesn't understand Clive yet. ]

Velvet.

[ There's a slight pause to his response as he glances down, his fingers tightening their grip on the barrel he was holding. ]

I know what it means to live a life solely for revenge. How it drives a person. I won't stand in the way of that.

[ It was a hard, grueling life, but it was the only one he knew. And although his revenge did not end up quite as he expected it to... he at least was able to come to terms with it. Something he hoped Velvet would, too.

Clive nods in acknowledgment to her name, before a voice calls out from the other side of the room.

"Are you finished yet!? Hurry yer asses up!!" ]

[ Velvet watches his reaction, how he holds on to that barrel and knows that feeling well. Revenge is her entire being now, in more than one way. It has changed who she is inside and out. That negative feeling consuming her until every fiber of her being is soaked in anger and hatred.

It does drive her, so long as she can kill Artorius, and stop the being masquerading as her brother - Velvet is willing to give up her life. She plans on digging as many graves as it takes to accomplish that.

A corner of her mouth turns up in a smirk. ] I'd say that I appreciate that, but I think you are only too aware that I wouldn't let anyone stand in the way anyway.

[ But she does appreciate it. Everyone joined her group for different reasons, but they all had other things to live too. There is no coming to terms with it for her, though. Only accepting what she has to do in the end.

When a voice of a crew member calls out, Velvet's gaze sharpens. ]

We'll be done when I say we are, and you'll thank us for the cleanest storage room this place hasn't seen since the day this damn ship was built!

[ Her response to the crewmates earns Velvet a low chuckle. Surely they would have more time to discuss her life outside of this ship, if she was ever willing to share, but right now there seemed to be a task more important at hand.

She seemed determined, so why should he not do the same?

Torgal in the meantime is happy to watch from a distance, being mindful of any of the pungent liquid on the ground. He'll stay put from the outside of the room as Clive repositions the last barrel before standing to his full height with a stretch. ]

Quite the grueling undertaking you've given us. But I agree— I'll see to it that it gets cleaned. [ There's no embarrassment about cleaning or taking orders. He's been through far worse than a little tidy up job. ]

[ They're lucky she didn't threaten to eat them. Something she already has done since arrival. Can't use the same threats over and over, it'll get old and lose effectiveness - until she actually does it.

If there's one thing that Velvet has hung onto, it's her passion for cleaning.

The wolf is smart to stay out of the way, both for the sake of not getting alcohol on him or spreading it around. Velvet is careful to go over everything to ensure that nothing escapes her notice.

With their words, footsteps move away from the door, quicker than they approached. He may have been someone who had to deal with Velvet earlier. ]

They should have thought about securing their liquor better, since they're aware that people like us could show up anywhere on the ship.

Heh. [ There's a small, breathy chuckle as he listens to the footsteps fade before turning to give Velvet a genuinely curious look. ]

You're right. I only hope your arrival was less... eventful.

[ She gives a small shrug over it, and his curious look. If he wants to know, he can ask. ]

I didn't break anything, but I may have threatened the closest members of the crew. [ Yes, Velvet doesn't have a visible weapon and is literally wearing rags, but she doesn't need either to make people afraid of her. ]

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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