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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

[Exceedingly complex is something he's heard often about magics, especially the more dangerous ones. He wasn't stupid, this historian was talking about something very dangerous.

He doesn't like dangerous magics.

Really doesn't like them.]

I see, then this item not only accomplished such dangerous magics, but with multiple people..

[He looks around, seeing a few others dressed like him, seeing a few others looking around confused.

Fenris is not thrilled by this.]

[ G'raha doesn't like this either, really. At least he doesn't like the idea of an object being either imbued with magicks capable of such feats. Or perhaps it is some sort of technology? Either way, it doesn't matter. Something that can do this would take an extreme amount of aether or energy or some kind of source. ]

Yes. Hale and whole as well, physically at least. The disconcerting part is the energy required. Whatever the source may be, it would need to be in vast amounts.

[ He shakes his head then. Hands on hips with a sigh. G'raha realizes that there is no point in theorizing. Not until they are able to actually find the object in question. ]

Regardless... We are heading to a port and your personal items can be found. If you should have arrived with any, naturally.

[The thing about that statement that is most disconcerting to Fenris is how in Thedas the most powerful magical fuel would be blood or the Fade. Both of which are terrible options that can lead to terrible things.

He's not a fan that a device might be capable of blood magic and how many lives might have had to be used to do it.

But he keeps this to himself, it might be different here, he is still trying to grasp that he's not in Thedas, let alone anything else. These are magics that are not like home, yet this man who is not like home is familiar enough with them.

Looking down at himself--]

I did not start in rags no, nor do I have my sword any longer, if that answers your question.

[ Even G'raha would likely balk at what has been done in the name of magic in Thedas. Thankfully, it doesn't operate the same way for his own star. Aetherial manipulation comes rather naturally to most of the Spoken races and even many of the other creatures of the land. One's ability to perform magic is limited to how well they can channel aether.

But he is also not a fan of some kind of artifact that has the ability to do this on such a grand scale. It worries him, knowing what he does about the Allagan Empire and how they had been able to manage their own triumphs. ]

Aye, that it does. Shall we go about attempting to find them? They could well be here on the ship, same as mine. Others have received a map with the location of their own belongings etched upon it.

[He looks at the cat-man and arches an eyebrow at being offered help so readily, yet he sees no reason to refute the help. So with a pause he nods once, slowly, accepting the "we" that the other man speaks with.]

And where might one get this map? I've yet to see one for myself.

[Fenris has only just woken up, he's not yet seen the typewriter or gained his map, but if this guy knows where is it, he will hesitantly follow.]

I would most like to be reunited with my sword. [He feels naked without it.]

Entirely understandable. Rarely is there a moment that I do not travel with my own weapon.

[ In other words, only when he is inside the Annex or some other building. When he is reading or doing some research.

He's moving along the ship's deck, tail swishing back and forth. At the very least, he seems to know his way around it fairly well. G'raha is going to lead them both below deck to a room with that typewriter. ]

Ah here we are.

Thank you. [He gives a nod as he steps into the room, there is crewmember there who quickly explains how this strange device works and what to do.

Taking a moment to stare at the strange device untrusting, he finally hunt and pecks his name out before the typewriter takes over and quickly finishes everything else that needs to be typed, as well as producing the map needed.

He looks at the paper in his hands with a faint difficulty with how his brow pinches:

Fenris - Unshod
Corsair
Cabin 8
Apartment 24

Taking both the paper and the map, he steps out of the room to the Historian once more.]

The map looks as if on the boat itself. [He shows it. Definitely below decks, in a storage room.]

[ And G'raha waits, of course. A little by the door as to not crowd anyone. He's not going to interrupt the explanation or anything of that sort. Honestly he's not doing it for the thanks or recognition of it either. G'raha simply... Helps. There is little reason not to when they are all in this situation. The natural thing to do here is to help out one another.

Fenris approaches G'raha once more and he takes a look at this map with a nod. ]

My own belongings were found in a similar place. Fortunate, really, for I know where it is we need to go.

Then it is your lead I shall follow.

[He nods as if to say "after you" but really he is avoiding mentioning that he does not know how to read very well and there are words on the map that are unknown to him.

So, he instead chooses to follow G'raha's. It also makes him aware that he has not introduced himself, quite the faux pas.]

I have been remiss in not introducing myself, I am Fenris.

Thank you, then, for your continued trust.

[ G'raha chuckles. It's not actually sarcasm at all. He truly does mean it. Considering the tone he had been met with? The fact that they are strangers from different worlds? It's understandable, truly.

With that said, he begins to head towards the stairs. ]

Well met, Fenris. [ He takes no offense. The Miqo'te could have introduced himself as well but didn't. ] G'raha Tia is my name.

[HMMMMMMMM Trust might be a strong word.

He follows anyway, surprised that this man thinks he trusts him after such a short period of time.]

A pleasure. If you are a historian, are you then not a mage? You seem well versed in strange magics.

[He is being cautious, trying to not not jump to a conclusion when he might not have the facts, but he does seem to know a lot about strange magics and carries a staff. Both typical signs of a mage.]

[ Fenris is following him around. That requires a degree of trust! The question, however, has G'raha's tail moving about. He seems to pause, just for a moment. ]

Aye, that I do. More out of necessity than anything else.

[ In order to save a timeline. To undo something that should never be allowed to come to pass. ]

To better answer your question, "mage" is a skillset, not an occupation. It wasn't even one I dabbled with until recently.

[That is an answer he can appreciate, someone who does magic because of necessity rather than pleasure. To do magic out of pleasure would be something that could easily get out of hand and lead someone to the embrace of a demon or lured into blood magic.]

I see. It is not an occupation for many back where I am from, more a.. designation as not all people are capable of magic and those who are would be called a mage or apostate if they are not of a circle.

[ "Apostate" huh? That certainly sets a tone. The tips of G'raha's ears perk, as he comes to some understanding here. He'll make no assumptions, but that's probably why this Fenris had approached him with a certain tone. ]

As a historian, I would love to ask more question. If you're amenable, of course.

[ And perhaps at a time after they have settled into their situation a little more. There is a lot going on after all. ]

Most races upon my star are capable of magic or, rather, some form of aetherial manipulation. Aether is merely the energy present in all things. Magic is the act of being able to channel said energy.

[Sure does, doesn't it?

He listens to the explanation of magic and his brow crinkles in dislike of it. Everyone can use some level of magic? This Aetherial Manipulation? That sounds horrifying to him and his understanding of magic. But so far G'raha seems a.. reasonable person, so he's willing to extend a level of wanting to know more before he judges, though it is hard.]

And I would be curious to learn more about this.. aetherial manipulation and if it differs from the magics I know. Another time then perhaps.

[ G'raha pauses in front of a door. One of many storerooms of the ship, yes, but it should be the correct one according to the map. He turns towards Fenris with a smile and a nod. Naturally he would be more than happy to have further discussions. There are so many questions. G'raha is very interested in the other worlds that are present here. ]

'Tis not my area of expertise, but I know enough. Mayhap by then I might provide a more practical explanation.

Nor is it mine.

[He knows about magic, but the finer details were not something he was educated on. But with a shrug of one shoulder, he moves into the store room to start looking through boxes and chests to find his stuff.]

If it is safe enough, magic is dangerous and should not be used idly.

Ah.. Haha. I suppose not, no.

[ Well. Magic can be dangerous, yes. But G'raha would argue that this isn't always the case. He's just a little awkward because.

Ahem. This is a man that had used a Float spell to reach the tops of the shelves to get books and research materials.

Idly indeed. ]

[G'raha! Don't tell Fenris that.

Finding the chest that contains his gear, the first thing he does is pull out a sword that is nearly as big as he is tall and wide, holding it carefully as he looks down the blade. It doesn't flare to life like it would if he had access to his lyrium markings, but he sees the familiar grooves and gouges from battles fought with it. This is his blade.

Setting it to rest leaning against a nearby barrel, he starts to pull off his shirt without a care for his company so he can pull on his armour.]

[ LOOK. HE IS SHORT AND... The mammets would get on him when he started to climb the shelves. This really is the only solution!

At first G'raha recovers long enough for his ears to perk and his tail to curl in curiosity. It would appear that Fenris has found his belongings! Wonderful! BUt then it becomes clear what is going on and oh. Oh!

Which has the fur on his tail bristling and his face going red. He's definitely now turning around, flustered and fussing with his own equipment. ]

[Fenris fully strips out of his rags and puts on his armour, checking some of the lacing and buckles, but it fits perfectly as always, meaning it was his original set. Still, he feels off put by how they saw fit to strip him down and put him in rags only to make a game of finding his actual belongings.

It seems pointlessly contrived.

Looking over at G'raha, he sees the man has turned away to fuss with his belongings, likely giving Fenris unnecessary privacy. It was still appreciated all the same.]

Thank you, for leading me here. I've never been skilled at reading maps. [Hefting his blade up and onto his back, he throws the rags into the chest and closes it.]

[ His ears move with every sound going on behind him. G'raha is keeping track of the other's movements, attempting to judge when it is safe to turn around. It's only when he picks up traces of a weapon finding its place with its owner does he finally see fit to do so. ]

'Tis nothing, truly. I am merely glad that I could offer my assistance. Waking up in a place that is unfamiliar is one thing. Yet here we all are finding ourselves in a setting that is entirely foreign.

[ So clearly they should help each other out. ]

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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