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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

[Smoke trails from Cid's cigar as he listens with a hardened expression. From what he heard from Joshua and Jill, this all lines up...and so Clive is now telling the part that no one knew. And what Jill feared.

Now, Clive may be right. If what he says is true about the amount of Ultima's power, then survival in wielding it are slim to none. Yet—]

How much and how fast did it take while you remained conscious?

[ his grip tightens, threatening to fold the mug in with just his hands alone. He breathes the words out slowly. ]

My left hand was almost completely taken moments before I realized what had occurred. After I tired to conjure up one last flame...

But was it just the hand? Did you feel anything else?

[ His brows furrow together. ]

From what I could remember. I could feel parts of my body stiffen, but I lost consciousness soon after.

[A slight rub of his chin.]

A bit slow...

[A quiet murmur as he remember something else Clive mentioned earlier.]

You also said something about a bottle before you came here?

[ He'll nod. ]

I couldn't tell what it was at first, but something washed up on the shoreline next to me while I was lying in the sand. I only realized after I arrived what it was.

[ Clive pauses before slowly, silently, lifting his gaze to Cid. ]

Why do you ask?

[Cid drums his fingers against the table in thought, eyes staring at Clive's hand before he leans back in his chair, arms crossed.]

Before I answer that, I need you to answer me this. Ultima was after you... And while I knew a little bit of who he was, I don't know everything.

What was your place in his grand scheme? [A small pause.] It had to do with you being able to take our powers, wasn't it?

[Even if Joshua may have told him things, and he picked up or learned things before from Ramuh, it's always better to hear from the person himself.

Even if it may be difficult.

But if what he thinks is true, then...]

[ He falls silent yet again. The memories were still fresh. The wounds still opened. And yet, if Cid wanted to know—

Clive breathes, the sound of it shakes before he begins. ]

Yes. It was his plan to create a perfect vessel in order to destroy Valisthea. “Mythos”, they had called it.

[ there were many “gods” in their world, but this one? To use the people he has created like this…?

His frown deepens. ]

By absorbing the power of the Dominants of their aether he meant to use me to restart this world to create a new one. Only they lacked the proper means to do so until I awakened as Ifrit.

...I see.

[He takes a slow puff of his cigar in thought, letting the smoke roll in his mouth before releasing it slowly.

A vessel...to destroy Valisthea and restart that world. That was certainly in line of what Barnabas was doing and what he gleaned from what he uncovered back in Waleod, and in some ways what he was also trying to do. Of course key difference is Cid didn't want to destroy the world, just change it. It was still a big gamble... But he knew that much.

He's a bit conflicted in how he had forced his own into Clive, knowing the lad hadn't wanted it. Not to mention it was falling right into Ultima's plans... However, fate is funny like that, as while he walked that path, he used that power against Ultima instead.]

And the Mothercrystals?

A tool for Ultima's cause. [ He could see the Nexus. Could still feel the coldness in that chamber and the echoing of Ultima's words.

His shoulders fall as he continues. ] It seemed that he wanted the Mothercrystals to be destroyed, afterall... and we played right into it.

[ All this pain. All this suffering for a world only Ultima wanted for himself. To throw away everything he created self preservation. The thought made Clive's sick and his stomach turn. ]

Joshua had sealed a portion of Ultima's power inside of him, and was released so he could merge with himself... but then... he— [ His voice quivers as he his shuts his eyes. ] —Joshua, he...

...Shit.

[There's a slight grind of his teeth as he hears this. To think his own plans, his own goals actually helped that abomination calling himself god—

On the other hand, did they have much of a choice? The Mothercrystals drained the aether, causing the blight. How much aether did that monster need? All of it? So many questions, but clearly not the time to ask them.

Seeing Clive in distress, and knowing very well what he's trying to say, he just lets out a small breath and reaches out to lightly clap him on the shoulder.]

S'all right.

[ He feels the weight on his shoulder, the warmth coming from a place he never thought he'd feel again, and attempts to even his breathing.

There's a hestiant pause as he inhales. He's trying, he really is... ]

In the end Joshua lended me his strength... Phoneix's power. It was with you and all the Dominants combined that I was able to defeat him.

[ Clive wipes the side of his face as he continues, the tone in his voice slightly shifting depsite the sadness that consumed it.

Torgal moves to rest his head on top of the man's lap, whimpering softly. ]

Ultima meant the strip the world of it's will and only cared for himself... a selfish "god" to the every end.

[As the hand on Clive's shoulder never leaves, Cid slowly sips his drink with the other, connecting the dots.

Ultima, that abomination that Barnabas served, a "god" he had been called. The start of everything for himself, what caused him to leave Waleod...and Benedikta.

He knew the Mothercrystals had been important, and he had connected them with the aether and the blight, but not their hidden purpose. So why would Ultima want to destroy the Mothercrystals when they were taking in that much aether? And with Clive taking their powers and aether...

Aether source of magic...]

So let me see if I got this right.

[He sets the mug down and looks at Clive.]

You were meant to be a vessel to help Ultima destroy Valisthea so that he could rebuild it to as he sees fit, and to become that you had to take our powers, aether. The Mothercrystals, which have been around since all creation, were used to take in the aether and suck our land dry in the process, and they, too would ultimately be destroyed.

...Am I correct in assuming that part was for a spell? A spell of destruction?

[Because why else would Ultima need all that aether and want the Mothercrystals destroyed? In Cid's mind, destroying the crystals would just mean stopping this absorption and allow the lands to recover, the aether now once more free. But if it's Ultima, the selfish bastard, then rather than be set free...it would likely be sent somewhere else instead. Like an irrigation system with the water pooling in certain areas. Remove the barriers, and it doesn't just randomly disperse—it'll all be funneled to a central location instead.]

[ Cid really hit the nose on the head with this one. Clive shouldn't be surprised, though. It was Cid who initially taught him of the negative effects on the Mothercrystals. It was he who learned of Ultima and attempted to avoid their world's destruction. Yet to not be able to see all of his hard work realized? The knot in Clive's stomach only grew. So much so that he'll hunch over the table, cradling the mug with both hands. Yet, even still, the man will nod. ]

"A spell to end all spells" as Joshua had claimed it. Ultima meant to use a body... a vessel strong enough to withstand the aether in order to cast it. That's why his plan took so long. Centuries, even.

"A spell to end all spells..." And you were to be that vessel.

[A quiet murmur as he repeats those words, unaware of Clive's thoughts...

Before a few of his own strike him.]

But was that all even possible to complete? Leviathan's Dominant hasn't been seen for so long it's practically forgotten. Don't tell me I missed that, too.

No. I don't know the whereabouts of Leviathan, or if they even existed in the first place.

[ He's trying to remember the conversations. Trying to sort through his thoughts to line up the pieces that were scattered about. ]

The "perfect vessel" was to be a combination of Ifrit and Phoenix both. He used us all... used and manipulated us behind the scenes so the Dominants could meet. So that I could take their aether.

[ The sting of tears threatening to resurface clung on the edges of his lashes fueled by anger and despair. ]

So many people died because he wished to live on... To cast aside his creation when they were no longer needed. To create a world for he and his kin alone.

Edited (FUCK YOU AHAHAHA) 2023-09-05 17:39 (UTC)

[Ah—so that's what he meant. A combination of Ifrit...and Phoenix. He had wondered why the second Eikon of fire existed, and so this was the reason.]

And the only one who knew was blindly following him, anyway.

[Bloody hell, what in the fuck did they all get dragged into... And knowing that also makes him feel a little aggrieved about a few other things, but he hides it well as always.]

But you stopped him.

I did. [ He says flatly before attempting to straighten himself up instead of looking like someone who was already too many cups into their ale- ] There is no more magick left on our star, and people are free to live their lives how they see fit.

[ Yet there's something on his face that shows a bit of discontent. For the people he's lost, the lives that are no longer here, and now this new world. ]

But here... magick still exists.

[He studies Clive for a moment, giving him one last pat on the shoulder before lowering his hand so he can rest it against the table as he takes a smoke.]

Aye, it does. But it's different. For us, we needed that aether gone—there would have been no change if Bearers could still be born and use magic while others couldn't.

Here it seems no one has any innate talent for it—they all must use something, be it the tattoo or an item. Every person is still the same and only the magic itself is the tool—not the person. Not to mention, it's all voluntary nor is it necessary for everyday living.

[He then eyes Clive.]

And so I realized this is exactly what we were striving for—and what you accomplished. Just wrapped up in a different package.

[ Clive allows Cid's words to sink in, feeling the rush of realization. ]

What I accomplished... [ He repeats as he cranes his neck to gaze back up at the man sitting across from him. ]

You're right. I... had heard about the tattoo, but was afraid the cycle would just repeat itself. Even now I'm not so sure.

Edited 2023-09-07 04:03 (UTC)

[Aha, he caught that actual important part. So you know let's stop talking about this world for a moment.]

It's something we have to see, but—

[He gestures towards the people eating here in the diner. Out on the street. The sounds on the docks below.]

From what I can tell, seems to be fine, and they've been at this at a while.

[Another clap on Clive's shoulder, something that's going to probably happen a fair number of times for him...]

Clive. I know your journey was rough, and I saddled you with the worst of it by the sounds of it. And the journey will still be rough—it won't be easy changing into a completely different life.

But you and everyone else defied fate. You stopped Ultima's plan and took it back into your own hands—the world's hands.

So stop carrying this burden you've been lugging around. It's time for you to live your life—the way you want, whether it's in this world or back home. Which, by the way, I think you'll be returning to.

[ Maybe it was the way Cid addressed him. Maybe it was the feeling of that supportive hand on his shoulder, or the presence of someone he felt to be far greater than himself that shook Clive's very being.

He could feel himself reverting back to how he was when he first met the outlaw— how scared, doubtful, and insecure he was. It reminded him of how he use to be under the not-so-gentle guidance of the man who stirred him into who he was today.

... But Cid was right. The world was in a much better state now without the control of Ultima's whims. They could live free and their "will" would survive. It would be rough, and would continue to be rough for many more years to come... yet it was a step in the right direction.

However accomplished he truly felt though would not quite register on Clive's face, though. As, with a sadness in his voice, the man shakes his head. ]

Cid, I've already told you. Back home, I...

Think you're dead, I know.

[And true to form, Cid will voice the difficult words that others couldn't. However, he leans in closer to him, peering into Clive's face.]

I won't lie, the odds aren't good, and perhaps you're right. However, you said yourself that you were to be Ultima's perfect vessel. And while I haven't known you for long, I know you yourself are far more capable than anyone, even yourself, knows. A man whose will and strength is greater than fate itself.

If I were a betting man, I'd put everything on you making it out alive. Might lose a limb as a cost—[A glance at the hand Clive had mentioned he felt petrifying.]—but that's why we were given two.

Not only that, if I saw your sorry ass trying to go through death's door, I'd kick it right out.

[ ...

He could only stare.

Throat dry. Mouth slightly hung open as he fights to steady his quivering lip. ]

Cid...

[ A tear rolls down his cheek. He was certain- so sure that this is what his fate was to be. And he had accepted it. To know that everything he did was so that others could live on. But there was a small portion of himself that wished he could live on. He wanted to see the world grow.

He wanted to work alongside everyone through their struggles.

He wanted to be with Jill again.

And to think that even now, despite all they had been through, Cid still looking out him. He was still pushing and believing in him. Just as he had done when they first met. ]

[ His eyes shook as a watery gaze lowers to the table, allowing the tears to fall upon wood. ]

... Thank you. For everything...

[ The tears won't stop now. He feels as vulnerable as he ever was. But not only were they tears of sadness, but of relief as well. He knew he wasn't alone, that his loved ones were always at his side, but to realize that even those who had passed on were still in his corner... it was far too great an emotion to keep inside. ]

Edited (TOO MANY CIDS) 2023-09-08 17:06 (UTC)

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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