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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

[Ah, he caught that, did he? A wry grin forms as he once again looks down at his hand.]

Could say that. The magick is similar to what I'm used to, but different enough to need some getting used to.

[ Hmm. Dodging the question or is it honesty? Probably dodging the question just a little. Cloud's not going to push. After all, he certainly hasn't tried to do anything without the use of his own materia. Of course it would feel different so there's probably some partial truth there anyway. ]

Wouldn't know. Magic isn't something we can do without materia.

Materia?

Crystalized Mako.

[ Cloud realizes that this just might not be enough to explain. ]

The Lifestream sometimes takes on a liquified form called Mako. Mako can then crystalize and allow the person to use memories contained in the Lifestream to manipulate nature.

[He heard crystal and started to squint a little...and now more questions are rising.]

...Right, so what is this "Lifestream"? Something with memories?

[ Wow. He's really going to explain all of this, isn't he? Cloud sighs, keeping his eyes forward. ]

The planet's lifeblood, I guess you could call it. Some say that it is what gives life. I don't know if that's true, but I think it probably is. You wouldn't call it "returning to the planet" when you die otherwise, right?

[Well different worlds, kiddo!!!]

We don't call it that at all where I'm from. Well, aside from "returning to the earth" as you're buried, but usually said for platitudes for the bereaved.

But I think I understand. We have something similar called aether, and sounds like your crystalized Mako is a little similar to how we use crystals to channel and use the aether for magic.

[ Kiddo? Really? Also burying someone just sounds. Huh... ]

Probably close enough. I don't think the production of materia's going to continue. Naturally occurring, maybe.

Any drawbacks?

Everyone was so reliant on Mako energy powering everything. It's just going to be an adjustment.

[ Cloud scoffs a little. ]

Better than killing the planet. So I'll take the inconvenience over that.

Edited 2023-08-31 00:24 (UTC)

[....Ah. Now that has him interested a bit.]

Sounds like our worlds are more similar that we might expect.

How do you figure?

[ He's given you enough information, old man. Time for some equivalent exchange. ]

[Some doors are best left unopened—wait wrong franchise about brothers.]

Remember the aether I mentioned earlier? It's like your Lifestream, the life force of the land and the source of all magic. We have large crystals called Mothercrystals which absorbs the aether, and from them we can harvest smaller, more portable ones to use for our own needs.

However, the people have become too reliant on the use of aether, which has caused a number of problems I won't bore you with. But last I heard that, too, is changing.

[ Pretty similar, yeah. And Cloud knows a thing or two about Mako reactors. ]

The land around these crystals drying out? Nothing able to grow or barely hanging onto life?

[A small quirk of his lips.]

Opposite. Places farthest away from the crystals are hit with what we call the "Blight" first, where all of the aether is sucked away, all the land made barren where not even a bug is found. But the crystals themselves aren't safe, either, one already lost to the Blight.

But those very same Mothercrystals are the cause of it, draining the aether into themselves.

[ The man on Cloud's back is starting to finally move around. Starting to come to. That's a relief. Maybe he can stop carting the guy around and he can walk back on his own. That's... What Cloud would think is best. ]

Blight? [ Barren. That's what he means. So no life whatsoever. Not the faintest traces. It really does remind him of Midgar. Save for Aerith's church and even her own home, there wasn't much to be found. ] Hmm.

[ It does make him wonder if - ]

Is your planet trying to kill you off?

[ Because clearly planets are kind of sentient, right? ]

[A snort.]

That would be a twist, wouldn't it? As far as I know, no. Could be something else, though.

[~Mystery~

And he now sees the man stirring more and stops.]

Well, look who's finally decided to join us.

[The man just mumbles something unintelligible...something about beautiful women and soft pillows as he nuzzles his face into the back of Cloud's neck and hair...

...]

Or not.

[ Something else... Now there's a thought, right? Given what Cloud knows about his own. ]

Might not be wrong.

[ Not that he is going to elaborate there. Instead the person on his back seems to be coming to -

Or not. Cloud scoffs, frowning just a little. What does he look like to this guy? ]

I should make you carry him.

[Just raises his hands and steps back.]

You're doing a fine job, lad. He would be far less comfortable on my back.

[That's not actually helpful is it—]

Besides, I can see the camp ahead so not much longer now.]

[ Wow! You really just going to up and step back like that? Cloud cuts Cid a glare.

But he doesn't drop the guy nor does he grumble and complain. The old man isn't really any help in this situation. ]

Good. Though I don't know if it means this guy will learn his lesson.

[Consider it exercise and weight training!]

Probably not, but he might not have had much of a chance if these sirens are as powerful as they say.

[Judging by the aftermath, he's inclined to believe it.]

Or he's just more susceptible to them. Should shove something in his ears.

[ Just saying Cid! Cloud is just a little sharp around some of those edges. ]

[Prickly one this guy. But Cid isn't bothered, instead chuckling.]

That would be one way, eh? We'll have to give him some later.

[ It's not just his hair that is spikey Cid... ]

Once we're back in down, I'm dumping him at the nearest inn.

[Thanks, but pretty as you are, Cloud, you're not his type—]

Fortunately for you, you just need to dump him on the boat.

[Just a little bit more Cloud, almost there!]

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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