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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

[Cid is again pleased by her accepting his choice. It may not really mean anything in the end, but... He could at least do this much, right? And he's about to look for one himself when he realizes Benedikta is looking around. ...Is...she...really...?

So there's genuine surprise when she does pick out something...and the reason for her choice. Slowly he'll take the case, noticing how it even has a flap to open it and the insert for the shellphone. Fingering it for a moment, he thinks back of all the journals he wrote back then. Most of it about his own notes or ideas, but there were other things.

Sentimental things.

Things she's read.

Momentarily lost in those thoughts, he comes to quick enough and looks up at her with a soft smile, tapping the case a few beats.]

Thanks. I'll take care of it.

[And he means it. Not just for wanting to protecting the device, but because it's something she herself picked. Again, it could mean nothing at all—just a transaction given in return to his own choice. But once again thinking of her death, of the last thing they ever really "exchanged" were barbed words and hurt feelings...

Even he can feel a little something about it.

And as if to busy himself, he'll even work on fitting the phone in, sliding it in the setting with a satisfied snap.]

Perfect fit, too.

[It hadn't meant anything at all...

...

... until she sees how much he actually likes her choice. It had simply been a reminder, something that she felt was very Cidolfus-like, but with the way his expression softens and how he seems almost lost in thought when he runs his finger over it.

It brings her back for just a moment to those nights when he would show her what he'd written...

She hadn't expected much of anything. Really, she thought he'd turn it down and pick out something simpler for himself, but there's a very palpable skip of her heart before she tears her eyes away lest she stare just a second too long.]

You'd better. Or I will throw it into the ocean if you ruin it.

[A small laugh at her threat as he continues to look over the case, finding the extra slots interesting. What else could he put in it? Notes? It looks like it has some kind of loop here... Hold something?]

Now can't have that.

[Though where can he put it? Hm, pants pocket? Will it fit? So he'll try it and seeing it slide into his pants pocket easily, he grins.]

See? [Pat pat.] Nice and safe. Once I get my jacket back can tuck it inside there there, too.

Good.

[And now there's an awkward moment where Benedikta searches for pockets in her own clothes. Perhaps that would have been a good thing to check, but with all this tighter-fitting leather, there's nothing really big enough for her to fit it...

...]

Ugh. How inconvenient.

[She slips it under the belt—his belt—instead. It's a little uncomfortable, but it will have to do for now until she can figure out what exactly to do with it.

Until then...]

Is that all?

[He watches Benedikta try to find a place... Huh, that is a bit convenient. He'll have to keep an eye out to see if he could help her with that...]

I think that's it.

[And knowing very well she is pretty much done, Cid will glance around, eyes lingering on the devices as he clearly wants to learn more, before walking towards the exit.]

[Well, he is more than welcome to stay and she almost expects that he will as she, too, heads for the exit, only to look a little surprised that he is moving in that direction and that she nearly bumps right into him.]

Oh—

[... before it fades into light frustration when they leave the shop together. Not with him, per se—though Benedikta's default state is frustrated with and mad at Cidolfus Telamon—but with herself for even thinking for a moment about what he might do, or want to do, and caring about it. The longer she spends with him, the more she thinks back on that memory that had spilled forth from the place she kept it locked away.

The more she thinks back to those word that echoed in her head...

But all of that is shattered when a strange-looking man (another platypus) shoves something in her face.

"Would you like a charm for that new phone of yours, ma'am? We've got plenty to look at!" He looks between Benedikta and Cid. "We even have matching ones for our lovebirds! All of them on special today only!"]

[Whether he notices her reaction to him leaving with her, he makes no sign of it. And fortunately or not, the strange duck thing calling to them serves as a distraction...

...

Oh boy—let's try and cut in before she tries to overturn the cart (and glad she doesn't have her magic back yet—)]

What say we take a look, eh? Looks like they have some other things could use to hold your phone.

[Charms aside, he does see a few bags and straps that look like could be used to hold the device.]

[She was pretty much ready to overturn the cart with her bare hands were it not for Cid intervening. Even that isn't enough and she stares past him to the duck man with a threatening scowl before her attention is following Cid, hearing the words "hold your phone" being the thing that does finally placate her.

Because as convenient as the belt at her waist is, it isn't going to last her forever.]

What do you mean hold it? You mean so I don't have to wear it in this belt?

[Even in pirate worlds, women's clothes have no fucking pockets.]

Edited 2023-08-27 04:58 (UTC)

At least something to keep it in place and secured. Unless you plan on getting different clothes from your usual style.

[With pockets. And knowing how her tastes in clothing has evolved, he is highly doubting it unless something strikes her fancy.]

What?

[She looks offended as she glances down at her clothes.]

What's wrong with my usual style? [A pause, and she lifts a single brow.] Do you not think it suits me anymore?

No, I think it's fine. But not exactly practical for carrying things.

[Pointed look at her phone.

LOOK HE'S NOT JUDGING HONESTLY SHE'S HOT IN WHATEVER SHE WEARS BUT FACTS ARE FACTS.]

[IT FEELS LIKE HE IS JUDGING...]

Well, if I had known I would be lugging around this giant square device, do you not think I would have picked better clothes?

[The platypus stands there laughing awkwardly before he butts in— "Ahaha, anywho, take a look around the cart, I'll be uh, over there with them if you have questions." And off to the less angry looking customer he goes, leaving the two of them to browse and bicker at their leisure, and Benedikta huffs. Loudly.

She fucking hates that Cidolfus is right. Again.]

Is there anything that I could hook it to my belt with?

Hmm.

[A low hum as he just lets her ire roll of his back like usual and walks up to the displays.]

A few leather straps look they could do the job. Or could have a pack or small satchel... Looks like you could attach them to a belt, even your sword belt when you get that back.

[See? He's looking!! Seriously!! He may also be considering something himself since while a pocket is fine, never hurts to have alternatives if he's wearing something different or don't want it bumping against his leg.]

[Okay, well. She will afford him credit for that. Just one single credit. Well, maybe half.

And she's leaning in ever so slightly to look, bringing herself to the same level of the leather straps that he's been eyeing. Still, she's trying to be subtle about it, so she won't move too far from where she stands.]

And I could attach them to the case that I have?

[It's important. Don't ask her why.]

Think so... Here, let me see it again.

[He holds out his hand, as if not doubting she would give it to him.]

[Well, he isn't wrong. She does visibly hesitate, even leans back an inch when he offers his hand... before she is tugging it free from the belt and pressing it into his palm.]

What exactly do you mean to do...?

[Her eyes are lingering on the feathered case, looking as if she's afraid that it might break if he holds it too tight, or the wrong way.]

Just looking to see how this would fit...

[Though seeing how much hesitation and worry seems to be in her eyes, Cid reconsiders his options. There were simple ones that would leave the phone exposed, but...

After another, look, his eyes shine in the way it always does when he spots something he thinks is the answer. Reaching out, he takes off what looks to be a tangle of straps and a leather pouch before slipping the phone inside the pouch, snapping the flap shut. Satisfied, he holds it up to her.]

Here, it's like a knife sheath, only for the phone. Think the belt loops through here, and you buckle this strap around your thigh to keep it in place.

[...

She takes it, examines the straps. It's a fine leather, thick and sturdy from the looks of it and, admittedly, exactly the sort of thing that she would have picked out herself were she on her own. It suits her, almost to a T, which is infuriating in its own right because once again, even after over a decade apart and hating one another, he still knows...

Benedikta tests it by looping it over her belt and clipping it, and buckling up the strap around her thigh, and the phone rests snug against her leg.

Damn it all, she actually kind of likes how this looks.]

It will have to do.

[He watches with a slight amused look, sensing she is liking it more than she's letting on. Mostly by the fact that she isn't rejecting it or asking for something else. But he'll be nice and not stare at her with that satisfied smirk for long and look back at the other holsters available.]

Seeing that, though, think I might want one myself...

[She arches a brow.]

What? Is the case I picked out for you not enough?

[It fits nicely into his pocket as well. Men really do have it lucky, don't they?]

Nah, just don't want it slipping out or if I don't feel like having something loose in my pockets. With the other things I'd likely be carrying, pockets won't be enough.

[Phone, coin purse, cigars, some other traveling necessities like spare poultices or cloth for bandaging if needed.]

[He has a point... and his answer is a very Cidolfus one... yet again. Frustratingly so.

So, once more, just like she had done inside, she looks around at the options in front of them... and while it isn’t as ridiculously vast as the cases were, there are still plenty to pick from...

And so she plucks one from the shelf: a simple leather pouch matching his case that looks like it can loop around his belt like hers can, minus the second strap, with a single enclosed slot for him to easily slip his phone in and out of.]

Something like this?

Edited 2023-08-27 19:22 (UTC)

[Perhaps he shouldn't be so surprised she would pick something out for him after she did so with the case earlier, but there's still a little bit of one before he looks and takes it with a grin.]

Aye, that will do me. Don't need anything too fancy.

[Like the ones that have three satchels or four different pockets and five metal rings and clips attached to them...and other holders that he's not really familiar with.]

I thought so.

[There's just the lightest aversion of her eyes, not quite looking at him, but enough that she can catch the way he grins when he accepts it. There's a strange bubble of pride that grows in her chest knowing that it's the same for her—like him, she still hasn't forgotten the kind of man he was, and still is.

He never did need things fancy.]

It... suits you...

[He's already testing it out, looping it through the belt and sliding his phone inside.]

You always did have a good eye.

[The words slip out naturally, partly because he's still preoccupied in adjusting it to the right spot so it wouldn't hinder his movements.]

See anything else you need?

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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