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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

He is.

[...Though he could be in better shape, but that's not his place to tell. Greagor help him, just because he has the Eikon of knowledge haunting him doesn't mean he wants to deal with all these different threads of information that keeps slamming into him.]

And last I saw he was safe...but we need to be careful. I'm not the only "ghost" wandering here.

[Sorry, Jill, but this is kind of important for her to know. Let's see if she can pick up what he means.]

[Joshua always could have been in better shape, so that's not anything new or surprising. That said, as long as he's alive, there's still hope for Dion, and most importantly to Jill, Clive.

There's worry on plain on her features because she catches Cid's hint easily enough. Of course with the good there has to be the bad and there's a number people that Jill considers bad. The list is very long and instead of letting her imagination run wild on who's been resurrected, she might as well save both of them the trouble and just ask straight out.]

And who are we discussing?

[He's going to take a moment to take a puff of his cigar, letting the smoke rest in his mouth before releasing it in a loud exhale.

After another look at her, he regrets a bit saying all this now. Maybe he could have waited. Let her share her stories which would be much better to listen to than this. On the other hand, she should know so she can better protect herself as he can't always hang around her. And who knows what could happen in the tavern. They could even walk through the door at anytime...

...

Another puff before he sighs.]

Barnabas and Benedikta.

[Two names she thinks were better left off the ship's passenger list.

She takes a deep breath and lets it go slowly. Benedikta, Jill can't say she's had experience with her aside from battlefield gossip and other tales told about the Warden of the Wind. But Barnabas? Somewhere there's quite the bit of irony that the last time she found herself on a strange ship it belonged to him. If he's lucky, maybe he got a taste of what it's like to be stuck in the hull's dank dark cell on the ride over here.]

So I believe it's only a matter of time before I find myself in their company. [The barmaid arrives with their meals, but ill ignores the food to sip at her drink, hoping it would ease the nerves that seem to have begun settling in her stomach.] At this rate, we'll never be guaranteed peace here.

[He'll watch her carefully, again regretting having to tell her all this so quickly. He'd rather he didn't, but given everyone's history...]

Benedikta... I can't say for sure what she'll do.

[There's certainly a look of weariness as he thinks about the flighty woman, knowing full well what direction she'll likely go as soon as she runs into that psycho. But that will be his own problem, one he won't want to drag the others further into if he can help it.]

As for Barnabas, we need to keep him away from Joshua. We do have some luck on our side with our Eikons suppressed or whatever the hell is going on. Not to say he's not a threat, but evens the field a bit. [Still not sure why he has Ramuh, but if he can feel him, then it's a good bet the other two have theirs, too.]

It seems this world is a lot more stable than our own, and doubtful this is the first time someone like him has shown up trying to stir up trouble. We'll just have to see how things play out for a bit.

Better still, we're all strangers to this world. So the more we know about this place, the better chance we have in countering whatever crazy plan that bastard tries.

[It's better that Jill knows so she can prepare herself, somehow anyway. Shiva seems to be completely gone for her. Not even the littlest whisper of her presence remains, not a sliver of the magicks Jill could still cast after that night on the beach.

Perhaps it's due to something Clive, Joshua, and Dion managed to get done back home against Ultima, but without their immediate return to the Hideaway, Jill is just left to guess and assume. For all she knows, she's just a regular human again, something she sometimes hoped fervently to be true on the darkest of days, but now Jill finds herself questioning that thinking. Be careful what you wish for, right?]

Cid, about our Eikons, my Eikon... There's something I need to tell you.

If his eyes are truly trained on her, then her discomfort at everything he says becomes glaringly obvious. Keeping Joshua safe at all costs, even from himself, is the most important thing and she would never argue against that. But how does one do so when her biggest weapon has gone missing?

She pauses to get the right words for the point across as clearly as possible, but the simplest ones seem to always work the best.]

I gave her essence to Clive, but I don't feel her any more. At all. But I don't think it's the fault of this place.

[A few words with a heavy story behind them. Where does she even start explaining how his plan has come to fruition? How her head seems uncannily quiet after years of having an Eikon residing in there? There's so much to say all at once.]

[He did notice, and now his eyes widen. He had heard from Joshua of things that transpired, but only up to a point. And it wasn't this point.

Seeing her having difficulty, Cid will try to help.]

When you say you don't feel her anymore... D'you mean gone? Completely?

[And already he's putting the pieces together, coming up with the most likely scenario. But he'll need to hear it from her before he can confirm it.]

[She nods, disconcerted about how her feelings about this entire thing seem to betray her now. After those years in captivity, she never found being a Dominant something worthy of praise. She didn't want it, even if the status--as low as it was in the Irobloods' eyes--gave her a small measure of security. Even after gaining her freedom, she primed as little as possible (which was still too many times for Tarja's liking), only when necessary unlike others who seems to prime as often as they breathed.

Jill had a desire for Shiva to leave her be, but now that troublesome faces seem determined to return, regret that the Eikon actually has departed seems to be trickling in.]

I cannot call forth a single icicle.

[And neither can anyone else in the Twins as far as Jill can tell, but the rest of the story will come out at its own pace.]

[Cid furrows his brows, hand stroking his chin in thought. There's definitely something to this...but just in case.]

Have you gotten one of those tattoos yet?

[To that question, Jill shakes her head. When the offer was presented to her, she rejected it outright. It was unsettling, a little too close a reminder of a Bearer's mark, and underneath it all, she didn't see a need to try and regain a little of her power. A life without that responsibility hanging over her head was a life she was curious to explore.

Oh, how things change so quickly.]

I left Valisthea the same way I arrived here: without Shiva.

[Jill grips the mug in her hands tightly as if to stem the flow of information that threatens to burst forth. There's just so much of the last five years to talk about.]

Clive continued where you left off. The Mothercrystals are no more and after their destruction, so went any magicks. And I preferred it that way then.

[She wants to say that Ultima is no more either as well and say it with wholehearted certainty, but until the trio makes it back home, Jill can't. All she knows is how she felt the days after Metia blinked out of the sky. Free of an Eikon, but desperately missing one half of her with no idea whether he was still alive or not. All she had was hope.]

Edited 2023-08-20 21:20 (UTC)

[—Ah. Just as he expected then. The Mothercrystals are gone, and with them magick. A cause for celebration that his plan was successful, however he knows the heavy weight and cost behind such a success.

...And judging from her expression, there's not a log of relief for her either.]

It's all right, lass, take your time.

[A small pause.]

There's something else, isn't there?

Ultima.

[Her memories of Drake's Head seem at the forefront of her mind and she remembers Cid claiming he knew who that fiend was. Surely the name shouldn't be unfamiliar to him.]

Clive, with Joshua and Prince Dion, went to battle him.

[Indeed she takes her time, breathing slowly, because the next part has been the roughest part of all. The not knowing, seeing the dawn of days come one after another without a sign from Clive, it's been breaking her heart.]

None of them had returned yet.

[The worst part of everything is that just because Joshua is here doesn't mean there was success. After all, if the mere fact she's sitting here across from Cid the Outlaw shows, it's that the dead aren't truly that in the end. But she tries her level best to never ever give up the faith and she won't start now.]

[His expression hardens at the name.

Yes, it's a name he knows and recognizes, one that makes his insides churn in disgust. If there was someone he detested more than Barnabas, it would be that thing, that so-called "god," the maker of all their problems.

But with what Jill says after...

He understands what she's implying—whether Ultima is truly gone is still unanswered. However, that part isn't important.

Cid will reach out, his hand clasping over hers in a gentle, comforting gesture.]

I can't say about the others... But knowing Clive, he's out there. Trust him.

[She trusts him. Founder, does she trust him. He's never given her a reason not to, but that doesn't mean Jill can't worry instead. There's a large difference between knowing he'll always come back to her and wondering if he'll come back injured so badly that it would take every bit of knowledge in Tarja's head to patch him up.

And her concern for Joshua and Dion run just as deeply, let there be no mistake. They all need to come back home safe and sound so they can rebuild the world. Together.

A glance down at their hands comes back up with a soft smile tinged with appreciation. Cid always seems to know what to say. A great talent, that.]

I know, but it would be remiss of me to say that I didn't wish he was here, if not just for my peace of mind but also Joshua's sake.

I'll keep an eye out for him. Seems people keep popping in, so if not today, maybe tomorrow or the next.

And knowing him, if you're here then he surely won't be too far behind.

[A lopsided grin before giving her hand one last pat before pulling away.]

Which... I'm going to assume you two are finally...

[That grin just deepens into something more teasing as he lets the words hang in the air.

Yes he is deliberately changing the topic here for a second okay.]

[That smile slips off her face and is replaced by by a sudden flush of her cheeks that there's no hiding. However foolish it is to feel embarrassed after they've already kissed in front of all and sundry at the Hideaway, Jill still can't help it. This is like when one parents' dig into their love life. Nobody ever wants to answer that directly, even if the truth is evident.]

I... Um, we...

[He's not going to let her leave this table without an answer, is he? Jill feels that for sure and sighs in defeat. He'll get the information somehow sooner or later. Might as well have it come from her.]

Yes.

[And it only took them five years to do it.]

[Nope, and that fox-like smile and gleam in his eyes are telling her yes she must answer. And when she answers, he can't help but chuckle.]

Judging from that answer... Don't tell me it's recent?

[Calling them out.]

[Jill brings a hand up to cover her face, feeling the burning going on there. Why can't he ask like a normal person? Does he have to drag it out of her bit by bit for his amusement? It's bad enough they were the topic of the Hideaway gossip round, but now he's just reminding her of how long she had those feelings for Clive but didn't, couldn't, act on them.]

We were preoccupied, Cid. There were far more important issues to contend with.

[Recent? It might as well have been a week ago.]

When I told you two to behave, I didn't mean for years.

[And yet he still teases her. Not that he doesn't understand, but...

...

Man, he's calling bullshit if they really didn't do anything. Clive must have had an iron will stronger than Titan's rock fists. Poor Jill.]

Does it really matter?

[Jill groans softly, just wishing she could somehow disappear right under the table and into the ground away from this interrogation. Founder, take her. Just take her right now.]

As I said, the Mothercrystals were our biggest concern and we couldn't afford any distractions. There is nothing wrong with that.

[Along with rebuilding the Hideaway from the ground up, but Jill really doesn't want to be the one to break that news to him.]

[It's okay that news is already broken—but he'll spare her that much.]

Fairly certain you could afford each other a little distraction.

[But all right, all right, he won't heckle her any further. Should Clive show up he damn well will to him, though. Seriously, man. Seriously. Tsk.]

But congratulations all the same.

No. We could not, I assure you.

[Well, that's not quite right. They had their moments of almost getting there, but a certain man who goes by the moniker of Gav interrupted them and it seems the world kept getting set on fire and needed putting out after that, so things between her and Clive were shelved.]

Thank you... I think. I'm not sure if you mean it or if you're continuing to mock me.

[And now his expression softens as he shakes his head.]

Nah... I mean it. It was clear you two were meant for each other, so I'm glad.

[....Even...if....her current situation is a bit uncertain. Still, he has faith in Clive. Not even a single sliver of doubt.

Briefly he again recalls how he saw them back in Martha's Rest, how he had been reminded of another time, another life. How much he hoped for their fates to end better than his own. And there's a small quirk of his lips before he grabs his mug to take a drink.]

Now, what other bit of news do you have to share?

[And there, he's finally moving on.]

[It's such a broad question that Jill takes a few long moments and a sip of her ale to consider an answer. There's a lot she could tell Cid, about how Lady Charon is still grumping along, how the Martelle's apples have grown sweeter over the year, but she begins with a topic much closer to herself.

One that has her putting her tankard down and giving Cid a look of resolve, setting the conversation back on a serious note.]

The Iron Kingdom's Patriach is dead. I made sure of that.

[Cid will be nursing his own drink, ruminating over everything he's heard so far.

Ultima... Damn bastard, he really hopes that thing is dead, for all their sakes. But then Joshua... Hm. He'll have to figure out what to do about that. Well until Clive shows up, he'll have to try and gather them all again. Now with Jill here, better numbers in their favor, and while it was better to let Joshua move on his own, now might be the time to group back together.

Ugh, can't he just rest in peace—

He'll also take a few puffs from his cigar and will have just exhaled one when he hears her bit of news.

And widens his eyes as he stares at her.]

...You did that, eh?

[And he knows exactly what she means by that. He's done his research, and while he doesn't know the full details, he knows enough.]

Must not have been easy.

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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