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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

How much can a meal or two cost here? It's probably not bad.

[They did get some money when they first arrived. It's in dubloons or something so he has no idea if it's a good amount of coin or not but food is food.]

Zack. Your "meal or two" is the average person's five or six.

[ Hopefully the jobs that come up will pay enough. Honestly he has no idea how fast Zack actually burns through calories now. Is it the same? Will it be different here?

Is any of that even going to matter? ]

Listen, I can't help I'm a growing boy but I don't eat that much in one sitting?!

[He barks out a laugh. He sure does consume a lot of calories as a mako-enhanced SOLDIER and everything. But right now he just wants a normal meal. Or maybe like two.

And beer. That'd be nice.]

Just what part of you is growing?

[ The middle part? That's something that's never going to happen. Whatever the case, Cloud is going to start off back towards the town. Zack can lead them to where it is they are supposed to go.

And hey. There's no one to crash this little get together this time. ]

Don't forget I've seen you eat.

You can't tell me you're not hungry after the day we've had.

[Zack replies with an amused tone. But here they go off towards the boardwalk where the Minstrel and Cask tavern is.]

Never said I wasn't. I'm just trying to remember if it was supposed to be your treat or not.

[ CLOUD IT'S BEEN LIKE SIX YEARS!? ]

[Listen you little shit]

If we're doing that, then it better be your treat this time, man!

Are you sure? Because you're the one that asked me if I wanted to check it out with you, right?

[ Okay, it's just a bit bratty. He knows that and he wouldn't really take it this far. But it's just. Something of a relief to see Zack's expressions. ]

Still means you can treat us if you're gonna talk like that.

[Big talk means big deals! Zack grins and nudges Cloud's side.]

My company isn't enough?

[ Honestly... Cloud can't remember the last time he's felt. Like this? Like he doesn't have to stop and think about this, that, or the other. It's a hard feeling for him to describe, really. Usually he gets pretty stuck in his head.

But it doesn't feel that way now. ]

[Guh, the last thing Zack wants to do right now is think more. No getting into heads at all.

Just up ahead is the Minstrel and Cask. A popular tavern frequented by all exploring Eltrut's main port. It's lively and full of patrons and filled with bardcore music and the smell of cooking food.]

Sure it is but that doesn't fill me up with food. Come on, we can argue about it inside.

[He grins and heads in.]

[ Is it that Zack doesn't want to think... Or he just can't answer that honestly?

Either way, Cloud is just grinning. "Grinning" being the barest hint of such a thing; the corners of his mouth turned ever so slightly upward.

Granted, he still doesn't care for places that are loud or where there are lots of people. But this is the type of place that Zack enjoys. Cloud figures that he can tolerate this. For Zack's sake. ]

There's not really going to be much of an argument.

[ Since Cloud will pay. ]

Yeah? You sure?

[He grins wolfishly and then picks a table near the window that overlooks the water. It's loud in here and full of corsairs and paladins alike but he likes the energy. At least it's marginally quieter near the window.]

What're you hungry for? Is it too boring to think of seafood?

One hundred percent. I'm not going to leave anything to chance.

[ He just is going to give Zack a smile before sitting down. Cloud's pretty grateful that Zack has picked a window seat. Looking out the window, he's already just... Thinking about how he's going to manage his motion sickness.

Zack brings his attention back to the present and is trying to hide a laugh behind his hand. ]

No, I don't think so. I might just do that.

Great, because I'm thinking of some fried calamari. What better way to settle in than eating the local food, am I right?

[It'll also just be nice to have a semi-quieter spot where they can talk. Zack still has a pile of questions and concerns that he's not sure how to address but... Maybe he'll feel better once he's eaten.]

I guess. Could just look around too.

[ Of course Zack would take the route that requires more socialization in the end. Or at least go to a place where there is more activity and call it immersing himself. Though Cloud's approach isn't a bad one either - familiarizing himself with the port town itself. All of its ins and outs.

Cloud doesn't really know what he wants to eat though. ]

Maybe you should pick for me.

[ Like he hasn't done that several times before. In the past. ]

Once we eat we can do some serious exploring if that's what you're hinting at.

[Zack gives a slight grin. Honestly, it's kind of hilarious seeing Cloud being so sassy about this. For months he was so used to Cloud just doing whatever Zack needed him to do because that's all the energy he had to spare. So it's ... nice?]

Fish is probably a good idea, though. Low-fat high-quality protein with the bonus of being delicious.

[He could slam a disgustingly cheesy burger right now too, but. Eat as locals do.]

I didn't think I was hinting at anything.

[ Cloud pretty much had just come out and said it, hadn't he? Still, his lip quirks. It's more a smirk than a smile. Sure, he's... Feeling better. He hadn't thought that just Zack's presence could do that. Yet here it is... ]

Are you sure that's going to be enough for you?

[ Caloric intake and all is still a thing, right? ]

[Zack snorts and nods. Because he knows Cloud just said he wants to look around more. So, that's what they're going to do. How can Zack ever refuse him even if he's an older sassier Cloud now? So exploring it is.

After food.]

Well, no one said that was all I was gonna order. How about the lobster too?

[ Good. Why is it that Cloud has had to remind him about things like actually eating as much as he needs? You'd think that someone who had legitimately been in SOLDIER wouldn't need that.

So he actually smiles. He hasn't done this much smiling in years. ]

Have you even had lobster before?

Yeah, I think so. Not for a long while, but yeah. Have you?

[Living in the back country, lobster wasn't a thing growing up. But Midgar had some pretty decent imports. He can't remember if it was any good. He wants to try it fresh.]

[ LOOK. It's not like they've really had the time for fine dining. And after Meteorfall well - ]

No, I haven't.

[ Go ahead and judge him, Zack. ]

Edited (what) 2023-09-15 01:09 (UTC)

Great. Two lobsters. Actually, maybe four.

[TWO IS A LOT.]

Four? That's... On top of everything else?

[ Zack. Just how much do you expect them to eat? ]

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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