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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

[ Alucard's expression goes soft with surprise, blue eyes giving a couple blinks in quick succession. It might be tough to tell for most people, but a flush crawls down his throat. His expression is quick to compose itself, though it's more pensive. ]

It's... complicated.

[ But Astarion has definitely gotten his teeth into something. ]

Well, far be it from me to complicate a relationship further.

[ He says, but he's still laying here in Alucard's bed, with Alucard's shin pressed up against his after the two of them worried over each other in turn. This is far more intimate than the sex they would have had, but Astarion isn't stopping to think about that. Or if he is, he's certainly not dwelling on it. That would be complicated indeed. ]

[ The smile is a thin, wistful one; eyes dropping down to somewhere around Astarion's collar. Arms curled before him, he rubs at one of the sleeves over his wrist. ]

I don't know that it is one. And now there's no telling if I'll ever see him again.

[ But it must have been weighing on his mind enough he'd decided not to just hop right into bed with someone after all. Well, at least not sexually.

His gaze shifts back up, steady on Astarion's face. ]

I'm sorry that I misled you.

[ No, he's sorry he hurt him, but he knows the other won't accept that. ]

It sounds like whatever troubles you is an issue beyond our current predicament. I won't burden you with platitudes about how everything might magically fix itself. You'd know far better than I what the real likelihood of that is.

[ Sometimes the world is simply just bad. And sometimes terrible things happen for no reason and they can't get fixed. ]

But you should be sorry. I am very good at sex, so it's really your loss.

[ There's nothing more he's willing to say on the topic at the moment, though he appreciates that Astarion neither sugar-coats his response nor tries to twist the knife.

And the last quip earns a more sincere chuckle. He reaches a hand out to settle against the other man's waist. ]

I think I'd rather see you, more than just once.

[ Oh.

Astarion doesn't pull away from the touch this time. He allows Alucard's hand to settle on him, even when it is coupled with those words. Words that have a weight to them Astarion isn't sure he wants to contemplate. He tells himself Alucard is just manipulating him, the way Astarion would do with anyone else. That they're all in desperate need of allies and that things like sex and emotion and whatever this is make it more likely that people will stay by your side. He reminds himself over and over that, apology or not, Alucard still led him on and lied to him.

But something pulls at his heartstrings. Something knows Alucard is going to get hurt, if he is allowed to keep walking down this path. Normally that pain would mean nothing to him, but Astarion finds that even after everything, he does not want to hurt Alucard.

And Alucard did save his life.

What kind of repayment would it be, to let him light the fire of this dangerous thing that could explode on both of them? ]

Alucard...

[ He says his name softly, a gentle warning instead of the shove he normally gives those that get to close to him. ]

I can't be anything more than what I've already offered. That's all I have to give.

Somehow, I doubt that.

[ He could be wrong, but Alucard was also used to seeing some things that others did not. In any case, he doesn't look put out, taking in Astarion's expression from a vantage point probably few have ever gotten the time to. He digs his shoulder into the mattress, uses it for leverage to slide warmly into Astarion's space. ]

But it's still enough.

[ He leans in, aiming to press his own kiss to Astarion's forehead, a mirror of the unprompted affection the other man had given him earlier. ]

[ it's bittersweet. Those are words he desperately longs to hear, from someone who knows the truth about him. Like this, it feels like they're still conditional. Like Alucard might--and should--change his mind once he knows everything.

So he's caught between those feelings. He goes still when Alucard moves closer, and he's still while Alucard kisses him on the forehead. All of this attention is so much. Too much. He hasn't earned this kindness.

And maybe more importantly, some part of Astarion knows he wouldn't deserve it if Alucard knew the truth.

He reaches over and puts his hand on Alucard's chest. But he doesn't push him away. Instead he simply feels the beat of his heart, so full of life, underneath his fingertips.

It is intoxicating. ]

I mean it. [ his heart isn't in the protest, though. ] There's nothing good that can come of this. I'll continue to fuck around and you'll waste your time worrying after someone who doesn't need it.

[ Alucard takes the hand on his chest as a signal, one that has him relaxing back somewhat and allowing a modicum of space that way. But he's not being shoved, so he stays. ]

It doesn't seem like I'm the one who's worrying.

[ He drops his eyes to the hand, admiring the look of it there, delicate but simultaneously sharp. His own shifts to envelop it, warm with markers of chill metal from the many rings he wears. ]

But it's still my time to waste; if I wish to use it to make a fool of myself, that's my prerogative. Just like it's yours to fuck around as much as you like.

[ His pulse thrums steadily beneath the other man's hand. He's not Astarion's captain, so he's got no right to tell him what to do. Except... ]

Though I suggest you take more time to rest for now. And if I'm not mistaken, the bell for my shift should be coming any minute.

[ Which is why one of his legs moves behind him, catching the edge of the bed to better help roll over onto his back and give his company more space. Staring up at the ceiling, he takes a deep breath through his nose as if to gather the will to do what needs to be done, then moves to climb out of the bed. ]

[ Astarion is so completely out of his depths here. He doesn't know how he's supposed act in the face of this. Everything was always simple: have sex or don't have sex; push people away who get close. But Alucard has changed all the calculus of everything and he doesn't respond in any of the ways Astarion expects.

Maybe he should be more worried about himself than Alucard. Alucard seems to understand all of this somehow, and Astarion is woefully equipped. He simply watches him roll over and then move away, and the bed feels cold and empty as he does.

What's that feeling?

He almost moves to grab him and make him stay, and he all but convinces himself that's just his vampiric desires talking, that it's about power and nothing else. ]

Very well. I'll just stay here while you do all the hard work. It sounds absolutely awful.

[ Alucard moves to flip open a sea chest at the base of the bed and draws from it a fresh ( well, less soggy ) uniform jacket, throwing it over his shoulders. He huffs a chuckle at that while he's buckling up the front of the thing. ]

Yes, just lay there and look pretty until we make port.

[ He sits at the edge of the bed to pull his boots back on. His hands run through his hair, sweeping the curls back to be pinned. Sure enough, a bell sounds somewhere above on the deck, chiming the change of duties. ]

Perhaps you'll even get to see me again before we do. If not, some other time.

[ With that and a playful wink, he heads out of the cabin.

Fortunately or unfortunately enough, Astarion may find that there is still a warm patch on the bed where Alucard was once laying. ]

[ It's strange, being left behind like this. Well, strange and not strange. He'd been left alone after sex plenty of times, of course. But this was...markedly different. He finds himself drawn to the warm spot in the bed after Alucard leaves, like searching for the vestiges of his presence to cling onto.

After awhile he decides this is wildly sentimental, and therefore stupid, so he wants to act out. And he decides to do that by checking around in his room. If you leave a thief in your room with unfettered access, you're basically asking for that right?

So first things first, he's going to check that chest. ]

[ Either Alucard trusted Astarion not to snoop or else he didn't mind if he did. Which is worse?

Inside of the chest, it's mostly clothing. There's a secondary set of uniform pants. Then there is a beautiful outfit, a captain's flaring coat in a color that might be blue or black, silver buckles down the middle - perhaps real silver. There is a similarly fine grey overcoat of some sort. Shirts and sundries are accounted for, as is a sachet that smells like fresh linen; the man likes to keep things dry and clean, ok.

But most interesting of all are the pieces inside that look like scales, three in total. They are a pale white, partially translucent. Each of them is a different shape and size, each of them flexible. That also means with a hard enough pressure they might snap. ]

[ Astarion runs his fingers over the embroidery of the jacket and then the silver buckles--they feel real enough, at least. The scales look delicate, so rather than picking them up, he simply touches them gently. He hasn't the faintest idea what they're for but he's got to intention of just breaking Alucard's things.

Curiosity with the chest now sated, he decides to check under the bed. People hide nice things and also lewd books under there sometimes! ]

[ Under the bed, there isn't really anything of interest aside from a fine pair of boots, the heels silvered so that it's obvious they make a great deal of noise when someone walks about in them. Someone likes to be flamboyant on occasion.

Oh. And there's also a cat down here, her long, white fur almost luminous despite the lack of light. She stares gaugingly at Astarion, in that sort of pose that might look like lounging but actually ready to swat or run. At least she isn't growling.

Other points of interest in the room might be the little desk and the shelves that are built into the wall of the cabin itself, their sides raised enough to keep things from tumbling out everywhere when the ship rocks. ]

[ He raises a finger to his lips to tell her to keep this quiet. A secret, between the two of them, you see!

But since there is no smut under here and that's very boring he'll go look at the shelves and the desk. ]

[ So let's start with the shelves since that's where Astarion started.

The first thing he will notice is this is where his hat that he stole lives, tucked among books so that it is more or less cushioned when things jostle about by dent of having a nice brim to secure; the silver feather's flare is protected this way.

The books themselves, at a glance, have to deal with history of this world and include an atlas. Actually flipping through some of the ones that have no title on the spine quickly enough reveal the smut. Astarion must have a high Investigation, being a rogue, so we'll judiciously say he can reasonably assume that Alucard probably just has a habit of buying a lot of books he doesn't necessarily know he'll like, or will be useful, all at once. He has organized them by genre and alphabetical order by author. He also doesn't seem to mind having his smut right out in the open. Enjoy, Astarion, if you want to pass some time until port. ]

[ you know what he's gonna be a little cheeky and steal one of those. I mean borrow! He'll return it when he's done. I'm sure it's sufficiency sea themed.

It's nice to see the hat is well cared for, although he sort of avoids touching it, as if it would bring back up the feelings associated with that evening. Easier to steal one of these books. He pockets it and then onto the desk. ]

[ The desk holds scrolls of sea maps, navigator's tools, even some star maps. It seems Alucard's talents are varied. There is a journal, though it's not very much filled. There are some drafts.

"Rhy, words fall short in the wake of the injustice I have done you--" and there are similar things, not just to this 'Rhy' but also 'My Prince'. Aside from obviously looking like an apology most times and maybe the beginning of one sultry draft, there isn't any actual details about what is going on over here.

There is another section for notes detailing some thoughts on the maps he's got, wondering if certain coordinates might hold something hidden or else undiscovered.

His name is there in the margin of a more exploratory page - "Astarion??"

There are a few more notes with other names here.

But looking beyond that! ( Unless you want to go back and snoop the notes? )

In the drawers of the desk, Astarion will find there is a portion he'll have to lockpick. The lowermost drawers hold bottles of wine, packed in so tight they don't rattle with the ship. Someone was collecting for a rainy day. ]

[ "Rhys," huh? That must be the complication. ]

Well, well then. Someone's been busy.

[ he's a little impressed with the number of maps and clear attempts to take this whole situation seriously, given how Alucard acts. But then again, birds of a feather, he supposes. Aside from Xenk, most of the people he's been spending time with have all been like him--charming, but also clearly putting on a show.

He's going to check out those notes first. The lock will have to come after. ]

[ It's "Rhy", ~~which is pronounced like "rye"; very cute and silly, but I don't pick the names~~.

Surprisingly enough, there are names Astarion will recognize (ooc; and excuse me bc not all these threads are done so I'm just guessing at the CR )

Jarlaxle - Style, magic, clothes, charm, tattooed ( a date is listed here ). Follow up. Corsair.
Zack - (a date is listed here) Trustworthy. Paladin.
Nimona - (a date is listed here)Crew? Chaotic, talented, clearly driven by a thrill. Tattooed.
Astarion - (the date here is the first time they met) Cursed books, expensive red wine, loves sunsets, tea, sex. Might have fucked this up? Corsair.
Xenk - (a date is listed here) Stupid. Cannot lie. Servant of "Tyr". Boisterous. Exploitable. Tatooed. ]

Edited 2023-08-28 06:58 (UTC)

[ Rhy...cute....

Astarion can't help but laugh a little at the list. It seemed that not only did they cross the same people but they both met sweet beautiful dumb Xenk. Gotta love paladins.

Curiosity with the notes satisfied, (and reminded again of their first meeting, a strange feeling twists in his gut at that), he pulls out some thieves tools to pick the lock. He's got bonuses for days to lockpicking so I imagine he can get it open. ]

Let's see what you're hiding...

[ So...

It's the really expensive liquor and wine in here. These labels look dusty as fuck on the wine. Petrichor hits Astarion as soon as he opens the drawer.

Also, there is a pouch of money here and a box containing a few more rings. ]

If only...

[ Surprising here, too, that he'd been able to amass such a collection so quickly. Game recognizes game. Alucard has definitely been stealing from other places too.

He leafs through the money and the rings but ultimately decides against taking any (even though he probably definitely deserved to) and closes the door and locks it. If Alcuard was smart enough to hide his stuff anywhere else, it's safe for now. He's not doing a deep dive here just a little bit of casual snooping.

He needs a bath pretty badly though and he still feels gross. So maybe he'll take care of that now that he's done looking through Alucard's things. ]

[ The general impression is that Alucard leaves his life out on display shamelessly, or else expected everyone who was here for nefarious reasons would just hone in on his valuables in a locked drawer.

A bath purely consists of being in sea water and bring-your-own-soap (BYOS). Actually, Astarion would have found that Alucard has some soaps; they are scented in something like the softer part of embers from a fire, the slice of silver, and something that was somehow floral yet masculine all the same. Perhaps he's experimenting. Perhaps he's collecting. Perhaps he's all these men in one way or another.

There's a hard rattle of the boat as they meet a dock, aftershocks thumping against the boardwalk. Bells ring, announcing a change-over in shift. That should be Astarion's cue to get out if he's going to. If he doesn't, Alucard is liable to show up soon. ]

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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