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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

I shall keep watch.

[ Not that he expects anyone to come. And stealing is wrong, so Xenk would take offense to anyone trying. Don't worry about the errand thing though, that's just cause you're his friend and you're a good person, Astarion. ]

I am immune to most poisons, though the acid broke skin.

[ Underneath the caustic green, Xenk bleeds a dark, nearly black red. He splashes some water on the wound to rinse away any of the acid, leaving several dark, blotched wounds and raw flesh that look like burns more than anything. He doesn't need a Divine Sense to know the wound would feel necrotic to someone with an eye for it.

He hasn't answered Astarion's question, though. ]

Likely my flesh fought off the acid's spread. [ So both, kinda. When acid met blood, it burned instead of going deeper? ] In an average human, this would have debilitated my hand entirely.

[ He's gonna go ahead and use Cleansing Touch on the wounds, first. That should at least... well, it doesn't actually look much better, but the bleeding stops, so that means the pain would have stopped, if Xenk actually felt it.

He wiggles his fingers. ]

Ah, good. Sensation has returned.

[ The bleeding stopped but there's still a couple drops of blood and Astarion reaches over like he's going to touch him but stops just short as he seems to remember his manners and that he shouldn't just touch people without asking. ]

May I?

[ They already had the discussion about Xenk offering his blood, and it's not like he's in any pain either. At this point Astarion's question really is just a courtesy. Xenk isn't surprised by it though, he knows Astarion is kind. :) ]

Feel free.

[ He'll offer up his hand. He can heal it at any time, and it's not like it can get worse. ]

[ Granted permission, Astarion runs a finger through the blood that yet lingered on Xenk's arm. He gets a couple drops of it and then brings it up to his lips, his tongue darting out to taste.

His expression contorts in disgust. Sure, he'd done this himself but it's the principle of the thing! He had to find out! And it is TERRIBLE. Xenk's blood is TERRIBLE. ]

Gods, that's disgusting.

[ Sorry Xenk. ]

You taste like death.

Edited 2023-08-27 06:48 (UTC)

[ Xenk watches, mostly just curious. He'd assumed as much, so he isn't surprised or bothered by Astarion's reaction. Whatever 'holiness' his Paladin Oath might grant him isn't enough to negate his curse. Nor to change the fact that, while he may be mostly alive, mostly alive means he is still undead. ]

I had expected that would be the case.

[ But hey, way to try it, Astarion! That does answer their questions. Can't believe these guys are totally normal about this. But it tells them both new things they didn't know, so it really is a win here?

That fact now confirmed, Xenk places his other hand over his wrist and heals the wound, radiant light glowing for just a moment as the skin heals itself shut. ]

I apologize for the... taste.

[ If that makes sense? Such a small amount shouldn't poison him or anything, but he can still feel for his friend. ]

Edited (subject line shenanigans) 2023-08-27 06:59 (UTC)

Don't apologize, that just makes it worse.

[ Because it makes him feel weirdly guilty, really, for having said so in the first place. Even with the one drop he can still taste it on his tongue and it is not great! He should not have tried this. But at least he's not taking damage. ]

Let's just get the slime.

[ Xenk shrugs, a smile inching its way onto his lips. Don't worry about the guilt, Astarion. He really doesn't mind it. And now that he knows for sure, at least they can say they tried! It is pretty curious how, despite him being what he is and having this almost necrotic blood, that he doesn't take damage from his own spells. But maybe being a paladin really has kept him from turning further. Or maybe it's a complete coincidence, who can say.

Either way, this was definitely the strangest bonding moment two undead dudes could ever have. Xenk tosses the rest of the (now bloody) water in the bucket overboard and sets it down on the deck once more. ]

Indeed. These creatures' deaths will benefit many lives.

[ Ain't that just beautiful? ]

And we'll get our gold.

[ that's the only reason to ever help anyone Xenk!!!

Also as he said earlier he's not helping, so it's all on the paladin. He did his part. ]

[ Xenk shakes his head. Ah, Astarion. When will you embrace your inner kindness and admit you like helping people. For Xenk, it's about that—plus the benefit of a job well done. It just feels good! But any reason is a good reason to do the right thing, so he won't complain and will instead get to work.

Sure enough, Xenk pulls out his dagger from his sword and steps over to one of the corpses. The gland for the right kind of slime should be... somewhere around here. Good thing he paid close attention to the explanation.

He'll really just work like this, hope Astarion doesn't mind watching him gut a weird slug. The noises are... not pleasant. It's a very sticky process. Frankly, it's pretty gross. ]

That is absolutely disgusting. It smells awful, too.

[ don't mind his commentary! He is here to help! ]

[ Xenk looks up from his work, pulling out a really gross-looking gland. It should be the right one, as he pulls the bucket over and cuts it open, their much-desired slime spilling forth.

He's direct because of course he is. Though there is some amusement in his voice, like, 'my brother in Tyr, you are the one who won't help.' ]

We would be rid of this work sooner, we're we both extracting slime.

[ On the other hand, it is pretty gross. Xenk's hands are covered in slug guts. It's not pretty. But they're doing a good thing! That's all that matters. ]

Edited (fancier) 2023-08-27 16:29 (UTC)

[ not your brother in Tyr, bro!!! Only your brother in being undead.

Astarion looks down at his nails and contemplates this. ]

I think I'm content to simply watch.

[ ehhh, it's the same thing right. Xenk shakes his head once more. ]

It seems the fair and equitable arrangement would be for each of us to do half the work. Yet, we both engaged the creatures.

[ Do you hear the math going on in his head, Astarion? Cutting your portion might be the lawful thing to do. But Xenk moves on to the next slime, letting that statement hang in the air. ]

[ No one has ever accused him of being lawful, but he can be convinced to do things without much hassle. So he pulls out his (non-radiant) dagger and walks up to one of the slugs, though his displeasure remains Very Obvious, Thank You. ]

Fine.

[ For all he was dragging his feet about this, he doesn't need to ask Xenk where to find the slime. He'd obviously been paying attention. His knife work is clean and precise, practiced. ]

Ugh, the smell is even worse up close.

[ But he does it anyway, collecting the gland and then squeezing it into the bucket. ]

[ See, the fact that he was paying attention goes to show that Astarion really was invested in this. Which goes to show that he cares about it. Which is why Xenk feels nothing but satisfaction at having convinced Astarion to do his part.

A job well done should be done all the way. Xenk smiles to himself as he keeps working, and indeed together they'll get this done in half the time! ]

It is quite pungent.

[ He says, smiling to himself as he works on a gross slug carcass. Look, it's fine. They'll get a nice bath at the inn when they get back into Eltrut, it'll be well-deserved. ]

Well I'm glad this is so enjoyable for at least one of us.

[ Not for him though!! But he moves onto the next slug all the same, although his hands feel so fucking gross. ]

[ You're just gonna keep making him smile with that attitude, Astarion. Xenk rips out and squeezes another gross gland's worth of slime into the bucket. ]

It is worthwhile task. The smell may be most disagreeable, but the reward will outweigh the effort.

[ He means the greater good, not the money. In fact, keep working on that and maybe he'll give you some extra gold for your trouble, Astarion!! It pays to be nice. ]

I'm not like you! I don't take satisfaction in the greater good.

[ ugh and the coin will definitely not be worth this!! ]

[ Xenk gives Astarion a long look. It's like he can see into your heart, Astarion.

Well, he can't. But he knows, deep down, that Astarion could get there. Maybe he isn't there just yet. ]

Perhaps not yet.

[ And with that he goes back to gutting another gross slug corpse. This is just shit he says. ]

You may not yet believe in yourself, but I do.

[ And you know he's not just saying that, because Xenk means everything he says. ]

[ Don't say that about him!! It's hard to hide the blush that creeps up his neck and ears in the ceaseless sunlight out here. ]

You're going to end up disappointed.

[ ok last slug de-slimed and they did it. ]

Can we go back now? We killed all of them and dissected them. This is the least fun thing I've ever put my hand in.

[ It's ok Astarion, Xenk will play the long game. He will never give up. He has the insistence of a puppy. He is that stupid. ]

I don't believe I will.

[ Astarion's lewd comment flies over his head. Well, Xenk gets it, but you know, he doesn't really think about what kind of "fun" things he could be sticking his hands in. He rubs his hands as clean as he can -- I mean, let's be real. If he can cast Lesser Restoration, he can probably clean their hands with magic. ]

Give me your hands. Then we will deliver our spoils and obtain our bounty.

Why?

[ Maybe it's surprising that he demands to know, now, when he'd been so quick to touch Xenk before. ]

[ It is somewhat surprising, but Xenk always answers direct questions. And whatever Astarion's reasons, it wouldn't be the first time someone questions Xenk's odd comments. ]

Your hands and mine are covered in the entrails of these monsters. I can cleanse them.

[ Astarion shifts a little uncomfortably but ultimately does as he's asked. ]

How kind of you to waste a precious spell slot on me when you could just use water.

[ Again he does not know how spell slots work ]

[ Xenk is careful with his touch. It seems Astarion prefers to initiate contact, given that he'd had no qualms about them holding hands last time. (They did not hold hands, they touched hands. It's different.) ]

The spells I would have expended in smiting the creatures, I gladly use now.

[ His hands glow for a moment, and with a few quietly muttered words, their hands and arms (and clothes) are cleansed and clean. Xenk releases Astarion's hands as soon as he's done. ]

There now. [ He picks up the bucket, ready to head out. ] Let us yield the spoils of our labors.

[ He's definitely splitting this 70/30 with Astarion because that's..... how he is. ]

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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theyre so fucking weird

just two dudes looking at weird blood (cursed)

this is one of those big hit F5 and then try for science moments

you had to try it for science, then you immediately reload

slams f8

every day with astarion tbh

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i hate him...i hate him so much

and it all flies over xenk's pretty head

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