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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

[ 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. ]

Oh, that tickles.

[ He says it as sexually as possible, because of course he does. He might even do a little theatrical shiver. When Xenk is done he pulls away and looks at his hands, magically cleansed and clean. It really is a strange marvel that two undead guys can have paladin magic cast upon them--cleansing them--without adverse side effects. He looks at his clean arm in wonder for a moment and then nods, picking up what I can only assume is a second bucket given the amount of mountain-lion-sized slugs they killed. ]

How far out from port do you think we are?

[ He hates sailing has he mentioned that recently. The fact they had to go out into the water to get attacked by the slugs....unfortunate. ]

[ That's definitely a new reaction to Xenk' magic. He's never seen that one before... but! It's all fine. It's nothing. No, Xenk doesn't worry for a second about his magic hurting either of them. Radiant though it may be, he would never use his magic to hurt one of his comrades. That Tyr allows his magic to heal him is proof of his good graces. (Or maybe he's just lucky that he's a weird partially-undead paladin, and Astarion has that tadpole that lets him walk in sunlight.)

And yeah, they totally would have had to get two buckets, that's the beauty of teamwork, see! Xenk on the other hand has plenty of experience sailing, he looks up at the clouds, and around them, gauging the distance in his mind. ]

I believe an hour, perhaps less. I will inform the crew of our success, and to set the course for Eltrut.

Great. I'll leave this here with you. I need to go eat something that doesn't taste like I was digging up a graveyard, so, if you'll excuse me...

[ Who needs one of those mouser cats when you've got a friendly vampire on your boat? ]

[ Xenk nods in understanding. Likely anyone would need a palate cleanser after that. (But hey, at least they tried?) ]

I shall keep hold of them both, while you eat.

[ Rats can't be too appetizing, but Astarion brought it up, so he really must not be against it. It's almost comforting to know that he's so willing to do that. If everyone on the ship knew, they'd probably thank him for it. Xenk will have to ask his opinion about it when he returns. ]

[ It's so weird that Xenk just meets him at what he says and doesn't groan or act like he's being weird or shy away. So much so that Astarion feels weird instead of the other way around! He doesn't like that one bit! ]

Great.

[ He stalks off to head below deck and find some rats.

It doesn't take long--Astarion returns 15 to 20 minutes later. He looks a little less pale, but not by much. The rats don't really sustain him very well, but it is a least food. ]

Well? Were they pleased with the amount of slime we managed to get for them?

[ Only poor Astarion would shy away from being accepted exactly as he is. But indeed, while Astarion goes to get his snacks, Xenk turns in their bounty of slug slime to a very pleased captain. Some adventurers shy away from the hunt because they find the creatures either too cute or too gross to kill, but Xenk and Astarion's combined work netted them a hefty sum indeed. ]

Indeed. The captain was impressed with our work.

[ Xenk holds out his hand, offering Astarion his share. 20 silvers for Xenk's 10. Not that Astarion needs to know that. ]

We were rewarded handsomely for providing pristine specimens. The slimes will be a great boon for the medics in Eltrut.

[ He takes the pieces, a little surprised to see it's all in silvers and not gold, and then pockets them in a coin purse. He's not going ask about the split--if Xenk is too stupid to take half, that's his own problem. ]

You and I may have a different definition of being rewarded "handsomely."

[ Good man, Astarion. Turns out they use silvers and coppers more than golds here. But that just means things are cheaper! ]

Is it not? A night at the inn is 2 silvers at most.

[ Which neither of them need, but that means that food is sold in coppers, and clothes and the like are probably the same, unless you want armor and weapons. Which is obviously what Xenk is thinking about here. ]

What can I say? I have expensive tastes.

[ Says the man who keeps repairing his clothing but that's neither here nor there. ]

All the more reason to return to sea tomorrow, if you wish to earn more coin.

[ Xenk smiles. That's an invitation he doesn't expect Astarion to take, but like, you know Xenk is grinding out every single quest for the sake of helping people, not for the sake of making money. ]

Taking these quests will not transform me into a good person. You do know that, right?

[ your alignment doesn't change that easily!!!! unless...? ]

[ Xenk actually chuckles. That was a good joke, Astarion! ]

I am indeed aware. Goodness must to come from within.

[ You can't make someone just change their alignment! Unless you have a Wish spell or draw a very unfortunate card from the Deck of Many Things, but let's not get into that. ]

It do not seek to change you, Astarion. I believe you already have the potential within you, with or without my intercession.

[ Or get turned by a vampire. ]

Potential is all well and good, but it still is only potential. It isn't realized. I have the potential to be anything I want to be!

[ There's a note that's almost emphatic about it, like he's trying to convince not just Xenk, but the world at large. Like he's insisting on his freedom, even he knows he doesn't have it. ]

And whether I decide to become some brownnosing do-gooder, or an absolute force of chaos stalking the streets of my city, that's my prerogative.

[ Or get turned by a vampire. Or maybe a were-raven. ]

Indeed, you do. It is your choice.

[ Xenk agrees with him most emphatically, taking the words to their full meaning. He is well-aware that Astarion has a choice. Just as he could choose to attack people, or use his powers to take blood from others against their wills. He has a choice. Just as Xenk was fortunate enough to have a choice after he fled from Thay. He could have remained in exile, he could have gone into hiding. Instead, he became a paladin and decided to help others. You know the rest. ]

I see great potential in you, Astarion. I can only encourage that you utilize it to help others -- the decision to do so is ultimately yours, and yours alone.

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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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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