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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

[Perhaps he shouldn't be so surprised she would pick something out for him after she did so with the case earlier, but there's still a little bit of one before he looks and takes it with a grin.]

Aye, that will do me. Don't need anything too fancy.

[Like the ones that have three satchels or four different pockets and five metal rings and clips attached to them...and other holders that he's not really familiar with.]

I thought so.

[There's just the lightest aversion of her eyes, not quite looking at him, but enough that she can catch the way he grins when he accepts it. There's a strange bubble of pride that grows in her chest knowing that it's the same for her—like him, she still hasn't forgotten the kind of man he was, and still is.

He never did need things fancy.]

It... suits you...

[He's already testing it out, looping it through the belt and sliding his phone inside.]

You always did have a good eye.

[The words slip out naturally, partly because he's still preoccupied in adjusting it to the right spot so it wouldn't hinder his movements.]

See anything else you need?

[Can he stop complimenting her, please? It's making all this very difficult for her. Thanks.

She's about to tell him that no, she is finished here—she probably didn't even need this holster for her device, but it is handy to have, she will say that—before something small catches her eye. The way that it glimmers in the sun.

Wordlessly, Benedikta reaches out for it, tugging on the end of the string with her fingers to unhook it from the display with something of a grin...

...

....

Between her fingers now dangles a small charm—a brown bear with a bowtie.]

[Honestly he thought she was done, so when she reached out for something....

....

....???

He can only stare at the charm questionably.]

...Didn't think you were into teddy bears anymore.

[There's a flash of colour in her cheeks, quickly shaken way by a loud huff.]

I'm not.

[How dare he call her out like that?

She'll shove the charm in his direction, landing it against his chest with a firm bump of her knuckles. Yes, she meant for it to ache just a bit...]

This one is for you.

[For several reasons. Reasons that she would never dare say aloud anymore. While he would tease her, call her a duck for following him around everywhere in their earlier days at Stonhyrr together, Benedikta would often times think of him as a bear. Protective, fearless, fierce, but when it came down to it... she could feel how much he cared for her back then. It was part of why she fell in love with him in the first place—and why she was so hurt when he left her.

And let's not even get started on the other reason—]

[Oof he felt that one!

But it's not as surprising as her saying she chose this for him.

...Okay, it could be a joke, but that's his thing, not hers. But just in case—]

You really want me to use this?

[CAN SHE BLAME THE SKEPTICISM IN HIS VOICE... But he is taking it before she can take it away—]

[Despite the smirk, she's not joking, so when he questions her again, she tries to take it back, but he grabs it first before she can...]

Well, if you'd rather not, then I will put it back...!

[And now she's defensive about it, glaring at the bear as if it had just shot her the dirtiest look first.]

[Oh.

Well now he really wants to keep it.]

No, no, I think it's quite charming.

[....He is realizing he just punned there a beat late, as evident by the delayed chuckle and slight duck of his head as he holds up the bear just out of her reach in case she tries to grab it.]

And since you picked this out, only fair I do the same.

[Only there's something of a wicked grin as he turns to the display, having already seen the perfect one. And of course. It's a duck. A green one. One that he'll hold out in front of her.]

[Oh, she would slap him for that stupid play on words if she wasn't already too busy trying to grab it back, but when he lifts it out of her reach and her fingers grasp at air, she just swears at him under her breath and falls back.

Only to lower her gaze when she catches sight of the green duck.]

This again? Will you ever drop it?

[She is not that person anymore. Not the woman who follows him around like a small duckling would—she is the one who is followed.

Yet, in spite of her snappy remark, she quickly extends a hand to take it from him.]

[And he's just going to continue smile cheekily at her—especially when she takes it.]

Yet it's now in your hands.

[In her hands and in a protective fist.]

That isn't what I asked.

[And Benedikta is going to turn on her heel and lead them towards the vendor, who is just finished ringing up another customer, and she can see the way his shoulders immediately straighten, and eyes go wide when he spots her approaching looking none too pleased, a light and troublesome flush colouring her cheeks now that her back is to Cid.]

We will take these.

[The weird duck seller is very pleased to see the numbers of purchases, and Cid glances at Benedikta before he steps up to place his arm against the top of the counter.]

And you wouldn't happen to have some kind of "sweetheart deal," would you?

[A friendly wink as he ignores whatever face Benedikta is making while he pulls out the coin purse the bird on the ship had given them.]

[She does make a face at him—affronted and absolutely baffled that he would go so far as to ask...

...

"Ah, well of course! Anything for a pair of lovebirds looking to match~"

Were it anyone else, she might have changed her tune when she learned that it was a two for one special and they would essentially be getting one of each set for free... but this is Cidolfus, of all people. To be mistaken for lovebirds, as this duck man seems so keen on calling them...

She stalks away, feeling both annoyed and flustered by the whole thing, but she does wait aside for him to finish, her back turned so that he can't see how she's looking at the little green duck in her palm and remembers that she still has that pendant in her pocket...]

[She may not be facing him, but he can imagine her expression; and while he shouldn't be amused, there's no hiding that light smile as he pays for his set, her own being the one that will be essentially free.]

Thank you kindly.

[A nod of his head as he pockets everything and then pauses as a thought occurs to him. Leaning in closer to the weird duckman, Cid speaks in a quiet voice, asking for directions to something. And once he has the answer, he nods and thanks again with a wink before stepping back to Benedikta.]

Right, how about some lunch then?

[He actually startles her this time when he comes up behind her—this cursed lack of magic makes it harder for her to sense the changes in the winds—and she nearly drops the little duckling out of her hand when she tries to hide it instead.

How dare he...]

Lunch?

[Asked as if that is the most outlandish thing ever... because it is, and she rolls her eyes.]

Are you trying to woo me again, Cidolfus? Because it isn't going to work—

[Right on cue, there's a loud, low grrrrrrrrowl from her stomach.]

[Just a knowing look as he glances down at her stomach...

And while he won't say anything about that, he will answer her question.]

Would you prefer if I were?

[NOT A YES...BUT NOT A NO. Really he knows better—too early for that. At most he's just trying to shove his foot back in the damn door, but he's not going to force too much, either... Well. Okay maybe a little forcing with Barnabas around.

But he knows time will be needed—for both of them. So right now he's just... Get a feel, really.]

[Well, that growl certainly undermined any confidence, sarcasm, or pettiness that she might have tried to convey, so she can only answer with a grumpy sulk.]

Do not kid yourself.

[But she is hungry. She can't remember the last time that she ate a proper meal during her travels. The Dhalmekians did provide some comfort, though their cheeses and breads and even their wines left much to be desired while they were there. They claimed they brought out the best for the King, but did they truly? They were in the Nysa Stronghold, not back in the Capital.

And since then, it's been hunted meats that her men could find, split amongst all of them. After all that fighting and priming, it should be no surprise that she is hungry... and she isn't surprised at all.

Just annoyed that it had to happen in his presence. Still, survival comes first.]

And? Where do you suggest we go?

[He just looks at her for a moment before he nods down towards some shops and open market stalls.]

Words is there are some good restaurants and smaller diners ahead. May not be the most prestigious, but I think at this point some warm food will do just as well.

[He is trying oddly hard to stick with her, isn't he? Ever since running into her again outside of that tattoo parlour, it hasn't escaped her notice how keen and friendly he has been. Should she be suspicious? Or should she chalk it up to the very same reason that she has stuck with him? Though it's doubtful—he was always much better at this sort of thing than she has ever been, as she thinks back to everything that just happened inside of that shop.

So what need would he have for her?

All questions that continue to swim in the back of her head as she looks in the direction he gestures to...]

You're paying.

[... and that's all she says as she walks off in said direction towards the markets and these supposed food places.]

[Needs her to remember who she should really be hanging with and it's not that psycho tyrant Barnabas—]

Was planning on it.

[A cheeky wink as he walks alongside her.]

But lady's choice.

[She's going to ignore that wink with all her might.

But once they are further down the street—far enough that she can take a better look at the sort of places there are to eat, Benedikta realizes something.]

... It's mostly fish. [But more than that:] What are all these other places?

[What are tacos??? Or fries? Burgers???? Pizza?]

[.......Huh. Cid can't help but look a bit curiously himself, not recognizing half of these words.]

Haven't the foggiest. But can't hurt to try, especially if this is the native cuisine of this world.

[She can hardly remember the last time she felt so overwhelmed by food. Well, the last time would have been the very first warm meal she had in Waloed after being taken there, but at least then, she knew what everything was. Here? She's never heard of any of this stuff.]

... Lady's choice doesn't mean anything if I don't know what I'm choosing.

[Ugh!!! So, she just points to whichever one is closest.]

This one.

[Which so happens to be a "pizza" place.]

[Cid looks up at the sign]

Pi...z..za?

[A slight cant of his head and furrow of his brows before he steps up towards it. It seems to be a small diner type of place, with a lot of outdoor seating. It even has pictures everywhere and they can at least see the other orders people have on their tables.]

Smells good at least. Looks like it's some kind of flat bread with a lot of different things on it, so can't really go wrong.

[HE'S FOR IT so he's gonna walk right up to the counter.]

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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