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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

[ Astarion peers around his shoulder to watch this magic at work. I mean sure they have printing presses but this tiny typewriter is something new. Is there a fey in it?? How does it do this? ]

So what is it?

It's as our perfectly overly helpful friend here said. Apparently I've got a ship cabin here, which means you should as well, amongst a bit of other information.

[There was also what looked like it was supposedly some phone ID, and the address for an apartment somewhere on land if he had to guess.

His interest was more on the map; it was of the ship, leading somewhere deeper below decks somewhere around the area both of them had been in. A little luck, even if irritated over how close he might have come to is gear.

Reaper had tilted his head a bit so Astarion could peer, wasn't anything he felt the need to hide-]

You up to give it a try?

Huh.

[ He reads over Reaper's list. Nothing seems magically bad about it or anything. No cambion-written clauses cover the page with their trickery. So he goes over to the typewriter to type in his name. A little slow going, but determined!!!

And then ding he gets his paper read out. ]

Interesting.

[Huh was a pretty fitting reaction for this.

Stepped aside to give Astarion room while still looking over the map of the ship, tracing back a bit to where he could guess the area he had been in. Another walk past the chickens wouldn't be terrible, he supposed.]

I suppose this is something to help get us started in some little way. 'Free' room and board for the trouble of being shunted off here.

[Tone dry, because he certainly didn't believe anything would be free, but that was some other details they'd likely find out soon enough.]

Get a map for where your things are supposedly waiting for you?

Nothing in life is ever free.

[ This is so suspicious?? It's almost worse that they're being so low key about it, really.

But he does indeed have a map, which he looks over. ]

Could be a trap, but, admittedly, the reward would be worth it.

[ He's just now realizing he's in these hideous rags, this is mortifying!! ]

So many certainly enjoy that little catch with the word.

[Part of the crew now, were they? This could give some further weight to what the cook told the both of them, but there was still irritation he wasn't about to try and snuff out.

A hand smoothed down over his beard slowly.]

Could always be a trap. Rather have my gear all the same, and according to this my things are on this ship.

[Was dangerous without it, even if some of his abilities felt like they were smothered. Could feel them still there, but couldn't access them. More reason to be careful.]

We have some time to think about it before we get to shore, I suspect.

[ He's definitely going to go find his stuff, though, how can he not? ]

More than likely.

[The other map and paper were tucked into a pocket of those ragged pants, nose wrinkling just a little over it. Wasn't enjoying the fact that his face could be seen, but at least the damned shirt had a hood, he supposed. Small mercies.

So used to the weight of it and the rest of his gear.]

Might have to decide if playing nice is worth it or not in that time, too.

If they're all going to be like this one, it doesn't seem like putting up a fuss will even matter.

[ And what a let down that is! If they're going to cause a scene, someone should at least appreciate it! ]

[There was a grand, dramatic sigh- even if there was also a little bit of black 'smoke' that curled into the air with it. Played up just a bit, rolling up the map of the ship slowly.]

It really isn't fun when no one reacts, not even putting up a fight.

[Just the cook getting made fun of by a few other people of the crew for getting caught slacking.]

Does imply it's happened often enough, in some regard.

The level of nonchalance is really off putting!

[ he's pouting a little!! This was supposed to be fun and it is not fun ]

I guess all that's left now is to get back to shore and try and find our things. And, what, sit here and stare at each other until we do?

Off putting- but telling of something else that may need to be worried about.

[Something that was growing troubling- but also had the reds of his eyes glowing briefly as his gaze drifted towards the door. A few people passing by that open doorway. The twitch at the corner of his mouth growing into a smile that could easily be predatory, or that of someone putting a few pieces together. Getting a real good look.

Oh, this could be fun after all- once he had gotten himself a bit more settled and felt less bare.

His head tipped a bit-]

Could be worse, not a terrible sight to stare at- but I think giving the hull's contents a second look may be well worth it, unless you want a quick run above deck.

You're not so bad yourself, although that hood keeps things a little under wraps, doesn't it?

[ I mean, he's not going to miss the opportunity to flirt! But then it's back onto business. ]

Fine, fine, let's take another look. I'd rather stick to the shadows, all things being equal.

I'm used to wearing a mask- could say I'm not always looking my best. [To put it lightly, his face could at times forget what it was. He did tug that hood back for just a moment; red eyes looked far more brown/hazel in a bit of light.

Still, there was long hair tied back under there, other parts falling just out from under the hood. A mix of white and darker curls, beard well trimmed and more white than not as well. Scars told a hell of a story, as did burn marks at one side of his face—

Hood was pulled forwards again, as if having given some sneak peek before his attention turned back towards the door. Shadows causing that bit of a red glow to his eyes once more. His face wouldn't give away an identity with this man at the very least.]

Shadows easier to eavesdrop from, got a feeling there's quite a few more inclined the same way we are aboard this ship. A reason our actions may not have been as surprising as they should be- may be normal here.

[Better to get out of the room, might be able to dig up something worthwhile.]

[ Astarion savors the look he gets -- fairly obviously. He's not put off by the scars, far more interested in the rest of him.

He's a little surprised at how his eyes change with the hood. Astarion's own red eyes were permanent (hes pretty sure, he can't be certain since he doesn't have a reflection).

Back into the shadows and out of the room they go, and Astarion nods. ]

There may be more of us here. We should be cautious.

[ they could be scared and, like the two of them, attack on sight. ]

[Reaper could hardly guess what he was going to look like at times- and it hardly mattered given how covered up he was a majority of the time. Outside of test chambers and whatever else a certain doctor decided to run him through, one of the very few that got to see him out of his gear more often than not.

He really, really wanted it back—]

At least they may be at a little more of a disadvantage than we are- unless they've been here a bit longer.

[A possibility to factor in.

Did have a destination in mind within the ship now at least.]

It's a fair concern. It sounds as if people are pulled here entirely at the random.

[ which would be weirder if the same fucking thing hadnt happened to him with a mindflayer ship. ]

Entirely, even when in the middle of things that has nothing to do with...

[There was a vague hand gesture to everything—]

I was in a damned desert.

[Of course that was Cairo for you at times, depending the area.]

Well at least now you don't have to worry about water.

[ He doesn't want to think about what he was in the middle of. How close he had been to finally getting what he wanted. ]

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.

['Smoke' curled in the air from his own shadows, keeping near his feet, head tipping as he did notice a bit more life around the ship. Laughter in the distance, movement overhead.

Willingly returning deeper.]

Not that I have to worry much about that.

Why, are you some kind of magical being?

[ the smoke and shadows kind of gave that one away but he can play dumb to try and get a clearer answer! ]

[Well, there was a laugh but there was no amusement anywhere in it as he peered around a corner, fingers curled along the edge.]

Some say I'm death itself, which is suiting-ly dramatic if you ask me.

[Save he felt less, in such a strange way at the moment—]

Could say I'm a man someone wouldn't let die, or else she would lose her favorite test subject.

[Felt that more and more as time passed, after all. Not a yes or no, given the magical being bit.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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