escordvi | « test sail »

Entry tags:

« test sail »

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

[.......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.]

I would barely call that flat bread...

[She may be slightly regretting her choice as she looks at the pictures on the menu, with the round crust bread...? stuff? covered in all sorts of things—vegetables and meats of all kinds, some fancy while others simpler looking with ingredients she's never even heard of before and not sure she would know how to pronounce is she tried.

But she's too stubborn and proud to change her mind, so this is how it's going to be.

When they both wander up to the counter, the woman behind it smiles at them both. "What can I get for ya?"

Benedikta takes a moment to look over the menu again... ... ...

...]

What is that? Mar...gherita?

[Yeah, she'll have a slice of that one???]

[How is it not flat bread? It's bread and it's flat.

But he'll be musing the options...which there are a lot of, wow. Rubbing his chin as the pelican looking fella takes Benedikta's order, he'll finally decide—]

I'll try the "Meat Lovers." Can't go wrong with that.

[The pelican fellow nods and taps it in with his wing (which is a bit remarkable to watch) before they're given a numbered card to put at their table and cups to fill whatever drink they want from the drink bar.]

Bit different from what we're used to, eh?

I have never heard of pizza in my life.

[Not even the fanciest of meals were anything like this. It was always meats and breads, stews and soups, and then cups of ale or wine to drink... and that was only after she had moved into Waloed.

She takes the paper cup, staring at it with both confusion and interest before the pelican gestures to the drink bar just around the counter's corner, and when she arrives there...

...

They are faced with a wide selection—well, wider than what she's used to—of drinks. Ones that she, once again, has never heard of.]

What is soda?

[She's almost tempted to just leave this up to Cidolfus while she goes to find a table.....]

...Not sure... Looks a bit—

[He peers at the pitchers, seeing the small air bubbles.]

Bubbly. Wanna try it?

[Really, Cid? Does she look like the type of person to enjoy bubbly drinks? Especially bubbly drinks that she has never tried before, let alone heard of?

She's just going to grab the aptly labelled pitcher of water.]

Be my guest. If you do, perhaps I'll try a sip.

[That doesn't mean she's too chicken that she won't try a tiny bit, but she will absolutely not fill a glass of it all to herself.]

[Never know.

Cid will study for a bit before shrugging and choosing one that looks the most interesting, curious to see what this is all about.]

Ah, here we go. "Root Beer." Well if it has beer in it, I'm not going to refuse.

[So with a bit of a cheeky grin, he'll pour that in his glass. But what's this? Ice? In...small consumable sizes? Different for sure, and since it seems to be free, he'll drop a few cubes in if it'll help keep the drink cool.]

[Alright well, colour her just a touch intrigued. Is it really beer, or something named that but won't actually taste anything like it?

Her gaze lingers on the cubed-shaped pieces of ice that he drops into his glass, and once he's finished with that, she'll lead the way to a table, choosing one that's at the far end of the "patio", away from the main line up and where most of the people are seated. There's a wide umbrella that stretches over it to offer some shade from the sun, and even here, it boasts the scent of sea air mixed with... is that cheese and dough?

It's certainly an interesting mix of senses being triggered here, but she isn't going to complain. Better that she gets used to it for now, she supposes, until she finds a way back.

Once she's seated across from him, she takes a sip of her water...

...

....

And stares at his glass.]

Is that really beer? It looks different.

[Cid will be taking a few glances around the establishment as they walk through, curious about it all before sitting at the table Benedikta chooses.

The fact that they are eating somewhere together, although planned, still feels... Strange. Too long to count since the last time. Yet as he glances over his own glass at her, as strange and as rough as it is, it still feels more natural than not.

And since this is the only chance he has before she inevitably meets and returns to Barnabas...]

Aye, smells sweeter, too. Doubt it has any real alcohol in it since it was out there for the taking.

[Which is a shame because he'd like to wash that bitter feeling in is throat down with something hard.]

But only one way to find out.

[A half raise of his hand as if toasting before he takes a sizable sip...

...And there will be a visible look of surprise, his eyes widening and brows raised as he pulls back to stare at it.]

Didn't know what to expect, but didn't think it would taste so sweet.

[...And taking another sip.]

Feels a bit weird, too.

[How does one describe the strange poppy, fizzy experience of a soda to someone who has never had anything like it before?]

[Yeah. She's trying really hard not to think about the fact that they are sitting in a "pizza" place sipping on drinks together dockside...

Fortunately, she has the drinks to focus on, and she sets her glass down and watches with nearly bated breath as Cid takes his first sip, her own surprise mirroring his own when she sees it. It even appears bubbly, just looking at it—nothing like the ale or wine that they've sipped on, but much more so.

And of course, curiosity gets the better of her.]

I want to try.

[She'll reach for his glass after he's taken his second sip and down a gulp...

...

....

Only for her brows to shoot up as she swallows and then spits.]

Peugh! [Her hand comes up to her mouth, and she looks like she's just been slapped in the face.] Ugh! What the fuck was that!? Why is it so... that burned...!

[He's a little surprised at her reach, though at the same time it just felt normal to hand it over to her.

...

And then he can't help but laugh at her response.]

Did it? How big of a drink did you take?

[He'll takes back the glass before she tosses it—]

[Well now, just a second—]

Not a lot!

[She's going to pull it back before he grabs it so that she can try another sip... a smaller one this time, but it's no less bubbly than the last as it goes down. Still, it is rather sweet, but not as sweet as she thought it might be when he described it? It's... different, to be sure, but...

She doesn't... hate it...?

Benedikta will hand it back this time, though.]

It's... [She gives the drink a thoughtful look.] I don't know how I feel about that.

[Oh? She's actually keeping it? He thought she didn't like, but there's a clear look of surprise as he watches before finally taking it back, looking at the drink curiously.]

That's a bit surprising.

[And he'll take another sip, a bigger one this time, and it's then that he really feels that bubbly sensation in his throat.]

But now I see what you mean by that "burn." Makes you wonder what's in it.

What flavour is it supposed to be?

[She puckers her lips with a frown, trying to make that aftertaste last long enough for her to figure out whatever the fuck this is, and whether or not she still likes it.

She almost wants to go for a third sip...]

I saw others up there like orange and lemon, but that does not taste like beer at all.

No it's almost... Syrup? No, not quite...

[He'll take another mouthful, letting it roll around in his mouth and on his tongue as he furrows his brows in thought. In the meantime, he'll hand the glass back to her before finally swallowing.]

Can't figure it out, but it's not so bad once you get used to that...weird, sharp bubbly feeling. Almost refreshing after.

Hm...

[She takes the glass when offered and mimics his gestures. Takes a sip, washes her mouth with it, the crinkle in her nose only growing deeper before the bubbles grow too overwhelming that she's forced to swallow.]

It's a little spicy, too...

[Though she can't quite boast any sort of knowledge on foods, or what sorts of spices this might have, but it's certainly not just sweet and syrupy...

And as she takes another small sip, the pelican man comes by to drop off their orders, setting the small pizzas down in front of them, and Benedikta almost chokes on the drink when she sees it—]

What...

[It's so round and the dough is so fluffy, and there is so much cheese and sauce and toppings!? She turns to the man but he's already gone after a wave of his wing, and so she looks to Cid.]

How are we supposed to eat this!?

[THERE ARE NO FORKS]

[Before he can take the drink again for another try, the pizzas are delivered and...

...

Huh.]

With your hands, judging from everyone else...

[A glance around will show people happily eating their pizzas, holding their slices in their hands. However, it does seem that others are using knives and forks... Oh?]

Hang on.

[He picks up and lifts the rolled napkin that he forgotten since they were distracted by the drink. Unrolling it reveals a knife and fork and he holds it up with a grin.]

There you are.

[Benedikta follows his gaze around to the others, and while yes, there are a few people eating it with forks and knives... most of them are eating it with their hands? And it's not as if she's averse to the idea, it's just... cut so strangely that she wonders how it's even easy to hold? And why is it cut into triangles? It's so thin, too... She has so many questions...

But she is also too stubborn not to try blending in with the crowd, so while she could very well use the fork and knife, she watches the people at the table next to them through the corners of her eyes before she pulls off her gloves and...

...

.....

Her brow furrows in concentration while she lifts a piece by the crust off the plate and just holds it there, and the cheese begins to slide off...!?!?!

So she'll use the fork to scoop up what she can... and now she's got the pizza in one hand and the cheesy fork in the other, and she looks so offended by it.]

Do people eat this often? This doesn't seem very... appetizing.

[because what the fuck]

Edited 2023-08-31 17:32 (UTC)

[Meanwhile, Cid is using his knife to better cut the slice before carefully pulling it out slowly. Holding it up with two hands, one underneath to not let it sag too much, he'll peer at it curiously, as if trying to reverse engineer what went on in creating it. Of course...genius inventor he may be, but cooking is not his forte so this is just him also trying to figure all his toppings. They didn't hold back on the different meats, huh? Bacon...some kind of meatball? Sausage, perhaps?]

Might not look pretty, but at least mine smells delicious.

[And he's hungry enough and always willing to try new things, so before his own cheese drips off, he'll bring it to his mouth and take a sizable bite.

Immediately his eyes widen and there's a low hum and nod of appreciation. He even tries to speak but manages to stop himself because, well, mouth full. But he's definitely gesturing that she needs to try this shit.]

[She knows what that look means. She's seen it many, many times but for once, she actually... hates that look with a passion. Look at him, eating it like he already knows what he's doing. Like he's a part of this world already... It bothers her to see him acclimating so well and so quickly.

But what bothers her the most about it is that she is now stuck in a weird predicament, and unlike him, she has no idea where to go from here. So...]

Ugh...

[... she ducks her head low and lifts the piece up so that it hovers right over her open mouth and tries to eat it that way. It's uncomfortable as hell to do it, and not easy at all, especially when the cheese drips over her nose rather than into her mouth...

AND ALL IN FRONT OF HIM.]

[He had been trying to work with the pizza slice, some of the toppings and cheese plopping back onto the plate, but he doesn't care. Man he really hopes Valisthea is able to make this kind of food one day the people need this why did he have to be dead—

But as he glances up at Benedikta to see how she's doing, he almost chokes on seeing her, his hand quickly covering his mouth. Though there's no use hiding the stupid smile and slight shoulder shaking.]

[She stops mid-bite while also trying to wipe away the melted cheese that's drooped over her nose to glare at him... and it would look a lot more threatening if it weren't for the fact that she had a piece of pizza hovering over her face...]

If you are going to laugh, just do it.

[Do not hold back on her account, SHE CAN ALREADY SEE YOU.

Besides—]

This is impossible. How are you supposed to keep the cheese from... dripping...

[As more of it just falls off and tumbles unceremoniously onto the other pieces on her plate.]

[Hold on, he has to somehow swallow and wipe his mouth with the napkin—

Snort—]

Just use the fork!

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject