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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

[ Xenk hums with a nod. If Astarion can't remember that, then he must have forgotten much of his life from before. It seems strange for an elf to forget something over what is relatively a normal amount of time, but...

With great trauma, anyone can be made to forget. And Cazador had made Astarion forget. ]

The sunsets in Thay were much the same. They do not change overmuch.

[ He's not saying 'you've seen one, you've seen 'em all,' but he is saying, 'you aren't missing out on much by not remembering.' ]

I know. But still...it is nice, isn't it? Being able to see it. Being able to see the sun at all, every single day.

[ He missed this. It feels novel and new every new dawn. ]

It is nice.

[ Xenk doesn't often use the word "nice," but Astarion is right. It's nice. For over 100 years Xenk has seen the sun rise and set, yet the sun never set quite so beautifully as when you realize that there are those who could never see it at all.

He can't imagine having to miss out on the sun every day. Certainly he would grow used to it, but he would miss it all the same. ]

It gladdens me that you are able to. It is a terrible thing to miss.

It's still only fleeting. When we finish our quest and get rid of the tadpoles and their magic, I'll lose it again. I may as well enjoy it while I can.

[ Unless...? ]

I don't know why the tadpole still works here. But I see no reason to question it, for now.

[ Xenk's frowns, minutely. It's sad to think that Astarion has so little to look forward to. That even these simple joys are fleeting. ]

It is a blessing of good fortune that it does.

[ Maybe the kind of blessing you don't want to look at too closely, though Xenk isn't against investigating either. He didn't exactly check if he was mortal when he arrived. He needed his magic like he needed his oath. But Astarion has no such tattoo, from what Xenk can tell. ]

Perhaps there will be a way. Whether to cure you of your curse, or an alternative to the tadpole.

Mine isn't really a curse the way yours is. And besides, when I asked you about remove curse, you said you'd have to die. Don't go getting all optimistic, now.

[ This is an extremely backwards way of him telling Xenk to have hope, I think. ]

Mine is a very particular curse.

[ The sentiment is indeed backwards, but Xenk kind of gets the meaning. Plus he knows he's being pedantic, maybe even almost in a joking way? And you can tell because he raises his cup to take a sip and grimaces at the cold, cold tea. Yeah, so much for that. ]

Should you lose your ability to walk in the sun, the Underdark could provide an alternative.

Edited (more him) 2023-08-30 06:23 (UTC)

The Underdark is terrible! And I'd probably get murdered by drow just for showing up as my lovely self.

[ sorry drow...at the end of the day is is indeed still a high elf after all ]

Your trepidation is not unwarranted. However, there is more to the Underdark than Menzoberranzan. I have met some perfectly kind myconoids in my journeys down below. Their ways are... strange, but they are just.

[ But yeah, Astarion isn't wrong. The drow of Menzoberranzan don't get along with anyone, but they'd probably hate a high-elf more than anything, vampire or no. And living among the myconoids would probably drive Astarion crazy, Xenk can just tell. ]

Though these are not viable options for you.

Edited 2023-08-30 06:44 (UTC)

It's almost like I just told you that!

[ he shakes his head ]

I've been to a myconoid circle. I can't even begin to imagine how boring it would be to live among them. And then there's the matter of all that singing!

[ nope! ]

At least the drow would keep it interesting.

[ Xenk nods. The myconoids and their song were quite strange. It was interesting, being spoken to from within his mind, but also deeply uncomfortable in a way he isn't in a hurry to repeat. ]

You did.

[ He is gonna point out the obvious every time he can, it's how he communicates. ]

I attempted to make contact with them once before. It went poorly.

[ As in, they shot at him with arrows and spells until he had to leave! ]

I had better luck with the deep gnomes and mind flayers, in comparison.

[ So that's saying something. ]

Edited 2023-08-30 07:05 (UTC)

If I never meet another mindflayer again it will be too soon. Yet another cut against the Underdark.

[ besides Baldurs Gate, for all of its problems, is his home. ]

There's no point to worrying about this now, anyway. We are stuck here for the foreseeable future.

[ Xenk nods. Mind flayers are understandably a sore point for Astarion. Alas, the Underdark may not suit after all. ]

Indeed. In times as these I find it best to enjoy what positives one can find. At the very least, there is no imminent danger, and our accommodations here are fair. The company is also quite pleasant.

[ There you go, he said it. He doesn't realize how he sounds at all. ]

[ Xenk isn't lying to him. And what's even stranger, Astarion hasn't really manipulated him the way he does with basically everyone else. What they've shared about their respective undeaths has all been truthful, and not for any ulterior purpose. Astarion has been honest, even when the truth has been ugly and unkind.

And, yet, Xenk still thinks his company is pleasant?

He tells himself that Xenk sees the goodness in anyone and would therefore say this about anyone but it's a lie even he doesn't believe.

Not to worry! He can ruin this. ]

Well, we certainly do make for strange bedfellows.

[ Oh, Astarion. Always shooting yourself in the foot. Xenk tilts his head in confusion. ]

Hm?

[ Bedfellows? Is that what Astarion thinks he means? Despite himself, Xenk finds that he's blushing. But why? ]

I have not bedded anyone since arriving here.

[ But Xenk isn't totally oblivious to context, that much is proven. He has spent the better part of several hours enjoying Astarion's company. They've talked of their homes and goals and sex, and all the pratfalls that come with their curses. Xenk even felt comfortable enough to tell Astarion that he deserves his freedom regardless of his past, even regardless of whether Xenk's oath says it is right. Dangerous ground.

Is there more to this? Xenk considers Astarion to be a dear friend, and the two share much in common, certainly things no one else could understand. And for all their differences, Xenk enjoys his company not for the philosophical debates or their difference in opinion, but simply to enjoy these little things that make their eternal lives have meaning. He's someone who understands, even with the pain of 200 years, that an eternity is lonely. And that maybe with another person, it could be... not so lonely.

Oh. So that's what this is. Xenk turns to Astarion as if seeing him for the first time. As if noticing the wrinkles on his face when he emotes, the deep red of his eyes and the angle of his long, pointed ears. It happens so rarely, Xenk hadn't even noticed. He was falling for Astarion.

Curious, indeed. He has no idea what to do with that. ]

Yes, we've already been over your virginity. It's a figure of speech.

[ Xenk, please!!

In this light, though, with the reflection off the water and the setting sun, Astarion is definitely nice to look out. Not so light out that he looks washed out, but not so dark that he seems almost pearlescent. There are moments he can look almost alive, and this is certainly one of them--both in his complexion and the way that he talks, animated and present. Present in the moment. Present with Xenk. ]

The blush is cute, though. And you're relatively quiet--that's a first! Have I stunned you into silence?

[ Xenk stares, finding himself at a loss for words. Astarion is so alive for all that he is dead. So active and present. So free. It grips at Xenk's chest to see him so.

Words are ill-fitting for feelings such as these, and Xenk may have been alive for over a century, but he can count on one hand the number of times he's felt attraction towards someone, and even less the number of times that that attraction coincided with a desire to be romantic with them.

He has absolutely no idea how to move forward. So much so that he's still blushing. ]

I apologize, I do not traffic in colloquialisms.

[ He's clearly distracted, though. His tea is completely cold, he can't even keep his hands busy. Instead he tries to find what to say. This revelation has struck him dumb. ]

It is, er... [ Has Xenk Yendar ever stumbled with his words? ] It seems so.

[ He's smiling. It's so weird. Why can't he control his face? ]

[ Oh.

Oh.

He knows that look. Maybe not on Xenk Yendar, but he's seen it a thousand times before. The light blush, the touch to the cold tea cup again, the stumbling over his words, the smile. The loss of control. On someone like Xenk, it is all the more obvious to him.

Some part of his brain desperately tells him to stop, tries to pull him back, that he shouldn't do this to Xenk of all people, who has been nothing but kind to him. But he leans forward, resting his chin on one hand and the other sides along the table to touch Xenk's fingers where they're so desperately looking for distraction. This is so easy for him that it's practically rote. An instinct that is easier to accept than to deny. ]

You know, if there's something you want, you need only ask.

[ His voice has dipped, lower, quieter, just for him. The intent must be obvious. Astarion fixes his attention directly on Xenk like he's the most important person in all the realms. ]

I can show you what it's like.

[ He walks his fingers along the back of Xenk's hand and up up his forearm, gentle ghosting touches meant to tease and give him a taste of what he might have if he only let himself. ]

Edited 2023-08-30 21:10 (UTC)

[ Oh, but it does feel so good to be looked at by those eyes. To be admired. To be touched. Xenk doesn't know—well, he knows Astarion has an interest in sex, and that he seeks it in others for pleasure, but Xenk doesn't know.

He feels his face warm under the attention. It isn't just attraction that Xenk feels towards Astarion. He would enjoy his company regardless of touch. Regardless of this new way that Astarion looks at him.

Once again, he's able to glean the context. He's not sure how Astarion managed to suss him out (despite being painfully obvious,) but Xenk need not ask for clarification here. It's clear what he's offering. The question is, of course, does he accept? ]

I would not presume.

[ Ever the gallant knight, but really, Xenk just doesn't have a clue. He's felt attraction so rarely. And allowed himself affection—true affection, even less. Astarion is not a simple mortal who will die from heartbreak, who will bore a mark into his soul the likes of which Xenk could not recover from. He is a man much like Xenk. And he is his friend.

And Xenk is a fool. A lovesick, idiotic, Jane Austen/Bridgerton fucking fool. He takes Astarion's hand in his, gazing right back into his eyes, voice just as low. ]

Know that I value our friendship dearly, Astarion. If these feelings would affect you negatively then I ask that you warn me, that I might cast them out.

[ It's like watching a mage cast a fireball at an unsuspecting room of goblins. He wants to look away, he wants to stop himself--and yet, it's also so horribly interesting. And he knows he won't stop, even against his better judgment.

Xenk takes his hand and speaks such pretty words and Astarion smiles softly, listening as he talks. When he finishes speaking, Astarion laughs light and gentle. Not at Xenk like he so often does, but fond. ]

I don't think feelings work like that. They cannot be extinguished as a flame. But even if they could, how could I think ill of you for something I am offering?

[ It is unfair, perhaps. What Astarion is offering is sex. What Xenk is speaking of is something much bigger, much more important. Xenk worries only about how death might affect him, but he doesn't think about the other kinds of heartbreak that even immortals can cause one another.

And yet, Astarion does it anyway. Even though he knows he will hurt Xenk. Even though he can never be the person Xenk thinks he is or wants him to be. He offers because it is what he knows best. Part of him, perhaps, still thinking that it will solidify their bond and cause Xenk to be devoted in every sense of his oath to him. But for once, that isn't even his main goal.

Astarion does it simply because he can. ]

[ Astarion's words put him at ease. Even if feelings don't work like that, Xenk could make them work like that. Not through magic or anything unscrupulous, but through things like meditation, distance, and time. Time is something they have plenty of. He's no stranger to holding himself back, or convincing himself he's not in pain. He's a paladin, repression is practically baked in. ]

As you say.

[ Xenk grips that hand, bewitched by Astarion's knowing words, and simple promise. His fond laugh that speaks of comfort and familiarity. Astarion is very skilled, after all. He won't think ill of Xenk for his inexperience. He won't think ill of Xenk if he's strange or unnatural or forgets to breathe. Xenk relaxes minutely, the slightest shift in his always-solid posture.

Surely, Astarion will take care of him. He is kind. And he is good. And Xenk trusts him. Xenk doesn't know what this means, or what his feelings are, in words, but he feels warmth bloom from the contact. He's blushing still, as his dark eyes roam Astarion's face. Not for signs of duplicity or deceit, but to take him in. To see him. All of him.

He can look, at least. Whether he sees is another thing entirely. ]

Will you show me?

[ The words are soft, his lips barely parted. His tone level, yet pleading. He really is inexperienced. But he trusts Astarion. Astarion knows what he is, more than anyone. He would not offer if his experience were not freely given, nor if he felt Xenk was wrong or his advances were unwanted. ]

Edited (wordier because xenk) 2023-08-31 02:55 (UTC)

Of course.

[ He squeezes Xenk's hand and stands up, still holding onto him, a gentleman to assist him in getting out of his chair. It's not too far back to the inn from here. Funny, he'd made this exact walk recently with Alcuard, only to be turned down when they got there.

Xenk won't do that to him. When Xenk stands, he leans forward to kiss his lips, a gentle touch that he knows makes a person like Xenk melt. He is careful with his fangs, not because he needs to hide them but because this kiss is meant to be chaste. Something to warm him up with. ]

[ It's rare indeed for Xenk to be led, rarer still for someone to know that he needs the lead here. But he does not need to be perfect here, like this. He always manages it, or so people tell him, but it's not like he tries. He's just himself.

And so he stands, taking that gentle kiss and closing his eyes. His perfect posture relaxes yet further, his lips so warm with the contact and the taste that he feels it throughout his entire body, vibrant and insisting that he follow—that he see this through, and get more of what Astarion has to give. ]

You're warm.

[ Astarion barely pulls pulls away, speaking the words quietly against his lips as if moving away would be too much now. An echo of when Xenk had told him how cold he was.

He rests his free hand on Xenk's chest to feel his beating heart. ]

Incredible.

[ another kiss to his lips, then his jaw, then his earlobe, his fangs gracing his skin just a touch on the last one before he speaks again. ]

Don't be scared, Xenk Yendar. I'll take care of you.

[ with that he pulls away so he can lead him back to the inn ]

[ Xenk's heart certainly speeds up for this, with Astarion's breath against his lips. He licks his lips as if to taste it, as if to know more of him—to have more.

He smiles. Xenk may at times run a bit colder than your average person, but here with Astarion's cool touch and warm praise, he feels alight. The trail of kisses to his ear leaves him shivering, and the hint of fang is enough to make him gasp. ]

I am not afraid.

[ Xenk's free hand grasps at the one on his chest, chasing the touch as Astarion pulls away. Xenk wants that more than anything now. The real Astarion, the sharp fangs and the cold touch. He isn't afraid of what he'll do to him. He knows he's a good person. He knows, even being a vampire spawn, that Astarion is good.

Xenk has nothing to fear. He follows Astarion willingly, leaving the café with eyes only for the spawn. ]

I believe you, Astarion.

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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im just gonna do a little cw unhealthy relationships to sex

oh astarion wait till you see my reverse card

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