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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

( ROYAL FORTUNE )

arrival; 18+
[ ooc; Not actually a smutty prompt, just not going to hit on any kids. ]

[ Alucard is lucky enough to wake up in a bed. Before realizing where he is, however, he's thinking he got lucky in a far different way when he stirs in his slumber and finds himself bumping up against another body. ]

Rhy...?

[ The last thing he remembers is standing atop a table at an inn and giving a victory speech after the Essen Tasch. The prince had been on his mind, but the both of them had certain appearances to make and things between them were still... tenuous at best. And that wasn't even considering that Kell would likely have guards posted along some of the secret passages, the little copper terrier. Still, he'd wanted to go.

But it seems he must have had more to drink than he thought somehow. His vision even still seems off as he begins to take in his surroundings. The clothes he's wearing are the right color - blue and silver - but the style of them is a foreign one, not to mention ill-fitting. This is one of the stranger positions Alucard's ever woken up in, not that he'd ever admit it after making his reputation as a worldly rogue. He's definitely woken up in worse.

Well, time to give whoever he got irresponsible with the long goodbye and hope to the saints he can get back on track. Alucard's fingers trail up the uniform sleeve of his bedmate and he moves to scoot close enough to try and settle his chin on a shoulder. His tone is a deep, playful one. ]

Remind me, was I Captain or Master last night?

[ Just because it isn't an Arnesian naval uniform doesn't mean he hasn't understood the assignment, or at least thinks he had. ]

exploring;

[ The first time Alucard stepped on to a proper naval vessel, it hadn't been by choice. Since then he'd mostly avoided the opportunity, but once again it seems he's back in the same sort of predicament. Well, no, this time he's been given liberty to walk around the ship. So after going through what has undoubtedly become routine orientation to these sailors, he will avail himself to that freedom.

The ship is impressive, he'll certainly give it that; it could probably fit several of his own inside of it. After wandering below decks and poking his head into any open room, he'll head out on deck.

There, he leans against the gunwale of side of the ship, his eyes narrowed out towards the sea and one of his hands rubbing at his wrist over the cuff of his ill-fitting uniform. At some point he has to squint, however. ]

Saints, I think I might be going blind.

[ He reaches out a hand for whoever is near or passing by - a light touch to gain attention more than anything. ]

Tell me, do you see a turtle out there?

seaslugs;

[ While Alucard is absolutely a cat person, he fortunately doesn't see the resemblance in these slugs. He will be heartlessly ( well, might depend on your definition ) poking these things through their heads with a short sword, so if anyone is having trouble going through with the deed, he seems the right person to ask.

Otherwise, he'll turn his head and make a seemingly casual mention to someone who is in the process of getting close enough to one of the slugs: ]

Careful. I hear they spit. From both ends.

[ He has not heard that. He is trying to entertain himself. ]

( ELTRUT )

inkwave;

(a)
No.

[ Is the first thing that comes out of Alucard's mouth as soon as the reason for being taken to this tattoo parlor comes out of is guide's mouth. It's fleeting, but his expression speaks of disgust before he's back to adopting a curious smile. ]

What I mean to say is - why would that be necessary?

[ But whatever the explanation out of the NPC may be, Alucard isn't satisfied. He'll turn towards whoever is behind him in line. ]

What do you make of all this?

(b)

[ Though he's decided he won't be partaking in any of these tattoos for now, Alucard can't help being ~~nosy~~ curious. If someone steps up to take the plunge, he'll be casually flipping through a book of designs nearby when he asks: ]

Would you mind if I watched?

Edited 2023-08-20 02:07 (UTC)

Honestly, it seems suspect to me.

[ Astarion's still not sure why he's even in this line. He eyes the tentacles on the octopus warily, as if getting too close might mean he would get snatched up by them. ]

Having to let it mark our bodies just for what? A few cantrips? I'd rather just find a scroll.

[ He gives a gesture with a hand as if to say 'exactly, there it is'. ]

And if the mark binds magic to a person, what else of theirs might it bind?

[ Bold of them to stand this close to this octopus and bitch, honestly. Alucard's kind of hoping it takes offense in the way of trying to correct him and he can glean knowledge that way. He's not used to reading cephalopods, not like he is the wariness on the pale elf's face. ]

It's too convenient a solution. It's as if no one even wants try working it out on their own.

Edited 2023-08-20 03:13 (UTC)

Precisely. Here we are, spirited away to this realm and defenseless, and we're supposed to simply accept the idea that some magical rune given to us by an octopus is entirely harmless?

[ Look, he's many things but he's not a fool. ]

For all we know, we'll just be indoctrinated into a cult.

[ It's been a long few weeks. Don't ask. ]

[ It's definitely earning a curious look. The sapphire seemingly embedded over Alucard's left brow winks as he arches it. ]

We're already conscripted onto ships.

[ Different ones it seems, Alucard observes, as he gives Astarion a once-over. Alucard at least managed to find a better fitting uniform, which honestly he doesn't hate, but he's eager to get his things back soon. ]

Unless you plan to stay on the turtle?

[ Astarion has, at least, obtained his own things. It is one of the few things that has gone his way so far, so he's dressed more or less like a noble. He certainly has the air of one. ]

I haven't decided yet. I can't say I fancy the turtle all that much, either.

[ Maybe he's just generally disagreeable, or maybe he's just specifically disagreeable to people who abduct him on ships. ]

[ Alucard lowers his tone, conspiratorially, eyes narrowing. ]

We could steal a ship...

[ Right here in front of Knistej and everyone??

Astarion responds in a whisper in kind, but with a bit more urgency ]

Keep your voice down. This isn't the place.

[ He gives a rich laugh at that. ]

I see. My apologies.

[ He doesn't seem the least bit sorry, because he got what he was after, but he will change the subject. ]

Speaking of places, where might you be from?

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

alucard emery | shades of magic | paladin

inkwave (a);

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royal fortune, arrival;

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inkwave; b

no joke I literally had xenk's tattoo prompt open working on an intro

lmao great minds 🤝

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