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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.

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That got Faris' eyebrows raised. He wasn't going to admit being less experienced in anything to a stranger, but many skyships was a hell of a thing to say, given that all Faris knew was the Ronkan wreck that Cid and Mid had so carefully restored to working order.

"One thing you'll learn about the sea is that it goes where it likes, no matter how clever the shipwright." He beckoned the lady with a wave of his hand, leading towards the nearest ladder below. "Spray, rain, anything spilled on deck... it all makes its way to the lowest point... your clothes might need a wash, if they're there."

Rotten luck, really.

Ashe moved after Faris, folding the map and tucking it into the pocket. It would be important later, but for now she'd take advantage of a stranger's kindness. Or presumed kindness.

"Clothes can be cleaned. I dislike being disarmed in a strange land less," she offered. Her hope was that her weapons were below, and the crewman had said she'd find her belongings there, so it seemed likely.

"May I ask your name, sir?"

"Faris. Cap'n Faris, in fact, but we're not aboard my ship." Whose exactly it was, Faris hadn't figured out yet--she'd been in too much of a rush to get herself back to the way she needed to look.

He made an approving noise in his throat at the lady's priorities. "I found my gear with my clothes," he said, making his way down the ladder--and now considering that he was exposing his back to someone who was evidently experienced with weapons. "So if you've a sword or a lance, you're liable to find it there."

And if not, a ship this size surely had spares. Or possibly "spares" from people who didn't know they were going to be charitable today.

"Well met then, Faris. My name is Ashe."

Masking the titles and not claiming her royal lineage seemed like a better course, here. She didn't know how well that would play with the locals, or with the strangers. And it was not as if Dalmasca was anywhere nearby.

"I should be glad to reclaim my sword. Even just my shirt would be an improvement over this, though."

She was out of the rags, yes, but she wasn't happy with her clothes. Too rough.

"What do you make of our host ship?"

"'Tis a sizable one, sure enough," was Faris' first response. The Stormbringer was a good deal bigger than his own ship--it had to be, to fit its crew with private cabins. "Well-kept, too. But I'd rather that being here was my idea."

The dankness of the air down the next ladder told Faris that they had reached their destination... the bottommost reaches of the ship. So did the smell. "But this part be the same as any other ship, fine or foul. Welcome to the bilges."

"Agreed. I'm not fond of being kidnapped."

Unless it was her idea, of course. This, however, was a far cry from that.

Down she descends, sliding easily down the ladder, her nose wrinkling as she got a whiff of the smell. It wasn't the worst she'd dealt with, as that dubious honor was held by the Achadean sewers, but it was decidedly unpleasant.

"Lovely. I can only hope my clothes are above the sewage-line. The map indicated they're towards the bow."

The matter-of-fact way she said that got a wry grin from Faris, kicking at an old memory. At least Ashe wasn't calling them degenerate, lecherous, pirate-y pirates, eh?

"You'll have to trust to luck on that," he said, and it was with an effort that he hid his reluctance to put his boots into the scummy grey water. Not that he hadn't been to the bilges dozens of times in his life, but he tried to put on something he cared for less before he put his feet into the noisome waters, if he had the chance. No help for that now, though.

Down here, he could feel the movement of water against hull through his feet. No matter what world it was, it seemed the nature of the ocean was the same. "Keep your hand on the railing. You don't want to take a tumble," he advised. "Wherever they're stowed, they might need to be wrung out."

She was one to run with pirate scum of the skies, so she was almost as much one of those degenerates. Not that she really had much opinion on the Corsairs yet, having only been introduced via the dizzying last few hours.

"Of course," Ashe replied, taking the grip in a firm hand. Keeping her feet above the water as best she could by stepping on raised planks clearly left for that purpose, she started forward. The dim light made it slow going, but she was resolved.

"Did you already recover your things?"

"I did." It wasn't that the rags and tags were too revealing--not as bad as some of the things the ancient spirits thought were suitable battle garb, for certain--but Faris had a way of dressing and he was not going to give up one single secret to this world full of strangers until she felt good and ready to do so. "They were a bit higher in the decks than this."

It was a big ship, and that meant a long walk down the hull. "I don't know which one of these coves is responsible for stowing our gear, but they've got a strange sense of humor."

"Good. Then one of us has a little luck. Hopefully it extends to me as well."

Ashe huffed a rueful laugh at that, nodding her head. This was strange indeed. But fortunately she's spotted something ahead in the gloom. A large-ish chest with glittering silver lettering spelling out her name.

Queen Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca.

So that cat is out of the bag at least.

"At least it isn't submerged..."

...Ah.

Faris crossed her arms, staring at the letters on the chest and thinking very fast about how to respond. "Aye, 'tis written there plain as day: Ashe."

She didn't look back up at Ashe as she said it, and it wasn't easy to pin down the reason she didn't want to. The pendant tucked into her clothes, the memory of Lenna requesting passage as Tycoon's princess and Faris' reaction to it, finding out that the batty old geezer she'd been fighting for months was actually a king... they all swirled around in her mind.

And at the end of it all was the irrefutable fact: they were in a pirate ship, run by pirates. It was admittedly a pirate ship on a wholly different planet where ransom was unlikely to be possible at all, but that didn't mean it was a good idea to go around advertising it.

Ashe stooped, beginning to go through the chest. Thankfully everything inside was dry, and she breathed just a little easier knowing that it was. And not only that, it had everything she expected to find. There was a soft rasp of steel that echoed in the dimness as Ashe drew the shorter of the two blades contained inside from its sheathe. A faint light shone from the weapon, casting back some of the shadows as the Deifacted Nethecite shard set into the hilt was exposed.

"At least we have light now."

She didn't feel the need to comment further on the chest as she pulled her things from it. A shield covered with strange markings, a satchel that seemed laden with clothes, and an even larger sword that she slung over her back. The presence of such weapons probably helped show that she'd be more than willing to fight if their hosts turned out to be captors instead.

With a grunt, she tipped the chest over into the bilgewater below them, letting it lay face down in the muck.

"Shall we be off, Faris?"

The sight of the glow from the sword-hilt drew Faris' eye, and he drew in a short breath, but Ashe didn't comment on it as she retrieved the rest of her things and got herself settled. He was almost as much caught by the greatsword she equipped. This queen didn't have the same attitude as Lenna, but it looked like she had the same skills.

"Aye, let's." He turned back towards the light coming from the hatchway, but if he didn't walk fast, it was only partly because of the caution needed down here. "That sword--does it have a piece of crystal in it?"

"Yes."

Ashe shifted her weight to the side to show the gem to Faris without drawing the blade. The nethecite glittered ominously, almost like it caught the dimness in the area and drank it in.

"A fragment of a whole, and with none of the energy such things usually have, but tis a piece of nethecite. Are you familiar with such?"

Faris' eyebrows lifted. On a better look, that thing in Ashe's sword was not at all like the crystal shards he had handled. Those had been warm, pleasing to the touch... friendly, even, given what they housed within.

"The crystals of my home planet, aye. Had quite a close association with them, to tell the truth." It was almost against his better judgment that he stepped forward to get a better look at the nethicite. "Not so familiar with nethicite. But I can see from here it has a power to it."

He couldn't quite hide in his tone that it was a power he didn't think he wanted much to do with.

"Had. This shard no longer has anything within. It was drained of its essence, and I carry it only as a memento."

She tapped the gemstone, running her finger along the cloven edge with a nostalgic air. Not out of any real fondness for the gem, but more for the people she acquired it with.

"Nethecite absorbs magic, but only a finite amount. Once that amount is reached, it can be released a single time. This shard has been used. There's naught to fear from it, though I know it has a...darkling gleam to it."

"I see." A darkling gleam sounded right to Faris. This crystal shard sounded like a potent weapon--he wondered just what events were hidden by that little sentence 'this shard has been used.'

"'Tis different than the crystals I know. Those were pillars that upheld the world, not weapons." He mounted the ladder back up to the cleaner air of the lower decks. "I suppose there might even be some folk from planets that don't have crystals at all."

"In a seemingly infinite number of worlds, I could imagine such quite easily."

She's honestly more surprised that other worlds have anything like Nethecite, really. Even if it's just crystals.

"Though the human element appears common enough at the least."

It was, and it was a bit strange to think about. Faris only knew as much about cosmology as Ghido had told them when they were gearing up to face Exdeath--the Void, then the four essences, then the elements and crystals born from them. The steps between the crystals and everything getting spun up into grass and dragons and mushrooms and human beings were still a closed book--albeit a book that was probably somewhere in the Library.

So humans from other crystalline worlds made perfect sense, but now he had to wonder how they popped up without those essences to mold them.

"I suppose it is," he said, sounding a little unwilling to pursue the subject. "How about sailing ships? You have those alongside the crystals?"

Ashe is more than happy to let that subject drop. Talking about home is a little easier than talking about their situation.

"We do. Though Dalmasca is a landlocked kingdom, and a desert one at that. We travel by airship instead, but coastal civilizations do have large sailing vessels. Ones I venture to guess would be familiar to a sailor such as yourself. I assume you captain a sailing vessel. Have I the right of it?"

Edited (wording) 2023-10-27 16:20 (UTC)

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STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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