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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

That doesn't mean that I will say no to free—

[She only just barely misses the pocket and instead, her arm hooks around his back to keep herself from falling over completely when she missteps. She hadn't expected him to dodge—no dance away from her like that, and so he'll feel all her weight on his side as she tumbles right into him, her other hand clutching at his front for purchase.

...

.....

And now they are but mere inches from one another, and Benedikta stares up at him with both shock and frustration.]

—food.

[...Ah. Well. Not quite what he intended.

Instinctively his arm had gone around her waist to support her, his other hand at her shoulder as he staggers a bit before catching his footing to keep them upright. But his eyes are widened a little in surprise as he stares down at her.

And for a moment they are locked in that position before he lightly smiles and slowly straightens them up.]

So who would you eat with?

[Notably he's still holding her...but his grip is loose enough that she could free herself.]

I...?

[It takes her brain a moment to catch up with the rest of what's going on, so there's the briefest pauses as she stares at him in surprise when he straightens them, and have his eyes always been so green...

...

....

.....

—and then she's shoving herself back and him away.]

What does it matter who I would eat with? Were you hoping it would be you?

[Oh, he caught her longer than he expected. But the push is expected, so he just chuckles as he steps back, hand going to his pocket to pull the voucher out and hold it out to her.]

Would be nice and a preferred choice. [A cheeky grin and a wink before his expression softens a touch.] But it wouldn't be so bad if you made some new friends or acquaintances while we're here.

[She'll snatch it right out of his hand before he can pull it out of her reach again, and as she stuffs it into her pocket, she gives him a raised brow.]

I have no need for that.

[Friends. Acquaintances. Whatever he wants to call them...

And she'll continue walking in the direction they'd been heading without any regard for where they were going.]

Only people that I can trust to do what I need them to.

[Figured she would say that, and he'll just follow alongside her.]

You'll have to figure out that trust somehow. And that will require you to actually meet and chat with people, like it or not.

Remember, we're no longer in Valisthea. You have different options compared to there.

Options that have left opportunities wide open.

[She glances at him through the corner of her eye. Why is he even saying all of this now?

With an arch of her brow, she huffs.]

Do not tell me you are worried for me?

And if I were?

[That grin she's wearing fades instantly, and there's a visible slump in her shoulders before she's turning her head away from him.]

Then I would tell you that I do not need your concern.

[But there's something there. It's far, far in the deeper reaches of her heart and her mind that feels a prick of something she hasn't felt in a long time. For someone who spends so much time worrying about herself, she can't remember the last time anyone had expressed concern from her. Or at least, anyone who was not under her direct command.

... It's an odd feeling, only made extra strange with it being Cidolfus.]

I have found my way before on my own.

[He just watches her in silence, noting that change in expression, before he looks back forward.]

Aye, you have.

[And it feels as if he has something else he could say, but whatever he had on his mind is disrupted when some kids—a pig, a human, and...a fish??—rush past between them, making him need to do a quick step away to avoid collision.

He watches them as if lost in thought before he has to once again step to the side to avoid bumping into a very large...orc?

...Great Greagor this world truly has an interesting of people doesn't it.]

How about we get away from the crowds, eh?

[She might not have looked at him to see it, but she certainly heard it in that charged silence that follows. She would have glanced at him if it weren't for the odd-looking children that rush between them, and she instead finds herself shooting them that same pointed look instead before she very nearly bumps into the giant orc.]

Watch it...!

[She simply sidesteps him after that, ignoring the low growl that he lets out in response to her, though she hardly spares him a second thought.]

And where is that? This place is filled with people no matter where we go.

[The fact that she hasn't said no has yet to dawn on her.]

[Where indeed... Ah. While there are many side alleys and roads that branch out every which way, he spots one that goes up a slight incline that doesn't look too busy.]

Let's try over there. Might be able to get a better view of the town, too.

[And he's already walking—]

[And she feels compelled to follow, always remaining a step or two behind as they head up the incline. It's not too steep, and it doesn't go too high up, but once they reach the top, she finds that it is, indeed, much quieter up here. There are some wooden stairs leading down on the other end to a dock not far below, with a small platform that looks out over the turtle's back and to the sea.

She can count the boats, big and small, scattered about the water, and both the Royal Fortune and the Stormbringer can be seen from up here, their wide sails and flags fluttering in the wind.

The air is crisp, and there's a breeze not felt within the confines of the city that carries with it the salt of the sea, and she's reminded so much of the mornings she spent on the deck of the Einherjar, looking out across the strait. How she would love the feel of the wind...

And she gets so caught up in that familiar feeling that she almost forgets herself—where she is, and who she's with, and she curls an arm around herself and turns from him when she remembers to catch her breath.]

... It will have to do.

[Why is she even up here with him anyway? Why did she follow him instead of turn around and walk away? Why did her feet carry her all the way here when she should be running, and putting as much distance between them as possible?

There's that strange ache in her chest again, as if the weight of that pendant is what's pressing against it, reminding her of those moments before she woke up here...]

[As he walked, he may have seemed as if he was confident or expectant of her to follow him...but in truth, he was straining his ear to hear her steps, only relieved when he could hear them right behind. She easily could have taken the opportunity to part ways from there, and he's not sure if he would have tried to stop her. That they've managed to last this long is a miracle in itself... But deep down, he's glad. Relieved—and glad.

Once she meets Barnabas, hell knows what she'll do. And again, he wonders if he's cheating like this—trying to sway her without pulling too hard. But even when he wasn't thinking about it, everything just came naturally. As if the years of bitterness, hate, and hurt had disappeared after his passing—her passing—with seeing her in that room, bloodied and half out of her mind only driving it further away.

Not gone, of course. They may be having a "good day" right now, but he knows all too well that it's too tenuous. Too uncertain. At best they're at a "truce," using their familiarity to figure out this strange new place. But one wrong word, one wrong move, and they could be at each other's throats and everything gone, just like that.

...Though it seems that usual "line" is a little farther than before.

And now, as they've reached the top of the slope and he steps up to the railing, he'll glance back behind him, just enough over his shoulder to see her before he fully turns around so he can lean against the railing, arms draped languidly against it.]

Not a bad view, though.

[He says. But he's not even looking out at the port, his eyes only focused on one specific figure before he turns back around before she can see it—even if she might have felt his gaze first.]

[She certainly did feel it, spotted it through the corner of her eyes, but she kept them trained forward anyway, lost in her own thoughts—the very same ones that he finds himself swimming in as they both look out to the sea below.

She's stuck contemplating all the things that they have left unsaid between them—the questions about this world, about what happened, the things that were said before they parted ways at the top of Caer Norvent. And then here... how he found her, and the fact that, out of all the hundreds of thousands of people who clearly reside here, of all the other riftfarers that have found themselves in a similar situation, he was the one that did.

And really, she should hate it more. She should be cursing him, screaming at him, placing that firm line down between them again. She really should have left him the moment that they saw one another... but with him being the only familiar thing in this world, rather than run, she grabs on instead. When a lifeline is thrown out to you while you nearly drown at sea, you would be a fool not to take it.

Her hand falls into her pocket again, and there is the slightest, softest clink of metal against her nails as she searches for that pendant.

A silence lingers between them as Benedikta steps up to the rails next to him, though she maintains something of a respectable distance now. Not too far that he won't hear her, but not too close that he could easily reach her.]

What do you think of this place?

[She finally asks after a deep breath, taking in the crisp air.]

Edited 2023-09-04 17:01 (UTC)

[While the distance is noted... Honestly it's probably for now, give them a little space to breathe as all the distractions are now gone and they're left with their thoughts; thoughts that had been delayed until now.

But he glances at her, noticing how she's the first to initiate this time.]

To say it's "interesting" would be an understatement.

[And then he turns fully around so that he could lean forward over the railing, arms crossed over it.]

Hard to say much else since we've only been here for a few hours... But from what I feel from the people here, it must not be such a bad place.

[Of course, no place is perfect and the fact that a giant group filled with pirates and outlaws exist makes that perfectly clear. Which is why he only says it's not such a bad place.

But it does feel more like the vibes you get in the more prosperous cities like Oriflamme. And he has yet to see anything like the caste system, particularly any particular class of people subjugated like the Bearers of their world.]

[She glances at him again, making sure that he's facing outward first before she does.]

... So, not a dream, then.

[It's said quietly, like that realization has finally sunk in.

Honestly, a part of her probably always knew that it wasn't some hallucination or fever dream created when she'd lost control of her Eikon. If anything, it's far too bizarre to be so, especially as she looks around at the few people that are up here—riftfarers just like them, she supposes, as a couple of the groups pull out their phones and lift them to do... whatever it is they're doing.]

I still don't trust them.

No.

[An afterlife? He's not so sure still... And again he wonders if she even know she's dead? And if she doesn't...should he still her? Though he can already see how that conversation is going to go—

He watches with some curiosity at what the others are doing, but his attention is still mostly on Benedikta, and he can't help but laugh a little.]

But can't blame you. I'm not fully trusting this place, either.

[After what both of have been through and seen? It's only natural they would be more cautious in this new environment.]

That said, we don't have much of a choice than to go with it for now. See what all there is and figure things out from there.

[It's around then there are some audible clicks and laughter from the people with their phones out... What in the world are they doing?]

[While he remains curious, Benedikta finds the clicks and the laughter both distracting from her thoughts and annoying. She came up here for some quiet, not to listen to these incessant giggles.]

Well, then you—

[One of the girls—a pelican—bursts out into a laugh so loud that it nearly startles Benedikta right out of her skin, and she whirls around on them.]

Oh, for the love of... What are you doing!? Will you keep it down?

[The group gawks (one literally squawking) in surprise before a...bunny girl?? Steps forward.

"Like, jeez, sorry for interrupting your little date, but we're just taking pictures!"

And then one of the...okay that's a cat. How many different animals live in this place... And he's not sure if it's weirder or not that they all look humanoid. Anyway—

"Oh, you know I heard there were new riftfarers! They must be part of that group!"

"Oh that makes sense."

"Wow, wow, gasp that means they might not know about the camera feature!!"

Realizing this, the original hostile looks are replaced with gasps and wide smiles, the pelican girl speaking up again.

"Gosh, no wonder! Here, here, let us take a picture for you!! And then we can show you how to do it!"

"There's even a selfie feature and—"

Sensing and seeing Benedikta's growing bewilderment as the girls just continue their rapid fire onslaught, Cid steps in.]

Thank you kindly, young ladies, but I'm going to have to ask you to slow down for a second. You said something about a "camera"? On the phone?

[And he'll take his out to offer as sacrifice.]

[It is definitely a good thing that Cid steps in when he does, because Benedikta could feel that very thin thread of patience pulling so taut that it was about to snap when he did. If she had her magic, she might have had half a mind to blow one of them over the railing... just as a little warning...

But instead, she just eyes them, her own expression growing tighter and tighter until—

Her eyes turn to Cid who comes up beside her and offers his phone, and she hisses at him.]

What are you doing?

[The girls all giggle and the cat jogs over to stand next to him and show him on his screen.

"Yeah! Like, look right here, see this icon? Press it, and it'll bring up the camera!" She clicks it for him, and the app opens, and she'll guide his hand so that the phone is facing up with everything right in front of them on the screen. "And then when you click this button, it'll take a picture. Here, I can show you!"

She holds out her hand.]

[Oh.

Ooooh.

He vaguely remembers this being mentioned by the tech staff, but there was really so much and they could only show so much at the time.

Eyes wide in interest, he'll hand it to her.]

What, it looks interesting. A way to capture a picture instantly instead of waiting for hours to someone to paint?

[The girl takes the phone and rushes back to join her friends, and the bunny girl hops excitedly before motioning a hand at both of them.

"Okay, so like... scooch a little closer, would you? For the picture."

And then the pelican girl just has to chime in— "Put your arm around her!"

Benedikta stares at him.]

You will do no such thing.

[Ah ha ha ha... He'll just chuckle and speak low enough for her to hear.]

Well I would prefer to not lose this arm...

[Especially after he kind of got it "back" in a sense.

He'll then raise his voice to call out to the girls.]

She's a bit shy when it comes to public displays of affection. Will this do?

[Well, they said "scooch closer." So he'll just "scooch" closer to Benedikta. But instead of putting his arm around her, it's behind her, resting against the railing and leaving just a few inches between them.

There's a little sigh of disappointment from the group, but they are a stubborn lot.

"Well, what if the Miss turns a little to the side? Like this!"

Now the girls are having fun trying to show them some poses they could do.

"Yeah, with your hand on his shoulder! That should be fine, right?"]

[Public displays of what!?]

This is not—

[But she's interrupted by the girls again, with no time to correct anything as they all talk and laugh over her. She does feel Cid's arm behind her, but she pays it no heed, far too focused on making sure that they don't get the wrong idea about them!!!]

I'm not going to—

[CIDOLFUS, HELP. DON'T JUST STAND THERE!!

"Just turn a little bit!" The cat girl rushes in and nudges Benedikta in his direction, and before she can say or do anything else, she's leaping back and there's a very audible click from Cid's phone.

"Aww! So cute! She's like a little tsun, isn't she!?"]

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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