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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

[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!?"]

[OH NO.

HE'S HAVING FUN.

As evident by the highly amused expression he has as he just watches the girls be quite brave...and strangely reminded of Mid. He can really imagine her just getting up in someone's face to encourage them to do something like this.

Briefly lost in nostalgia, he almost misses how the cat girl manages to nudge Benedikta closer, turning to look at her in some surprise before laughing.]

Looks like you've met your match, Benedikta.

[He's never seen anyone manage to push her around like this before—literally. Well, accept for himself, of course. And there will be a few more clicks because these girls see an opportunity and they are professionals, just leave it to them!!!]

What are you—!?

[Click! Click! Click!

"Oh my gosh, this is sooooo cuuuuute! Look how grumpy and pouty she looks in this one!" The two at the other end glance at the screen and giggle.

They are all so very fortunate that she does not have her sword or her magic right now, or else these girls would be flying over the railing right about now. Instead, her face is flushed and wrinkled with frustration and she's feeling incredibly overwhelmed by it all—

"Now put your arm around him, silly! Don't be shy."]

You are lucky that I do not—

[The cat grabs her by the wrist and guides it so that her arm is now around his waist, and just as she ducks out of the way...

Click!

And that's when Benedikta finally shoves herself off.]

Enough!

[—Okay, play time's over.]

All right, I think that's quite enough, thank you.

[Cid will step out and put himself between Benedikta and the girls, who are still giggling. However, while he has a light, polite smile, there is a bit of reproach in his gaze. It was fine to tease, but getting that physical is a bit crossing over the line.

The pelican girl will at least notice and sheepishly hand over his phone.

"Sorry, we got a bit carried away."

"But they look so good!"

"Ugh, she's soooo pretty! If I didn't have feathers I'd love those nails..."

"Just do the feathertips! That's trending."

"Really? Maybe!"

...

Wow, teenage girls are really not a force to be reckoned with in this world.]

[Benedikta doesn't even give any time for them to say a word to her or show off the photos before she stalks off to the other end of the lookout, bristling and readjusting her clothes as if they'd all been tousled about. It's a miracle she doesn't take flight right there and run, but...

There's the slightest—smallest twinge of appreciation for Cid stepping in when he had, and for taking care of the girls so that she didn't have to. Even still though... are all the teenagers in this world like this? If anyone had stepped up to her like that in Valisthea, they'd know instantly not to do such things lest they wanted themselves cut from neck to naval.

So, she listens, her gaze moving down to her green nails when she hears them, and waits for Cid to finish...

"Here! Click this little button and you can pull them all up to look! Gosh, you two do make a really cute couple though!"]

[There's just a light chuckle as he looks glances at the girls and then back at Benedikta. Either these girls are actually quite fierce or this world is a lot softer than Valisthea. Perhaps both.]

So this button, you say? And is there a way to make this a little less...

[He quietly clicks his tongue and the girls tilt their heads before the pelican girl catches on and grins. With a silent nod, she shows the setting, and now with it switched off, Cid grin and holds the camera up.]

And then it was this button?

["Yeah, and you can also zoom in like this..."N

ow silent, he takes one of Benedikta standing in the distance before quickly turning it to the side just in case she happens to look. He'll exchanging a secretive smile with the group, and with a little help, they teach him some more about the functions before he nods in satisfaction. With a cheerful wave and expression of gratitude, the girls wave and call out to Benedikta before they move on, Cid himself strolling over to her.]

Quite different from back home, eh?

Mm. Noisy.

[It's all she says at first with a bitter bite to her voice, and though her expression and posture are all wound up, the look in her eyes remains distant, kept focused out to the horizon ahead.

Different from back home indeed. She wishes that she could say she wasn't feeling even a little overwhelmed by all of this, but the truth is, she realizes that she's so far out of her element, and that if it weren't for him being here to guide her, she would have been lost... and she has no fucking clue how to feel about that.

Add that on top of the comments those girls were making...]

You are fitting in quite well.

You know me.

[He leans over the railing, gazing outward.]

Having to quickly adapt is one of my specialties.

I do. Too well.

[Still, with that hint of bitterness, but significantly less so than it ever has been as she glances sidelong at him.

How long has she wanted him back, and now that he is standing right next to her, seemingly extending a hand to help her, why does she feel so scared to take it? Is this not what she wanted all those years? How black does her heart truly bleed because of him that she cannot bring herself to fully trust his intentions?

With a sigh, Benedikta squares her shoulders as if to steel herself against those questions threatening to spill out of her.]

It is nothing like home. Even the ships are different. And the magic...

Aye. It's...

[There's a contemplative frown as he looks around. Even from where they are, they can see some performers in a nearby square demonstrating their talents, yet they are doing it so freely. Elsewhere he can see some cooks for outdoor kitchens using flame along with their stoves.]

...Different. Everyone uses it so freely, even the willingly wear "brands." Unlike our world, there seems to be no one with any innate "knack" for it—you need something else to use it. And because of this, there is no difference between one or the other, no discrimination.

[His voice is quiet, thoughtful as he once again looks at everything.]

With or without magic... It's exactly how I envisioned it.

[Which makes him laugh a little.]

Could really fool me as a dream.

[It's not perfect of course, people will be people. But at least on the one main thing, his main goal, his own vision and dream—it's right here. There will surely be those who will try to dominate and be better than others, but it won't be because of magic. No one will be persecuted for that...just something else instead, likely. But that's a different problem for a different time.]

[She raises a brow at him.

She knows too well how he feels about the Branded, and she would be lying if she said she didn't find it a little ironic how they've wound up in a world where people seek out these "brands" to wield magic when in their own, they would run away from that life. Of all the people to be here, it would be them, wouldn't it?

Her and Cidolfus.

The two people who stood at the complete opposite ends of that spectrum.]

It is a little strange. [For her, it's for an entirely different reason.] People try to escape that life and here, they seek it. Brand themselves willingly and for what? I've hardly seen anyone use it.

[It's ridiculous, and yet... the first thing that she will be doing once that line clears out is getting one herself. A thought that she would rather not linger on for long...]

That's the thing.

[Again Cid looks around before he turns so that his back rests against the railing.]

In this world, magic isn't a necessity, not for living one's daily life, anyway. You've seen the technology they have—other means and conveniences to do what we needed Bearers for.

No, from what I'd gather, magic is only good for when going out for those jobs or some other special use.

[A tool in battle, like he does. Sure there are some other conveniences that makes magic easier, like using fire or lightning to burn a flame instead of striking stones. But to water plants? Wells? Cast a breeze? No magic there. Even fire magic isn't used to keep anything burning, at most it's more like a start and then bellows for the forge to continue.]

[Benedikta lifts her hand, turning it over once, twice, contemplating that lack of magic that she feels. Then again, how much aether had she even used up when she primed? Even if she didn't require the tattoo here, would she have been able to feel it at all? Would she be able to sense Garuda inside her, even after much of her essence had been taken?

There's a sour taste that settles in the back of her throat, remembering that, and after a good flex of her fingers, she lets her arm drape over the railing.]

It seems silly. These people have magic at what cost, and they don't use it. There is no Bearer's curse. No aether, as far as we know.

[People who are given a gift that they can use freely, and yet... they don't.]

[A small shrug.]

We don't know yet. Perhaps they do need it, but not here in the city.

[And then his gaze goes back out, eyes melancholic.]

Quite the ideal world to me.

[She finally does look to him, catching him just as his gaze moves outward.]

... With the choice, would you stay here?

Choice...

[There's something of a small laugh here since he's not sure they have much of one, dead or not, but he contemplates.]

Might consider it.

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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