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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

[nope, glenwood isn't a place on his own internal map, either. but at least it seems like the two of them are on the same page with cities on the back of animals. it doesn't seem like it's too common a thing in most worlds.

hearing that excitement from sorey about getting on a boat for the first time ends up getting a grin out of eizen.]

Aye, the first time on one is an experience you never forget. If you find yourself a vessel with some fine craftsmanship behind it, it feels like the first time every time you board.

[the van eltia never failed with that. ah, that ship truly is a marvel.]

I only barely started traveling on land back home. Let alone going across the ocean.

[Which. He isn't against the idea. He's just not necessarily experienced in traveling, about boats or ships. So he will have to learn and adjust as best he can while here. Even if it might take some time. He would manage. Others here probably know more, have more experience. And he could in turn help them with the things he was more knowledgeable about.]

But it opens up so much potential! I mean. all the history and ruins that you could get to with a ship!

[the comment of finding history and ruins only serves further perk up eizen's expression. now that's a sentiment he can 100% agree with.]

Exactly! The potential for discovery is limitless! And there's nothing quite like stepping foot on unfamiliar soil and unearthing a ruin filled to the brim with history and relics.

[pottery, art, weaponry and all else: all of that history is just waiting out there to be found and uncovered!]

Right? I know Gramps was just being careful, trying to protect me and Mikleo with the barrier of his and all but. Ever since we left I've been excited about the idea of finding more ruins further out from Elysia. And here, with the ships, and being even further out I'm sure there will be even more new ruins to discover and explore!

[Probably they shouldn't. Consider on the idea of Eizen's curse. That would probably set off every single trap along the way of exploring any ruins together for that matter. But the idea is still exciting, that evidently has Sorey brightening even as he sips his drink and has mouthfuls of food every so often.]

[hey, what's a little excitement when exploring ruins? the curse won't kill them! ...probably.

you know what, eizen hadn't expected much when sorey sat down but the kid is turning out to be good company. that pleased grin remains firmly in place as he nods.]

That's about guaranteed! You can't NOT come across new discoveries while out at sea. Give it a couple weeks and you'll undoubtedly already have some great stories to share about what you've uncovered.

[he takes a drink of his whiskey before speaking again.]

And, hey, if I come across any ruins worthwhile, I can pass along the coordinates.

[after he's had his own fill of exploration and perusing the artifacts inside, of course. pirates gotta pirate. that said, coming across a fellow admirer of history and ruins is rare so sending one to a place chalked full of it isn't something he minds doing.]

I can't wait to tell Mikleo and the others about all this! I bet he'd be so jealous I've been exploring without him.

[And. Probably angry at Sorey for going off without him. More from concern if something happened to Sorey without him there to help. But still. He tries not to dwell on that too much. Tries to tell himself there probably isn't much if anything he can do from here at least not yet from what he knows, to be able to check in on Mikleo and the rest.]

Yeah? You would? I can let you know too! I mean. I don't see why we wouldn't be allowed? We're all supposed to help find this treasure or something, so who knows, it might be in some ruins?

I'd appreciate that, actually.

[pretty good kid, this one. and even if someone else had been in some ruins first, he'd still love to see any of that history for himself.]

That's what I'm thinking, either in some ruins or at the bottom of the sea in some sort of wreck. Obviously, it could turn out to be neither one, but those are the best bets at the moment.

Yeah! Maybe I can start a few book here, recording the ruins and stuff I find here too!

[Cue Sorey pausing during attempting to eat - he's still getting pretty distracted from that, hopefully it won't get too cold, and showing Eizen his Celestial Record. It might be debatable if the other recognizes it or any of the scribbles or notes or anything inside, or the particular symbol on Sorey's one glove he wears.]

[the book cover is eye-catching, but not a cover eizen himself has seen. even then, it's more the glove that catches his attention. while the symbol isn't one he can outright place, it's curious enough for him to make note of it.

but his attention shifts back toward the book. what have we here? sketches of what look to be various ruins along with various writings.]

Is this a record of the ruins back in your world?

[and a thorough one, by the looks of it.]

Yeah! I added some notes about the ruins Mikleo and I found too.

[Sorey gives a nod, showing the other if Eizen wishes to have a look. He isn't necessarily yet connecting the other to the dragon he met, to Edna. That the other is one of the seraphim from back home a long time ago. That that might be why the other doesn't seem familiar given how much had changed since Eizen might last recall compared to Sorey.]

And I'm sure I'll keep finding more with Mikleo and the others, Lailah and Edna and all back home too! And here as well.

[edna: the name never fails to immediately catch his attention. it's a force of habit. as a big brother, hearing your little sister's name just makes you jump to attention. he dismisses the name easily enough now, though. it's not like sorey is talking about the same edna here.]

Definitely. As long as you keep on searching, you'll keep on finding places you and your companions can explore regardless of the world you're in.

Right! I guess I can focus on that. Doing what I can for when the others might show up. I mean. If I did, there's the chance they might as well. So I should try explore and learn as much as I can so I can be ready, help them.

[Sorey may be distracted trying to remember to eat before his meal goes cold to necessarily notice the way Eizen's interest seems piqued out of habit from hearing Edna's name. He has yet to make the connection between the two. That the other looks similar doesn't necessarily mean this was her brother.]

Ah, I don't think I got your name though? If I find any ruins, to let you know, right?

[eizen nods as he finishes off the remainder of his whiskey. exactly right. prepare yourself and, if they do show up, make the best of it.

ah, right, a name exchange would help with that. he sets his glass down as responds.]

Eizen. Yours?

[seeing as he promised to share info himself, he needs a name to share said info, too.]

Sorey. Sorry, Eizen....? As in, Edna's...Edna's brother...?

[Give Sorey a moment as he pauses with his eating. As he is a little wide-eyed at that. Of course, Eizen was a less common name perhaps. It didn't mean it was entirely unique, that nobody else had it, but Sorey has only heard it in relation to Edna. To her brother. That....if this was him, evidently doesn't remember nearly so much as Sorey. Evidently. And Sorey. Isn't necessarily sure how to handle that exactly? In terms of suddenly encountering this. In figuring, if this was Eizen, the one from home, how much he should say?]

[there's a proverbial record-scratch at that. surprise briefly flashes across his face before his eyes narrow dangerously. to specifically ask if he's edna's brother means having to have met edna. where and how? the casual aura about him from earlier is gone and replaced by the aura of an overly-protective big brother.]

Alright, Sorey, you have 10 seconds to explain how the hell you know my sister.

[the fact he's getting those seconds is due to the fact sorey's been decent company. consider it a kindness.]

Wh -- eh? It's....I just met her when I was traveling! That's all. She needed help with something so she is coming along with us. So we can help her....?

[Sure. That. Might not be entirely the whole situation. Sorey's a little taken aback, a little flustered as he realizes, as he clicks as to the implications. As it starts to sink in. But Sorey does really intend to keep his promise. To help her. To keep her safe. Even if she's.....a lot older than him, most likely. But it's also clear that Sorey is honest. He wouldn't lie to save himself. The kid really is genuine.]

I mean. Mikleo, Lailah and me.

[help? what would she need help with that she couldn't tell him? then again, nevermind that now. what sorey says at the end catches his attention. it succeeds in him furrowing his brows in confusion.]

Mikleo and Lailah? You mean your friends back home?

[friends back in sorey's world? that can't be right. the impossibility of it only ends up pissing him off further.]

How the hell can you have possibly met her back home when we just established we're from different places?!

Yeah! Lailah is a fire seraph, I met her at Ladylake and she's the one that's helping me figure things, since I pulled out her sword. Teaching me about being a Shephard.

[Sorey tries to explain, to answer, before he pauses, frowning slightly and considering.]

Maybe we aren't from different places. Maybe it's more...different times? Seraphim can live a long time, right? But I'm human, mortal, so maybe it's just been a long time since you last remember? Or something like that?

[He's guessing. If this really was Eizen from home, Edna's brother. Then. That has to be it? If this is him from before....Sorey can't help but to wonder at how this is possible. But then. If people were being pulled here from different places, then perhaps being from different times is not so impossible.]

[there's two words in that catch his attention: seraph and shepherd. the former isn't a term he knows; the latter is one he damn well knows. sorey being one ends up making that overly protective big brother in him flair up again--

only for that to be stopped when sorey speaks again. eizen immediately furrows his brows.]

Different... times?

[he frowns, bringing a hand up to his chin. honestly, as crazy as that sounds, it would make the most sense here.]

Ok. Let's pretend that's true for a moment. There have to be things that stood the test of time that you'd know.

[but what? think, eizen, think. a thought crosses his mind. it's a longshot but if anyone managed to get their names in the history books, it'd be that man. eizen lowers his hand as he leans back in his chair.]

Does the name Aifread ring any bells?

Aifread....? Ah, I think I saw on a map there's this road near the ocean that this pirate used to go around that area? Or something like that. Near Pearlots Pasture? But I think that pirate was around like, a thousand years ago.....

[Sorey isn't necessarily aware that back in Eizen's time they weren't called seraphim, but malakhim. Different name, but the same thing, really. Elemental spirits and all. He's trying to figure this though. As best he can with what little he is able to manage by having read through old records, conversations with Gramps and the like.]

[the response provides exactly the information he needs. sorey both knows about aifread and provided a time frame for reference. eizen's thoughtful frown deepens. a thousand years ago. it's not as though a thousand is that much for a malak, but having someone actually be from that far in the future ends up feeling odd.

after mulling things over a moment, eizen speaks.]

That pirate is from my time and a companion of mine.

[his eyes narrow slightly.]

And, from the sound of it, my sister is a companion of yours. Why?

[screw everything else. why is edna traveling with this guy? hell, why would she even agree to travel with someone like this? that's not like her.]

You knew him?

[Sure, it isn't like Sorey doesn't know other seraphim. That might be as old or older than Eizen. But this is still a chance, to learn more about the past, to learn more than some others might have been willing to tell him. Lailah had her reasons for being quiet, he is sure, but even so. Perhaps Eizen might be more forthcoming than she was, or Gramps, in him learning more about the world beyond Elysia.]

Why? We found her in the mountains. She wanted help with something that I think, I'm hoping, I can help her with. And I could use her help too. While I figure all this out.

[so he helps her while she helps him. the thoughts of what she could need that she couldn't come to him for cross his mind, but eizen shoves those to the side for the moment. one final thing matters more that he needs to know right now, one thing that'll determine whether or not sorey goes on his shitlist.]

While you figure out Shepherd things.

[there's a definite bite to his tone at the word shepherd.]

Tell me, Shepherd, what are Malaks-- rather, Seraphs, to you?

[the context clues made it easy enough to determine that the language had changed over the centuries. it happens.

but verbiage aside, the question matters most of all. what sort of a person is this shepherd and will eizen have to find a way to protect edna from him?]

What are -- ah? So seraph were called malaks in your time?

[For all that Sorey knows a lot about history from ruins and the like, there are still some things that he has missed, between being so sheltered and isolated from everywhere else from living in Elysia most of his life, and being so young, being human. There's only so much that he can figure learning with all of that, even with being surrounded by seraphim back home.]

Well, they're my family. My friends. My best friend, Mikleo is a water seraph.I grew up raised by the seraph, ah, the malak, in the village of Elysia near Ladylake, so I've only recently even met other humans. Why? Are things different with the malak in your time?

[the answer ends up acceptable. sorey's immediate response also means it's likely a truthful one. eizen allows himself to relax, but only slightly. anyone with that title, good response or not, will have to do more than say nice words to win his trust.

the question almost gets a dry laugh. yeah, they're sure as hell different. good to hear things changed since, though.]

That's not a conversation I'm in the mood to dive into now.

[he stands and faces away from sorey.]

While I still don't like the idea of Edna traveling with you, I can accept it.

[eizen narrows his eyes at sorey over a shoulder.]

However, if I ever catch wind of anything happening to her while in your care, I can promise you the world will have one less Shephard in it.

[he'll let that threat hang in the air as he starts toward the door.]

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historiology - 2023-10-23 08:03 (UTC) - Expand

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