TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 9

[avalonmods]

✨ Greet new players on the OOC intro while apps are processed HERE! ✨

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ SUMMARY: New arrivals drop into the lake and have to climb up a cliff to the Rent a Ride, where they are given their device and some headphones and can retrieve their personal materials. There is a small earthquake during this (shaking, some things may fall off of shelves, but no structural damage) that upsets the normal arrival creatures, limiting cliff-falling rescues and sliming the water. They travel to Camelot, which is a multiple day journey, so they stop at the Red Springs along the way and stay at an inn there. A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival KERPLUNK, SPLASH! Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's still chilly, but not enough that you can't manage on your own. The Lady of the Lake is swimming around under the water, helping to rescue any wayward travelers who look like they're struggling in the water. This month's helpers are giant pillow jellies, a species of jellyfish that is capable of ballooning itself at the surface to create bouncy pads for characters to hop across to the shore, should they choose or not be able to swim. They come in a variety of bioluminescent colors, but do not seem to be very talkative even to animal magic users. Those who try may find themselves being ignored, even if they hear the jellies talking amongst themselves about this and that. In the middle of the new arrivals, there is a small earthquake that shakes the island and makes the waters choppy. The jellyfish are startled and release a glow-in-the-dark slime that may dye your characters' hair and skin until they can get a proper bath. The Lady of the Lake seems disquieted by the earthquake, but there isn't much to be done about it where they are now besides make sure that everyone is outside of the water as quickly as possible. If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, as the earthquake has scared the cliff beast into hiding, meaning for July's arrivals, there is no safety net. They may need some serious help if a fall occurs! *Reminder: Your character's familiar may or may not be with your character in their initial plunge. If the familiar isn't partial to water, it may meet your character on the beach or sit atop their head while they swim. Or if they are, they might splash about and swim alongside your character. Familiars have different personalities and body specs and we leave those up to the players. B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, and a pair of ear buds and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of the universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go. These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk. C ⦿ The Red Spring The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies. If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out! The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there. SUMMARY: Camelot throws a carnival to combat the warming up weather featuring "cool" foods and contests, Queen Elphame sent gifts of aquatic mounts to practice in gratitude for the offering and peacemaking with Celliwig, and the clean-up for the carnival goes haywire as cleaning implements magically seek to clean everything. Thankfully, not every minute of Avalon is adventure and trials and rituals. There are moments of respite, and moments to have fun. This July, for example, locals have decided to invite everyone to what they're calling the "Cool Down Carnival"! A ⦿ Cool Carnival, Bruh Vendors of all kinds have taken to selling cooling goods throughout the carnival grounds. Shaved ice, frozen yogurt, gelato, ice cream, iced tea and boba drinks are everywhere, and each and every vendor is vying for the attention of customers. Whether it's coupons for free snacks if they fill out a punch card for all three days of the carnival, or trying out their new, more magical recipes of frozen slush that make you temporarily behave like a penguin and try belly-sliding down a slip-n-slide that's been set up to occupy the unfortunate victims of that slush (It wears off, don't worry.) Perhaps most notably is the Margaritaville Pair Challenge. If you and an acquaintance can down a giant schooner of frozen margarita in less than a minute together, you'll both get a free happy hour item once a day for the next month from the restaurant and they'll do you a solid and teach you (Recipe) Hangover Moveover, a recipe that instantly cures hangovers. The brain freeze caused by downing that much frozen drink is yours to deal with, unfortunately... B ⦿ Surf New Turf In the evening, the fae folk of the carnival crew lead the way to uproot the party off toward the docks near Camelot. The Elphame Traders came back this past month with good tidings from Queen Elphame, who was impressed both with the gift of a ship and the winning over of Celliwig's people. To this end, a second ship was sent with the Elphame Traders to provide a means of transportation to the faery Kingdom of Elphame without passing through the Forest of the Felled: aquatic mounts. However, they aren't exactly easy for anyone who isn't an animal mage and will require practice before anyone can set out. You'll need at least one person to steer and one person to act as a combatant, as the lake north of the arrival point is more than a little treacherous but that will be a journey for another day. (Maybe the 20th? Stuff seems to coincidentally always happen around then, huh... Weird.) For now, the fae who stayed behind from the Elphame Traders this month are sticking around to help you find a partner and an aquatic mount that gets along with the two of you. Most of the creatures who have agreed to be mounts are hanging out alongside he beach near the old docks, so you can go around and check out the different kinds of available mounts: Alpacapies: Cousin to the much more violent water horse fae the Kelpies, Alpacapies have been mistaken for baby loch ness monsters on more than one occasion given their penchant for sitting with just their hump and long neck above the waterline. They can be ridden in the water and tend to bond with people who are polite to them upon greeting. They will assist in combat by spitting water at their enemies or kicking with front legs, but they may shake you off if they need to deep dive to gain speed for an attack. They do not have back legs, only a dolphin-like fin. For some reason, they're really impossible to take photographs of. Mossatees: You're familiar with the mossatee already. A special breed of manatee that grows flowers and moss on its back like a miniature garden. They blossom in the spring, and their backs can be very comfortable. They're a little clumsy and tend to run into things, both accidentally and on purpose, so it may be a bit of a derpy ride if you and your partner choose a mossatee. They also just had a lot of children, so part of riding with them will mean protecting their young on the journey. They're not good in combat and will prioritize defense. Deinosuchus: A Cretaceous crocodile that gets up to about 10 meters long. It's huge and carnivorous and very well could eat you if you piss it off. It is fast, but has to take a lot of breaks. It will also terrorize in a fight. The fae recommend bringing it a goat or some other similarly sized meal to get it on your side if you want to go for this one. This pack is the only one left, transported by fairies to Avalon long, long ago, so you'd better not let them down. Once you've found a mount that seems right, try to practice balancing on its back. They don't much like saddles so that may be a challenge, but if you hold onto your partner it might be easier! Once you're settled, try racing against another pair or going through a Survivor-esque obstacle course with your mounts. C ⦿ Clean Up Chaos As people head out for the second day of practice with their mounts or recover from a crazy carnival experience, things around town... seem a little off. It seems like someone tried some experimental magic after competing in the Margaritaville challenge feeling particularly benevolent. All around Camelot, cleaning utensils have taken on a life of their own. Brooms are sweeping customers right out of restaurants, sponges are scrubbing up dishes and chasing down patrons for the most public sponge baths of their life, and the local woodland creatures are assisting in picking up and taking away anything that touches the floor that ought not to be there. Some are even hopping up on residents to do their hair! Whatever the source is, the only solution is to either destroy or scare the cleaning supplies off to the woods before they take over the whole town! A little magic should help, so why not test out the magic you've been working on since arriving in Avalon? SUMMARY: The earthquake busted some of the Land of Rot wards and zombies are attacking Camelot's farmland. Save the farm, restore the wards, fight a giant worm, and then find a mysterious marsh before getting transported back home just as mysteriously. The earthquake on arrival day was a little frightening, but ultimately didn't seem to cause too much trouble around New Camelot. That is, until a few days later when the farmlands seem to be under attack.. by the undead!? It seems like the wards surrounding the Lands of Rot were disrupted by the earthquake near Camelot's northeast farmland. ' A ⦿ The Farming Dead Step one is to fight the hoard of zombies spilling out into the farm and stop them before they contaminate Camelot's food source. Use whatever means you can to dispense of the undead, keeping the following in mind: death mages are going to be the most effective combatants against the undead, but anyone can follow the basic rules of zombies to clear a path. Loud noises attract their attention, they shamble during the day and can move more quickly during the night, they don't feel pain so if you hurt the they won't be deterred-- you have to kill them, and always double-tap if you aren't sure. Just be careful not to set them on fire. Flaming zombies can spread fires to buildings and other surroundings and are just generally worse than regular zombies! Once the zombies are cleared out, farmworkers will bring out gifts of fresh lemonade and some extra mixed herb seeds they gathered throughout the year. They're still good, please take them as a thanks for helping save the farm! B ⦿ Of Wards and Worms After searching the perimeter of the Land of Rot, sources have found that the wards were damaged on the west side, so the zombies haven't fully penetrated any areas but the farm. Pair up with another person to draw the attention of the zombies away from wards while the other person resets the wards. While doing this, you'll find the earth is rumbling again-- a little heavier this time since you're much closer than back in the Bay of Avalon. Rather suddenly, a huge sinkhole opens up in the desert landscape of the Land of Rot nearby... and out leaps a thousand-toothed worm, flying through the air and diving back toward the ground teeth-first... with your character right in its target location! Maybe you're lucky and get out of the way only to get knocked down by another huge tremor, or maybe you've just been swallowed whole by a giant worm and really, really need to find a way out for you and your partner! Maybe you'll find something interesting while you think... Is that a broken boat in here? Hopefully you find your way out (or.. if you don't, you find someone to resurrect you, but that would really suck if you just arrived!) C ⦿ Wake Me Up Before You're Go-Gone First zombies, then a giant worm... today's been exhausting! And now you're.. somewhere in the middle of the Land of Rot and you seem to have run into some kind of marsh that you don't remember passing on your way in. The water itself is murky and the only creatures around seem to be bugs, bats, snakes, and frogs. Everything seems sickly, rotting, and is pretty awfully stinky. But none of it is quite as terrifying as when you and whoever you wandered into the Land with stumble upon what appears to be some kind of old hag. What happens next? Who knows. She screams and both you and whoever you're with pass out and wake up snuggling in an inn room. You were definitely in that marsh though, because your pants are still sopping from trudging through it... Well, enjoy the panic, maybe interrogate your neighbors, and try to find out where in the Land of Rot you were! It sure doesn't seem to be on the map... What a mystery! MOD NOTES: • All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. •If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

Comments

Making a Splash

[roseeclair]

Makoto comes here once a month, of course, to look for people from home and to help newcomers whether or not she recognizes them. And... she thinks she does recognize the tall, platinum blonde figure climbing up onto the beach, and when she runs forward and is greeted by that smooth-as-ever line? Makoto immediately leaps at her and tackles the taller girl in a hug, the bear formed of jade green lightning at her side huffing in satisfaction.

"Haruka-san!"

[heavenlyskies]

Haruka would have expected the excitement that she heard from a number of the younger girls, but a tackle and hug was something you were prepared for when you knew a certain dumpling head. So it wasn't all that much different when it came to Makoto.

"Careful, I'll get you wet. Then we both might wind up shocked."

After all water and electricity didn't mix. Still, Haruka was equally surprised and happy to see the girl that leapt into her arms and almost knocked her over. Looking over at the bear it was pretty easy to see it was friendly.

"So who's your friend?"

[roseeclair]

Normally Makoto would be a touch more reserved, but not by much... Then again, it's been months since she's seen anyone from home- save for Usagi, Mamoru, and Ami- and the last time she did, they'd just been resurrected after the hell of being killed and then forced to fight Eternal Sailor Moon as undead puppets. She's missed her sisters in arms.

At the question, though, she pulls back with a light chuckle, very happy tears still in her eyes.

"Right, right... This is Kaede, he's my familiar. Welcome to Avalon?"

[heavenlyskies]

"Avalon huh? I guess I wasn't too far off in calling a dream."

Haruka took a moment to brush away a tear, even if they were happy ones it wasn't any good to make a pretty girl cry. A familiar that was a bear and looked to be made of lighting, a mythical land from legends, it was the making of a bedtime story that Haruka would have told Hotaru.

"I'm lucky to have such a warm welcome, and guide to help me find my way."

[roseeclair]

She'll take the tear wipe gladly, chuckling a little.

"Careful, my boyfriend might get jealous." OH YEAH, SHE ACTUALLY HAS A BOYFRIEND NOW. "So uh... what's the last thing you remember before coming here?"

Best to start at the beginning with this tale.

[heavenlyskies]

"So you're saying I don't have a chance now, how cruel."

It was teasing, though that Makoto had a boyfriend was an interesting tidbit of news. Haruka was curious about what kind of guy managed to win her over. But at the moment there were more important matters to discuss, so once Haruka sat the other down she ran a hand through her hair and she looked up for a moment thinking.

"It's really kind of a blur, but we were all just reunited with one another. We were starting a new life, all of us together this time. Dumpling head and the prince were making plans since he finally worked up the nerve to ask her to marry him."

[roseeclair]

Ah, so it sounds like Haruka just came from the Galaxy Cauldron too.

"Sounds about--wait WHAT?!" Wait. WHAT?!?!?! "Shut up, Mamoru proposed?! Or will propose?! Back home?!?!?!"

STOP THE PRESSES, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

[heavenlyskies]

Well, it seemed like that cat was out of the bag, so she must not have known yet for some reason. Haruka assumed they all were the first to know, so something strange was going on.

"Is it really that much of a surprise? I mean we knew it was going to happen eventually. It just happened to be sooner rather than later."

Haruka laughed for a moment before putting a hand on top of Makoto's head and ruffling her hair.

"You'll make a cute bridesmaid. But I'm guessing that isn't the last thing you remember."

[roseeclair]

"NO! Okay so... this place has time stuff going on- basically every world but this one's frozen to keep some spell a bunch of loser 'knights' set off from tearing reality apart- so we're all brought here from different times and places. Me, Usagi-chan, and Mamoru-san remember being revived in the Cauldron, but Ami-chan's last memory is back from when Aluminum Siren killed us, and Usagi-chan went to an extra place in between all this! They definitely haven't proposed here! I think."

[heavenlyskies]

"It's strange that Setsuna wouldn't be here then. She had to notice something if there's something wrong with the timeline."

It was a problem too if every world was frozen, then it had to be a pretty serious threat that these knights were posing. It sounded like most of them were about on the same page except for Ami, but even if it was a past Ami they would still be able to work together to take on whatever the threat was.

"Where are these knights at?"

[roseeclair]

"That's what I'd like to know."

No, really, she would, but that's a question for the mods, perhaps. Makoto's face instantly hardens as they start talking seriously.

"Anyway, our mission here is different. Right now it's taking most of Avalon's power just to maintain the time freeze and keep running itself. We're here to replenish magic enough that they can start repairing the spell's damage too. People are cut off from any abilities they had back home- including us- but we're bonded to familiars so that we're able to channel Avalon's forms of magic."

Kaede gives a snort and the briefest nod.

[heavenlyskies]

Cut off from their transformations, from their duties, it wasn't the first time. The four of them, right after Saturn first awoke, hadn't been able to transform or call upon the talismans. That was the nagging feeling in the back of her head it seemed. Listening to the explanation, Haruka was a little critical about just why they needed them to restore the magical power, wondering if there wasn't more to the story than whoever told Makoto had let on.

Looking at the bear it seemed that they weren't to be left completely defenseless. But if it had the magical power to make the familiars why was it struggling so with preparing the damage?

"And how do we replenish it?"

[roseeclair]

"So far? Living in the world and doing magic." A shrug as she says so, but so it doesn't sound like they're just sitting on their hands she adds... "We've also been holding celebrations and rituals to help with the seasons. Like last month was the summer solstice, and we were invited to this fairy city Celliwig to help replenish the sun and moon so they'd keep going for another year."

[heavenlyskies]

That seemed simple enough so far, just being there and doing magic. It did raise the question of where the magic came from then since it needed more people to draw it out and replenish it.

"Well it's good to know the sun and moon will be around for another year. I'm sure that the fairies were thankful for the help too."

Look towards the steps where everyone else was heading Haruka took another moment to finish drying a little from the swim.

"You said that some of the others were here, but from different times, how long has it been for each of you?"

[roseeclair]

Oh right here, she'll give Haruka a towel to help with that.

"It's July now, so I've been here four months; Usagi-chan had already been here a few months by then. Mamoru and Ami-chan got brought here in May."

[heavenlyskies]

"So two months and longer. Time really is strange, because it hasn't been that long since we were together."

Haruka was glad to have the towel to assist, but she would still want a change of clothes once they got where they were going. So hopefully there would be something that fit and looked good. In the meantime, she started with her hair and neck.

"It sounds like it's a matter of time before we're all pulled here."

[roseeclair]

"Wouldn't be the first time, right?"

At least this place is relatively peaceful.

"So... do you wanna head straight to our house, or take the scenic route? Everything's still horse-drawn here so it takes two days and a night to get to Camelot, but the carriages are like really nice cars inside, and we spend the night at an onsen."

Sorry, Haruka, no Ferraris here.

[heavenlyskies]

"We're always destined to be brought together, I don't see why that wouldn't apply to this world as well."

For a peaceful place, it could use a better welcome. Dumping people into a lake wasn't the best first impression that could be made, but at least there was the welcome, literally from the sounds of it.

"Horse and buggy huh? I guess it depends on what the onsen is like, is it worth the detour?"

[roseeclair]

"Yeah, I think so. The hot spring itself is pretty nice, and there's a training ground for people to practice their magic or spar." A rub to the back of her neck. "Then again, this is kind of the first time I've had access to a teleportation spell too, usually I take the long way back anyway."

[heavenlyskies]

"Well then, if we're not in a hurry taking the long way might be good then. If for no reason then to get to enjoy the comforts of the onsen and get to catch up a little more before catching up with the others."

Though teleportation did seem useful,

"What are the limits of the spell?"

[roseeclair]

"So basically you have to learn a recipe for crafting totems from traders that visit the city once a month. You burn the totem and it makes a smoke portal takes you to a statue marker at the matching location. You can take a small group with you. I know the ones that go to Camelot City and the Springs."

And unfortunately, to keep the reward system fair, it's not like Makoto can just teach others the recipes, much as she'd like to.

[heavenlyskies]

"I see. If you have to burn the totem and it takes a while to craft them, then it's best to save it for an emergency then. Taking an extra day or two won't hurt if it's already been months."

Haruka would certainly learn as many of those recipes as quickly as she could though. Along with anything else that would be helpful in a scrape.

"Besides, I need to hear more about this guy your seeing. And what the dumpling head and other two have been up to. I don't need any more surprises adding to everything. And from the sounds of it, we'll have time to talk on the ride in."

[roseeclair]

A nod, and Makoto points to the cliffs with stairs carved into the white stone.

"This way."