avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 9

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 9

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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

behave like a penguin

Margaritaville Pair Challenge

giant schooner

(Recipe) Hangover Moveover

B ⦿ Surf New Turf

aquatic 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.

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

B ⦿ Of Wards and Worms

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey, hey!

[ They ought to get it over with. But going into the challenge with this kind of attitude feels like they're already giving up before they even started.

So Minako takes a step closer towards the other, smiling at her widely, and trying to look her in the eyes. ]

You believe in us, right?

[ Look at this almost blindingly hopeful look on her face. ]

[Honestly someone that hopeful is absolutely painful to Maya. She used to feel like that. Boundless belief that anything was possible. Maya breaks and looks away, not really able to take that.]

I believe we can try...

[Maya's not really sure what she can succeed at. She's pretty sure she can drink that hard and be okay. But that isn't something she can just say out loud.]

.. but not more than that?

[ Minako doesn't really look upset as she says that. Or worried. She just keeps smiling at the other, though the way-too-wide smile has definitely softened into something smaller, but still warm by now.

There's something about Maya's attitude right now that Minako kind of recognizes. ]

You know, you'd be surprised at what you can do when you put your mind to it.

I know what I can do when I put my mind to it.

[I know what I can't do no matter how I try.]

I don't think you know exactly what you're getting into. That's all. But I'll help you do this, and give it my all.

[Maya almost smiles, her lips move like she was thinking about smiling then stop before really making any sort of expression.]

Promise.

[ There's another moment where Minako just stares at the other girl, as if she's trying to determine what she might be feeling or thinking, but then she just smiles when the other reaches that 'promise'.

Maybe she shouldn't consider it too much here. This is still someone she's only just met, after all. Minako could be reading too much into it, so she moves right back to her playful mode, letting out a 'pfftt' kind of sound. ]

Trust me, if I had ten cents for every time someone told me that, I'd have.. [ .. ] Well, let's just say, a lot of money! [ Because Minako is the definite queen of underestimating things. ]

Now come on, let's go!

[ She starts heading in the direction of where they're filling up the glasses. ]

[It takes Maya a few seconds to follow Minako, because she has to process what Minako just said. There's a little more concern in Maya's voice than she expected.]

That's not encouraging. You meant it to be encouraging?

[But Maya follows in Minako's wake, somewhat reminded of home with this.]

I meant it to be reality, of course!

[ Hey, Minako may be shameless.

But she is very honestly shameless. Isn't that half of the fun? It keeps her smiling, anyway, as she's standing there while watching them fill one of the big glasses for them. ]

But I think it's better to look at these sorts of things positively. If I think I can't do it, then of course I can't! But as long as I think I can do it, then there's a chance.

[The Tori vibe going on here, minus the casual drinking for fun, was very strong. Absolute belief regardless of any evidence to support. And a desire to just do things. Although there was a hint of the Old Maya there too, that confidence she had once upon a time.]

Alright, I can see how that might work for you.

[That didn't work for Maya anymore, but who was she to judge how others made it through life. She was kind of a fucking mess after all. It made that ridiculous title this girl gave herself a little less ridiculous. But only a little.]

I'm Maya. Do you have a name, as I'm not calling you the Goddess of Love and Beauty. At least not sober.

[ Minako winks. ]

So that means there's a chance? [ You know, in case this drink does not leave them sober. It does seem like there's a whole lot going into this huge glass right now.. Though Minako mostly seems to mean it as a joke - hence the wink. ]

But it's Minako! [ She guesses she'll live if someone doesn't refer to her as a goddess. She guesses. ] It's nice to meet you! You know, even if it's under these.. weird circumstances.

[ After being dragged off to another world like this is some sort of manga story. ]

Yeah, having a weird day. Some Goddess of Love and Beauty decided to strongarm me into a drinking contest.

[Maya actually smiled. Not- like, a bright beaming light of happiness. But enough to show that her soul wasn't dead. Her voice was a little more casual too, with some feeling in it. Instead of someone lost in the woods, talking to themselves more than others.]

Also everyone I know is frozen in time, and instead of helping them I'm at a carnival. And I have healing magic.

[Because she was aware of what Minako meant with 'weird circumstances' but Maya does have a few fragments of the old her rattling around in her brain sometimes.]

Hey, I know which of those two things is weirder!

[ But Minako doesn't sound upset either. Something about the shift in Maya's tone - no, in the other girl's entire demeanour - makes it clear that she's just joking, and so Minako happily goes along with that, throwing back a remark in very much the same fashion. ]

It's a lot, the whole.. being brought to this weird place out of nowhere, and everything surrounding it.. [ Though Minako says it much more casually than she feels about it. ] But I think that's exactly why it's good to focus on the lighter side of things first, you know? Something tells me we'll probably have plenty of time to think about the more serious stuff later and try to process that.

It's pretty 50/50 to me on this.

[Of course the time stop magic world was weirder, but Maya, the old Maya. Would joke. And here, that felt right. While there's more life to her voice, and her expressions, it's still a bit weird. Not- even approaching energetic for a teenager.]

So... because it's a lot to get used to, the answer is to get really drunk with a stranger- or a new friend?

I can go with that.

[ Minako winks. Then she just pulls out a double finger guns gesture on Maya, letting out a bright laugh. ]

You've got it right!

[ What better way is there to get used to a place than that? Being by yourself is no good when it comes to this sort of stuff. ]

So, do you want to start the challenge, and I take over midway, or would you rather do it the other way around?

[How very carefree. Still, endearing in a way. Even if there was a lot to give Maya worry.]

Hmm... We probably don't want to drink for that long at a time, it's cold. We probably want to pass it back and forth about every ten seconds or so?

[That's what felt best to Maya, in any event. Maybe she's taking this too seriously.]

Oh.. You're got technique! [ Which Minako, apparently, seems appropriately impressed by. It's written all over her face, especially in the way she nods as she seems to consider it. ]

That does sound like a good plan, but it hinges on the idea that we'd be good in passing it back and forth! Want to try that out for a moment with an empty glass?

We'd want a full glass, and just not drink from it as we pass it. The thing is huge, the weight will factor in.

[Maya's never been good at half-hearted. Which is why no hearted is her go to mode most of the time. Now that she's at least somewhat invested in this, moreso helping Minako than actually wanting to win for herself. Well, she's not going to hold back.]

Having a good timing on our passes would make it easier to win.

Sure!

[ Minako doesn't seem turned off by what the other is saying at all. Quite the contrary - the moment Maya indicates that, Minako is already waving at the person pouring the drinks, telling them to fill up one of those glasses for them before she turns back to Maya. The glass, meanwhile, is getting filled in the background. ]

.. You know, it seems like you're getting pretty into this. [ There might be a teasing edge to it, sure, but most of that smile on Minako's face is 100% genuine right now. It's good to see Maya getting into the spirit of the competition! ]

You want to win, I want to help.

[Was that all? Maya could never be too sure. Did she actually think this would be fun. She didn't think it would, maybe she just wanted it to be fun. Maybe, in some way, she didn't want to let down this complete stranger, who seemed happy.]

Let's just leave it at that, and see how well we do.

[ That's.. a surprisingly sweet thing to say.

Minako isn't too sure if the other is only saying that to cover up any potential own amusement, but it doesn't matter. It's still a sweet thing to say so openly, especially since they don't even really know each other yet. Minako just dragged this other girl into this, and Maya actually wants to help her.

It makes Minako's smile even a bit more genuine, and it doesn't fade as they get handed the glass. Minako is the first one to take it, but the moment the bartender releases his hold on it, she immediately lets out an 'oof'. ]

Why is it so heavy?!

[ Because it's big and full of liquid, Minako. Please. This is not a difficult thing to figure out. ]

The laws of physics.

[There is a hint to a smile in her voice, if not on her face when she says it. Amused at the fact this girl has no idea what she's doing and definitely needs help.]

New plan. We both hold the thing, and help each other sip from it. At least until it's a little more empty? We only have to worry about the timing of how long either of us sips.

[Maya places her hands under Minako's to help hold the glass up. Two of them being better than one on this, right?]

Can you accurately count seconds out?

[ Apparently there's no protest to that plan on Minako's part, since she doesn't mention anything along those lines. Instead she just answers: ]

Well, I don't know about accurately..

[ Especially if they're going to be drinking this. Who knows how much it'll cloud their senses. ]

Will that be a problem?

[Maya blows out a soft breath, figuring out how to make this work with a complete stranger. Well... she was in this now, no backing out just because there was always a setback.]

I'll keep the tempo then.

[Maya starts tapping her index finger against Minako's hand, in a perfect mechanical rhythm of one tap a second. She was mostly functional when drunk, she could play flawless music tired, drunk, stoned... maybe not write when drunk or stoned but she could keep a basic rhythm going.]

When I've tapped your hand ten times, we switch. Got it?

[ There's a very brief pause, and Minako even closes her eyes for a moment. Like she's trying to get used to the feeling of that tapping on her hand, trying to memorize the tempo. Just so she can know when it's ten times without having to count too actively in her head. No way the latter is going to go well if she's drinking this much.

So she slowly nods then. ]

Got it.

[ Seems like a sound plan. ]

So.. should we start now, then? I can start first!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 9

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