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

I only did it because we needed to press our advantage, and we had no other options. I knew even at the time it'd make you suspicious.

[He just couldn't tell him the truth, not when the tides of war were finally turning in their favour. It risked everything falling into disarray if the wrong questions were being asked at the wrong times.]

And-- Yeah, that's my real name. [He's put up with a lot of strange experiences here in Avalon, but for some reason, this is the strangest. A consequence of all that secret-keeping for over half a decade, he supposes.] Everyone knows me here as Claude, but you can use it instead if you like. It doesn't seem like I have much reason left to hide it.

I, at least, kept my theories to myself. I'm afraid Hilda has hardly been to cautious with just how much she lets her tongue wag. Any number of ridiculous theories!

[Including that Claude had left the Professor broken hearted and run off on her. Not that Lorenz suspected anything romantic there at all, why in the world would he? Surely not. There was far too much work to be done regardless.]

Perhaps... in private, then. I wouldn't want to make trouble for you, explaining yourself and all. [Another Look, half teasing half scolding. Explaining himself is definitely not something Claude is good about.] I... imagine it would be something of a relief? To be able to use your real name again, I mean. The very idea of spending so much time going by a pseudonym...

[Lorenz' pride would never allow it but, trying to put himself in the other man's position even is a difficult mental exercise for him.]

Oh, ha ha. [Claude rolls his eyes and smiles at the ribbing, looking a little more relaxed now that he has a better idea of where he stands with Lorenz, even if this whole topic is still something that instinctively sets him on edge. To the question, he looks outside at the moving scenery passing the carriage.]

To be honest, being "Claude" was a relief in its own way. My mother being from Fodlan, people in Almyra hated me. Then I got to Fodlan, and people hated me for being from Almyra. But once I was recognised as a legitimate heir with a Crest, and a name people would accept, suddenly I had status and respect... Crazy, isn't it? It kind of felt like fate pulling one big prank on me.

[Which isn't to say he hasn't had his problems, Count Gloucester foremost among them before Edelgard declared war, but it seemed manageable compared to daily hatred and contempt.]

[Lorenz is quiet for a long moment, watching the other man as he stares out the window, pointedly not looking at him. He can hardly imagine what that must be like even though he is all too familiar with the hatred Fodlan harbors for anyone different. But then, some of the most loyal and, dare he say, noble people he has known have been those not of Fodlan. Dedue's unwavering determination even when he could have joined them, Cyril's love for Rhea despite her failings, even Shamir's ceaseless dedication to the cause and Catherine both.]

Well... [He has to say something even though he's not entirely sure what to say. But, as per usual that just means something embarrassingly earnest comes out without his permission.] I just hope, one day, being Khalid will be a relief too.

[It's sappy and emotional and not the sort of thing Claude would ever take seriously so he's just... yeah, wow that view. That.... sure is a forest alright. Fascinating. He doesn't even realize he's tensing up waiting for the teasing but he absolutely cannot look him in the eye after saying something that foolish.]

Lorenz... [His gaze shifts back over to him, and there's a small smile on his face. It was a sappy thing to say, but he does in fact take it seriously. This really wasn't how he was expecting this conversation to go.]

I think it will. That's what my dream was about, after all -- but it's also why I had to leave. Nothing is ever going to change if I stay in Fódlan forever.

[It was both a selfish and selfless decision, and he understands well enough why it lead to hurt feelings, when he knows he probably never explained himself to anyone except Byleth.]

But anyway-- [Subject change before things get any sappier!] Where we're heading now, everyone is from all kinds of lands and other worlds. In other words, we're all outsiders. My old worries aren't such a big deal here after all.

[Things had changed already, though. So much, really. He understands why Cla- Khalid felt he had to leave but he's not ready to let go of just how much that had hurt quite yet. Something to guilt him about for a little while, at least. The shift of subject is a welcome one, though. Lorenz stumbling for what to say about him leaving that wouldn't be accusatory or imply that-

Well... after all they'd followed him through.... if he'd only asked... Marianne? Ignatz? Leonie? Certainly but-

Ah but that's a dangerous line of thought and one he has no intention of following, much less considering the potential of.]

It sounds a bit chaotic when you put it like that, you know. [Other worlds entirely? It sounds like something out of a faerie story.] I suppose, though, after everything else this isn't the strangest part.

[That would prooooobably be their Professor being some sort of homunculus.]

Ah, but the chaos is all part of the fun! [Claude grins.] At the end of the last moon I threw a big feast, and got everyone to bring food they liked from their own worlds. So many people showed up and pitched in, it was a blast.

[And a shame Lorenz couldn't be there, but there'll be other opportunities for similar things in the future, he's sure.]

I'm sure you'll find it all fascinating when we get to Camelot. We'll stop at the Red Springs along the way, but after that, we can carry on to the city. I'll give you the grand tour!

[Lorenz smiles at that, warm and just a little bit indulgent. Throwing feasts already, hmm? But then... he doesn't actually-]

How long have you been here that you're already organizing feasts? Or have you simply made such affairs your business out of want for else to do?

[The places don't really mean anything to him but he does make a mental note of them. If only so he can be affronted at the idea of hot springs and shared bathing spaces later. It's one thing in the field at war but in civilized company?!]

Well... About four moons now. And it's not because I'm bored -- it actually has a very important purpose!

[Besides being an elaborate scheme to con the city into bringing him lots of delicious food (and trying not to die eating Flayn's cooking). That stuff is important too, of course, but... He leans forward in his seat, as if letting Lorenz in on something confidential.]

There's no real unifying force tying us people from other worlds together. We have a common goal, sure, but we aren't organised, and there are people who bear grudges from their pasts in their own worlds. A few fights have even broken out because of that. So I nudged a guy into organising a militia to protect the city, independent from Arthur's knights. After some of those conflicts had blown over, I threw a feast, and made sure to invite everyone -- even the people who had been involved.

Long story short, I just want to make sure everyone respects each other and gets along. We're going to need it if we have any hope of saving our worlds.

[The dramatic conspiracy of it only has Lorenz cocking a brow.... but once he realizes what Claude is saying he looks away, frowning, caught between anger and shame.]

Ah good cause, to be sure.... one I.... am afraid I may have been a detriment to already.

[A side-eyed glance and now that he's had some time to calm down and understand what's going on and such he can't help but feel ashamed of himself.]

My conduct upon seeing the Emperor was... less than becoming.

[That catches him by surprise. He sits back again, brows raised.]

You ran into Edelgard already? What happened?

Largely... we snapped at each other briefly and then she went on her way.

[Oh don't look at him like that Claude.

He shifts uncomfortably, idly returning his attention to the little rose, all alone curling out of the seat cushion. Anything not to have to meet the other man's eyes just now.]

I was already rather upset and confused, of course and- [A vague, helpless little gesture. Something that would be dismissive if he didn't feel quite so much like he'd somehow disappointed or, worse, undermined the good faith that the people here were trying to build.]

Of course. Getting dumped here and then running into her would be a shock for any of us.

[He understands. Sure, Claude wouldn't react by snapping, but he's an expert at bluffing his way through unexpected situations. He wouldn't expect the same of most anyone else.]

I don't know what was said between you, but you should know she's not quite the Edelgard we last saw in Enbarr. She's from... a different Fódlan. [A slight hesitation, then--] One where Teach chose Edelgard's path instead of ours.

The Professor would never condone the sorts of practices Edelgard used in the war, don't be ridiculous.

[Absurdity and madness, he refuses to believe it... he'll have to once he talks to Byleth but... for now he dismisses it out of hand. No matter if even Claude wouldn't joke about something like that or whatever else he might think.... that is not going to change until he has to face her.]

I think... seeing Ferdinand was a bigger shock.

[Claude won't bother to argue the point; he's used to Lorenz's stubborn attitude when he gets in these moods.]

Oh, Ferdinand is here? That's news to me. But why were you shocked?

[Smart man. He'll get there eventually just... give him time.]

He... was in the lake, too. I- [Lorenz gives Claude a strained look then, incredulous that he would ask such a thing but also hurt... whether over Claude seemingly forgetting how close the nobles had been or just remembering Ferdinand at all is hard to say. Still his voice is small and pained and he shifts his attention back to the scenery before he dares to say anything more.]

Of all our fallen classmates... I would never have dreamed-

[He's not going to cry over Ferdinand again. Really he's not. He simply needs a moment to collect himself and, more importantly, he needs to not have to say it again.]

Ah. [Claude realises belatedly what it means, and now he wishes he'd never asked, seeing Lorenz's distress.]

I'm sorry... I didn't know. The way I remember things, he fought alongside us, surviving and helping us defeat the Empire. [Unless he fell in battle after that, perhaps?]

[Lorenz looks startled by that information and the moment of staring, wide-eyed, at Claude will make it clear just how much he's struggling not to lose it again, not over Ferdinand.]

He... remembers the Empire winning. I- [He shakes his head a little, it's clear enough what he remembers, Claude doesn't need any details if he doesn't have to remember everything that happened after Myrrdin was retaken.]

Easy, Lorenz. [Claude reaches across and rests a hand on his arm to steady him.] Sounds like he's from the same Fódlan I told you about.

[The one where Byleth took Edelgard's side, as much as Lorenz doesn't want to think about it now.]

I know how much you and Ferdinand are good friends. [Were good friends?] Just take all the time you need for it to sink in.

He doesn't know.

[And that is the worst part, so far as he's concerned.]

About the Agarthans, the Church, Rhea... none of it. He-

[A deep breath and he lays his hand over Claude's on his arm, squeezing gently, grateful for his support in that moment.]

He has no idea what he even died for.

Yeah. We can assume from Hubert's letter, the Flame Emperor, all that secrecy... that most everyone didn't know. I've kept my own share of secrets, so I know I'm in little position to judge-- but things would have been a lot less messy if Rhea and Edelgard both hadn't hidden so much.

[Sure, they had their reasons, but it was still frustrating, piecing together the truth little by little and coming to realise such a huge threat had been under their noses the whole time they were fighting amongst one another.]

But there's little point in arguing with Edelgard. We've all suffered in the war, but laying that at her feet won't get her to budge on a single thing. You saw how she was back in Enbarr, right?

Stubborn and insufferable.

[He practically hisses the words and there's an anger there that is uncharacteristic of Lorenz, not his usual haughty indignation but something far uglier. Which, given what he's said regarding Ferdinand, is not so surprising. Still it's not the sort of thing he'd let anyone see even if he did have the capacity for it and he raises a shaky hand to half cover his face as soon as he says it, shaking his head as though he can deny it.]

I'm sorry... She is infuriating but doubly so when her lies hurt the people she claims to be allied with.

[A heavy sigh followed by a deep, steadying breath.]

I worry what other lies she's going to tell him here. What other fate she might lead him to given the chance.

[Claude withdraws his touch, frowning, but he'll let the outburst slide after that apology.]

Give Ferdinand a little credit in all this. He chose to follow Edelgard of his own free will, even knowing she hadn't been honest to them and had hurt people as the Flame Emperor. He had to have known what he was getting into to some extent -- that there were things happening behind the scenes that he didn't understand.

[Even if he can be a little... single-minded at times, in other ways Ferdinand is sharp. Claude's never been especially close to him, but he does know that much.]

He still chose to believe in Edelgard's vision anyway. All we can do is respect those choices, even if we don't agree with them.

That is hardly much different than saying I chose to follow Father's instruction at every turn.

[The return of his huffiness at least is an indication that he knows Claude is right.... he just doesn't like it. And there are a lot of parallels in how much Lorenz and Ferdinand both looked to certain individuals as infallible and had such a desperate need to prove themselves. Ferdinand had given himself a far more achievable goal with Edelgard, in some ways. It's all a mess but it's far easier, for now at least, to lay the blame squarely on Edelgard.]

At least, somewhere along the way, you managed to convince him. He... certainly never listened to me. [No matter how much he had begged before the Professor had taken a decisive action that Lorenz would never have been able to bring himself to do.]

Is it? Edelgard's regime removed Ferdinand's father from power, and Arundel seized his lands in Hrym territory. Ferdinand joined them, and presumably allowed that to happen. It was an extreme decision, one he must've put a great deal of thought into.

[Back at the Academy, Ferdinand had been all talk about surpassing Edelgard and the pride he took in his father. Then -- in Edelgard's Fódlan, at least -- he turned on his father and unseated him.

If anything, it's the complete opposite of Lorenz blindly obeying Count Gloucester.]

As for our Fódlan, I'm sure it was Teach who convinced him to join the Golden Deer, not me. Dorothea wasn't too thrilled at the time, but well... [He laughs at the recollection. Dorothea's as fond of Ferdinand as any of them, these days.]

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