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avalonmods ([personal profile] avalonmods) wrote in [community profile] avalaughs2020-11-30 11:58 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2



{ QUICK NAV }
Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary



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 chilly 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 paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you.

    If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. When not helping people, the turtles are going around and hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals or pushing personal items to the beach near the new arrivals they smell like (belong to). If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. 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, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly.


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, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** to everyone before getting them settled in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and give them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: 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, [community profile] 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.



A ⦿ Trial and Icy Errors

    Winter has arrived in Avalon, and with it has come to a change in the weather. Puffs of breath precede sentences when outside, small fires fill braziers to allow people to stop and get warm for a moment between where they come from and where they are going. Snow has begun to fall; at first, it is the same, fluffy, white flakes many adventurers will have seen. However, as the day progresses, the snow begins to shimmer; it’s like a prismatic effect, a magical light catching against every little crystal and illuminating sparkling flakes, so vibrant it’s clear someone has enchanted the snow.

    Shortly after the change, there will be a text alert to all devices:
    Tired of the same old routine with your magic? Ready for a little something new? Come on out and have an old fashioned snowball fight with a magical twist. Be sure to practice your new powers and have fun! 😉 -Merlin
    Those who come outside to find the rainbow snow already being packed into neat balls by Camelot's citizens; go ahead and grab a basket full but remember, don’t just toss them. Let’s get magic with it!

    Different types of magic will have different effects on the enchanted snow:

  • Use kinetic magic to toss three at once. Nevermind if they suddenly balloon inside and burst into a snow shower over your opponent, throw a couple more; some are bound to hit, right?
  • Throw a little animal magic in there and morph a few into a bear or some other animal of your intent; sorry about his random dance attack, at least your opponent will be laughing too hard to throw a snowball at you.
  • Try hiding them in a shield or cast an illusion with some light magic; better apologize when that goes sideways and the snow hardens, bursting into rainbow crystals at your opponent's feet.
  • Team up with someone who has cognitive magic; they can telegraph you the plan without your opponents being any the wiser... except the snow seems to be picking up on it and sending those thoughts right to your opponent! Perhaps use this as an opportunity to learn control!
  • Maybe you want to try using a little wind magic if you’re of the elemental class; watch out for the rainbow snow squall your perfectly lobbed snowballs will become.
  • Healing magic is one you might not see coming-- enchanting a snowball with healing magic can result in positive mood enhancements. Give your enemies a blast of zen to lower their guard and make them an easy target!
  • A dark magic user might think to add a little hex to their snowball; give themselves an edge... too bad, without practice, that hex might be a little too heavy and burst over the maker before it even leaves their hand! Hope you know how to fix it.
  • Alchemists are welcome to change the shape of those snowballs. Maybe try and craft them into something a little more stealthy or projectile. Too bad that snow seems to want to turn into a batch of butterflies and be free... magic sure is tricky! But hey, they sure are pretty.

  • In the end, it seems while adventurers will be able to get plenty of practice in, some of that practice is going to come from trying to stop the side effects of mixing their powers with the magic snow; welcome to your first lesson in control. If one is going to use magic in conjunction with already magically imbued things, they ought to know the right amount, seems Merlin wants you all to learn in a trial by snowball error.

    Those who practice their magic and participate in the snowball fight will be given hot chocolate, warm soup, fresh baked goods, or other treats to warm them up after their training is done. But don’t slack off! You’re like to find your hot chocolate spiced with pickle flavor, that warm treat suddenly turns to ice cream in your mouth. Avalonians want that practice to happen, and are willing to add some incentive... whether that means the carrot or the icicle.




    All throughout the City of Camelot is a buzz of excitement about the oncoming winter solstice on the 21st. Citizens will tell you of the winter solstice's importance in cleansing the flow of Avalon's magic each year and absorbing sunlight to increase its potency. In other words, the winter solstice generates a significant amount of magic if the proper ritual is followed, so the visitors from other worlds really should head on over to Albion's White Cliffs.

    A ⦿ The Darkness in the White Cliffs
      The first task that you'll experience during the ritual is asking the Cliff Beast's permission to enter the cliffs. Though they look wholly solid on the outside, these cliffs contain a veritable labyrinth of magical caves that weave in and out of the chalky cliffs. As there is danger within these walls, it is recommended no one go alone. The Cliff Beast will only open a door to the caves for parties of two or more who present him with a gift. The gift doesn't need to be something significant, just a show of courtesy-- a lovely rock or a seashell will do, placed at the base of the cliff. The only gifts he will outright reject are precious gems and metals. Honestly, they make him a little nauseous-- and you don't want to see a cliff beast nauseous. In fact, if you try it, the Cliff Beast will suddenly burst into a rockslide right near where the gem was left. Watch out!

      Once you gain entrance, you will find there is no light within the caves and the door seems to close behind you. Non-magical lights won't illuminate anything within these caves, so you will need to either navigate through the darkness or find a magical means to light your path. Be wary-- traveling in the dark will be a much safer journey if you can find your way through the caves and keep track of your companions. The reason there is no light are the bat-like creatures that eat energy like fire and electricity. With the magical light attracting them and nothing to consume, they'll be very aggressive and swarm anything emitting heat.. like an unsuspecting traveler. Make too much noise, and the Cliff Beast will spit you out back onto the sand and you'll have to start over.


    B ⦿ "For a greedy man, even his tomb is too small."
      Those who persist within the caves will eventually come upon a room whose ceiling glistens with bioluminiscent microbes that are too small for the bats to eat. These little glowing creatures create reflections in the room that show just what it contains-- glimmerings of precious gems, gold, and other treasure cover the walls and floor, save for a large flat stone altar in the center. There are many hand-crafted clay cups filled with what appears to be water. The side of the alter has a very simple message: "TAKE ONE CUP TO THE SPRING, LEAVE THE REST. SPILL NO DROP." Sure enough, this matches with the instructions you were given about the ritual: Take a cup of waters harvested by the Asrai, a fairy that lives within the walls of the cliffs that cultivates it every year to bring to the Red Springs for the Winter Solstice.

      There is no clear warning about what will happen if you take anything besides your one cup. However, characters who disobey this instruction and take any of the riches within the cave will initially experience severe symptoms such as magical blockage, an endless common cold, and food turning to ash in their mouth. They will experience dreams in which they are urged to return the treasure and a day later, advanced symptoms if it goes on for too long have been known to result in vomiting frogs and snakes, insomnia, speaking in tongues despite the translation spell, bleeding from the ears, and eventually death.


    C ⦿ Drink Up
      Those who listen and take the Asrai's cups to the Red Springs will notice while carrying the cups, all creatures and threats will leave you in peace. Neither rain nor snow will touch you, parting from your path in both the sky and on the ground. The effects will only last as long as you don't spill a single drop. The ritual can still be completed, but the protections only work if you don't spill-- otherwise you'll be fighting off weather, creatures, other people, and whatever else you encounter as the effects of a spilled cup will cause those around you to try to steal your cup without thought for your safety, even if they might not even think to do normally.

      Upon arriving at the Red Springs, a party of people there to guide those who have made the ritual's journey to a particular pool within the vicinity of the springs. Characters will be directed to take a sip, then pour the rest into the Spring alongside your peers, finally throwing the clay cup itself into the spring. Throughout the day, you will begin to feel strangely giddy, but it will pass. Nothing much will seem like it happens otherwise, but the guides assure you that you will understand on the night of the winter solstice when the ritual is complete and your body becomes a conduit to purify and rejuvenate Avalon's magic.

      For now, as thanks, the guides offer you one of the celebratory gifts they have to offer-- free drinks (this time of the age-appropriate alcoholic or sugary variety), a free night's stay at the Red Springs, a yule log, an escort, a Recipe: Snow Dance. (Effect: Snow Dance will cause small flurries to pick up where the spell is cast, resulting in decreased visibility. Only works if snow is already present, as it cannot generate elements.) The choice is yours. Pick one.




    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 may 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.

    *This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count.
    **Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.
    birdflipping: (078)

    [personal profile] birdflipping 2020-12-03 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
    Suit yourself. I'm Nero, by the way. 👋
    unhappy: (em-v8-8)

    B

    [personal profile] unhappy 2020-12-03 09:26 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Emerald is decidedly torn about being around new people and new scenery and... being around new people. She can get along with other people just fine, but it's rarely genuine because she doesn't like peppy people and tends to prefer sarcasm and being mean to each other. Negativity feels more honest.

    She's been keeping mostly to herself this whole time because of it, and because she has no partner or leader or back-up of any kind here, or even her own abilities to get out of a tough situation. She looks a little weary when Rei approaches. ]


    That depends what you're asking.

    [ She knows better than to agree to things without hearing the details first. Especially now that she's in way over her head in her own world. ]
    arf: (teary eyed boy)

    [personal profile] arf 2020-12-03 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Taichi's finally made it to the springs.. somewhere he can properly bathe and maybe get a change of clothes... and of course he naturally ended up holding his breath under the water when he accidentally messed up his colored contact and ended up scaring some poor soul. ]

    Help.. my contact's stuck...! Can't see..!

    [ ...Definitely not a real zombie. ;O; Just a poor boy who doesn't usually wear contacts and didn't realize he should've taken them out before going in the water to bathe! ]
    unhappy: (em-v8-8)

    Training Area

    [personal profile] unhappy 2020-12-03 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Emerald raises an eyebrow at the girl on the floor. Not that she can judge- Emerald is a floor-sitter too. But she doesn't usually sit on the floor with a dragon. ]

    Tired?

    [ She kind of is too. It's a different story getting used to not having an aura to protect her from the cold or keep her energy levels up. ]
    morns: (14)

    [personal profile] morns 2020-12-03 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
    ( ... it worked, but now she's got two snowballs sat in front of her and a lump of snow in her hand.

    ...never mind that, then.
    )

    Don't think they intend it to work like that.

    ( said lightly as the sounds of snow crunching underfoot crackles behind her, the failed sneaking of someone trying to get one over on them both.

    Kate has one of her pre-made snowballs in the air before she even turns around, launching it towards the direction of the sound as it splits into three.
    )
    glossophobia: (13976951)

    closed prompt for 🐦

    [personal profile] glossophobia 2020-12-03 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
    [ The way light barely floods into the entrance to the cave is a telling enough sign that Rosho doesn't want to step in. Aren't they rather ill-prepared for a trip like this? But then, maybe there's someone else inside, or there's lanterns or torches (isn't that a bit medieval though??) further in. His partner for the trek in the caves, a rather large quiet man, steps forward, so Rosho can do nothing but rush along beside him.

    The doors slam shut behind him. Rosho immediately startles, a hand darting out to try to find his companion's hand or arm or just something he can hold onto so he at least knows in what direction he's supposed to go in.

    Isn't this usually the opposite way things should go, a person with glasses not being able to see a single thing? ]


    W-wait, shouldn't we have gotten flashlights? Something to help so it's not so dark? I can't see anything!

    [ There's only their mutual footsteps. And then, in the distance, a faint sort of squeaking sound, the flutter of wings. Rosho's blood runs cold. ]

    I think I'd like to go back...
    birdflipping: (067)

    [personal profile] birdflipping 2020-12-03 12:05 pm (UTC)(link)
    What's wrong with my way? It's practice, isn't it--?

    [Nero watches as she launches snowballs into someone behind her without so much as turning around.]

    Ouch, that's cold. [Literally, even.]
    crystalsfused: (pose)

    B

    [personal profile] crystalsfused 2020-12-03 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
    [...there is something familiar about the man, even from behind. He knows that form, he knows those scars... the voice just makes his ears perk up and a grin form on his face. Jophrey!

    With every familiar person he has met thus far recalling Duplicity as well as he does, G’raha feels no particularly need to question him. He brings himself close, perching at the edge of the water.
    ]

    For someone supposedly held at the Creator’s mercy, you seem quite relaxed, my friend.

    [It’s meant to sound teasing, but instead it comes off as cheery - G’raha’s a little too pleased to see a friend unharmed for him to sound anything but delighted.]
    morns: (14)

    [personal profile] morns 2020-12-03 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
    ( oh, is that how we're playing this? that declaration only makes her more determined to scoop up a handful of snow, packing it tightly, and launching it towards him.

    the first wave — thanks, magic cloning? — is really a distraction for the second shot, where she skips the creation of a snowball entirely to push a stream of loose snow at him with her magic.

    (you can thank Nero for that idea.)
    )

    Not a chance.
    morns: (9)

    [personal profile] morns 2020-12-03 12:42 pm (UTC)(link)
    Didn't say there were.

    ( just that Merlin is probably sitting somewhere, twirling his presumed beard, and sighing.

    ...well, whoever that was, they're backing off now. looks like their keep remains defended. and, speaking of keeps, this spot would benefit from more defences. and maybe some weapons.

    she hums, pressing her hands against the snow and attempting to lift it with magic.
    )

    Think we could turn some of this into a wall?
    emet_sulk: (36 thought we might chat)

    White Cliffs

    [personal profile] emet_sulk 2020-12-03 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
    If it had been left to him, Emet-Selch wouldn't have bothered to volunteer to help bring a cup of water to the Red Spring. But, as ever, he'd been roped into it by better, more generous people. For now he seems to have parted from them - or rather, whoever he came with has run off and left him to stare tiredly at the white cliff face. After a few moments, he casts a bored look around those who are preparing to head inside and spots a young boy attempting to levitate a small mussel.

    Out of idle curiosity, he sidles closer. He easily towers over them.

    "Aren't you going to offer that to the cliff beast?"
    whosaysdajare: (👏)

    [personal profile] whosaysdajare 2020-12-03 01:35 pm (UTC)(link)
    Ah? Old man, I've got some years ahead of me till ya can say that sorta thing. [ This old sleaze...! But Rei saying such only means Sasara takes it with the humor it's meant to hold. Sure, they side the same on some things. ]

    Business, yeah? What, figuring ya just got here that's just like ya anyway, and thinking on your sorta pursuits I don't trust that it's nothing shady this time!
    emet_sulk: (09 it can't be)

    B

    [personal profile] emet_sulk 2020-12-03 01:37 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Emet-Selch has taken a basket of snowballs for himself and sat out of the way with them, hoping to avoid being drawn into the snowball fight happening amongst the rest of the arrivals, old and new. His familiar sits on its haunches by his feet, watching him try to scribe runes into the side of the enchanted snow.

    It's just as a plethora of snowy butterflies have taken wing that Zenos' projectiles whack him on the back.

    Irritated, he swivels around, mouth open to deliver a scathing indictment on the person responsible. But when he does see who it is, he freezes. Of all the people to arrive here... ]


    ...Don't tell me your father is about to join us in a moment, [ he says, still with a bite of annoyance in his tone. ]
    emet_sulk: (Default)

    [personal profile] emet_sulk 2020-12-03 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
    Not a question as such but a comment - I didn't realise until I was looking through the Reading page, but I wonder if I could suggest using cut text to hide the lengthy part of the post?
    whatsamada: P4AU (Whole Lotta Love)

    [personal profile] whatsamada 2020-12-03 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
    It's nice to meet you, Nero-san! My name is Ken! (o´▽`o)ノ

    By the way, have you been here for long? What do you know about this place so far?
    whatsamada: P4AU (Whole Lotta Love)

    [personal profile] whatsamada 2020-12-03 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
    I'm not sure.

    It's friendly for a place where we are kidnapped. I can't complain if everyone seems so nice.


    [A beat] For now anyway.
    whatsamada: (Default)

    [personal profile] whatsamada 2020-12-03 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
    [As Ken looked around, he couldn't stop sniffling.

    Luckily, it didn't take too long before he spotted a bus]
    Is that where we're suppose to go? [He said before giving a chuckle]

    This isn't exactly how I planned to start my day here!

    whatsamada: P4AU (Whole Lotta Love)

    [personal profile] whatsamada 2020-12-03 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
    Then how about we start hiding for now? We need to come up with a strategy if we're going to win this!

    [Maybe Ken was taking this too seriously? He wasn't sure but he was already plotting out various methods of how this will turn out!]

    Especially if you know how to use magic. You have a better grasp of it than I do so we might have an advantage already. [That and Ken really has no idea what he could do here]
    cameprepared: <user name=axiometric> (9)

    [personal profile] cameprepared 2020-12-03 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Yeah, I think? It was from one Umbrella Corporation office, to presumably another."

    She just assumes he's heard of them. They are one of the world's biggest companies, after all. The rest of it though, that's a lot to take in.

    "And, okay, Lady of the Lake? Like, King Arthur and Excalibur and all that stuff?"
    cameprepared: <user name=axiometric> (4)

    [personal profile] cameprepared 2020-12-03 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
    Dunno.

    [Actor. Okay. Zombie costume. Seems pretty tasteless given what's going on (she has no idea that she's not on her Earth anymore) but fine, whatever.

    Focus on the practical.]


    I washed up on shore maybe five minutes ago. There's some lady helping people to shore, and a bunch of turtles? Seems kinda Disney to me, but I don't know much more than that.
    cameprepared: <user name=axiometric> (15)

    [personal profile] cameprepared 2020-12-03 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
    You think it's kidnapping?
    Like, deliberately so?
    phoenixwiz: (When He Smiles)

    [personal profile] phoenixwiz 2020-12-03 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
    Harry nods a bit, he has never heard of the Umbrella Corporation Claire is talking about, but when she asked about the Lady of the Lake, he does have some answers to reply in return, “Yes, that Lady of the Lake. She is the guardian of this lake, I guess, and she would assist anybody who couldn’t be able to swim to ahead for the shore.”

    As for King Arthur and Excalibur, he wasn’t sure, given that this world’s King Arthur is nowhere to be since, though he does know much of his world’s version of the Arthurian legends, “I actually know of the man, though that knowledge is from my world. I haven’t seen this world’s version of the king so far.”
    emet_sulk: (10 stoicism)

    A

    [personal profile] emet_sulk 2020-12-03 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
    While the gaelicat's caterwauling attracts its own sort of attention, it's Jophrey's voice which attracts Emet-Selch's ear. The Ascian had been in the town square browsing job listings when the first caravans bearing another set of arrivals halted. The damp cat's protestations can be heard a malm away.

    He wanders over to observe everyone. And then his eyes fall upon a familiar figure, a familiar face. Almost without realising, his feet take him to where Jophrey is and he halts a few paces away.

    "...I see you made it here after all."

    His tone is carefully controlled. He stands with arms folded across his chest, face expressionless. His own familiar isn't around at the moment but it will come if he calls.
    phoenixwiz: (Channeling My Inner Hermione)

    [personal profile] phoenixwiz 2020-12-03 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
    Sounds good, we will make it look like we just give up while we’re planning behind their backs. They will never know what they’re going into.

    (He nods in return when Ken admits of him being able to use magic than he is, though he could teach some tricks in return.)

    Believe it or not, I actually learn magic in my world beforehand, but it is different. In here, I could make things move at will, maybe I could provide a distraction to get them confused before you can deck them with more snowballs.
    groundzeroes: (♚ 016)

    [personal profile] groundzeroes 2020-12-03 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
    What, you don't trust me? That's a shame. Can't imagine why! [Said with all of the emotion of someone who knows he's talking COMPLETE bullshit.

    As for the shady pursuit in question, though... Rei's expression sobers a bit.]


    So tell me, Sasara-kun. What do you think about this place? The whole "we summoned you specially to save the world" spiel, and all.