TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

[avalonmods]

{ 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, 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.

Comments

E - have a curious fox spirit~!

[individuates]

[Kaoru's familiar normally sticks by him - pressing right up to his left side, like she knows the absence he feels there, even cuddling into bed with him as if to alleviate the emptiness he feels, like the bed won't fit him.

Kicchi - Kaoru has had to call her something for the past month. He hasn't been bitten for it yet, so it must be acceptable - has barely even left his side since his arrival. That makes it all the more surprising when she pricks up her ears, and then dashes off in the complete opposite direction.]

Hey- wait--!

[For a brief moment Kaoru feels almost lost, wheeling around and realising quickly Kicchi hasn't just rushed to his other side, but she's gone pelting through the snow in the complete opposite direction - faster than Kaoru can go without slipping, abandoning him to follow her pawprints.

She reaches Hikaru first instead - blocking off his path if he's moving, nudging his hand or his leg for attention if he's still, her tails fanning out in curiosity]

a; let's abandon our groups and start a number name division

[champagnetower]

[Luckily for Rei to get a fellow conversationalist! Hifumi is in heaven as he soaks in the hot spring. He made a mental note to himself that he should take advantage of this more than he usually would.]

Who knew fairytales could become real, huh?

[He lets out a silly little giggle laugh, looking over at Rei's familiar.]

The creatures are suuuuper cool! They really say a lot someone, don't they?

[helms]

[It’s impossible to miss the... unicorn in the room. It’s a large creature in the clearance of their shared living space—shaped quite unlike anything he’s seen before—bowing its head at Kain in quiet greeting. He should be more distracted by it than he is, but he’s seen all manner of creatures thus far, even followed by his own familiar, who takes this moment to swoop in. A small dragon with bright turquoise scales flits in, landing its serpentine body on a desk nearby. It coils its tail around its form and folds its wings, settling in for comfort.

Kain doesn’t remark upon either of them just yet, barely acknowledging the extended hand. He doesn’t complete the gesture, leaving his roommate hanging and flinging a question his way instead.]

No. Did you lose something under the bed?

Not-boyfriend's bestfriend's been shouting at him for 20+ years. No lessons have been learned so far

[kiss_it_better]

The darkness was calming in its own way like that.

He doesn't laugh but his smile did quirk up just a little more, a subtle change that could be easily lost in the darkness. "Then, I'll put my safety in your hands."

Though he could fight well he prefers to act humble and low-key.

"I doubt it will be easy to find another companion at this hour." But he paused, "did your familiar come with you?"

[toothaches]

<sub>[When the little dragon enters, Maurice's face lights up. A dragon! Sometimes he feels like this is just one of those weird dreams you have when you die since the last thing he remembers of his own world was walking out into the desert clutching a bottle of Everclear. But he'd gotten enough bumps and bruises in just a day that it really was looking like he was waking up any time soon.]

[Kain's words break the spell instantly and Maurice looks down at his lonely hand. He quickly shoves it in his pocket.]</sub>

No...I was just making sure nobody else was in here. I seen a special on TV once about this serial killer that would hide under hotel beds and--anyway. I'm Maurice!

1,2,3... AND ZERO DIVISION (REPRESENT MATHEMATICS)

[groundzeroes]

[Well, would you look at that. Hifumi Izanami in the flesh. Looks like that Kannonzaka sap won't be alone for long. Lucky him!]

Heh. You think so? [The phoenix in question makes a purring coo, rearranging itself with a haughty flutter.] So, tell me then. What do you think my familiar says about me?

[groundzeroes]

[It would be a right shame for Ramuda 01 to bite the dust before they get back to Japan... Rei isn't done with him yet.]

Who, me? I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a paragon of virtue if there ever was one. [Har har. But seriously, though:] That depends on how things go here. Bit hard to do much of anything on so little information, so I'll play along.

[So.] Have you been here long? Are the girls cute?

[whatsamada]

Fine, I won't.

But that won't stop me from judging you if you do anything questionable.

[groundzeroes]

Hah! God, no. One look at you makes it obvious I'd lose in a second. [LMAO.....]

No, not quite. More like... maybe we could team up against someone else. [He looks out at the winter wonderland they've both been simply observing-- there are plenty of schmucks uhh, opponents already in the game.] 'Fraid my magic's more of a debuffing type. Figured learning to use it would be more useful with someone like you alongside... if you're up for it?

[unhappy]

[ As long as there's more space. His wider shoulders will help her have more wiggle room. It's too bad she can't seem to find someone Hazel's size, but whatever. This guy will do. She didn't expect him to give her his coat, though, so she looks a little surprised when he does. ]

I meant to put mine on so the magic would size it to you, but thanks.

[ She's not gonna say no, his coat is pre-warmed. She holds out the one she picked out to him anyway so he doesn't get cold either. ]

[honorkept]

I once followed an order that believed in saving the world. The methods that they went about saving everyone meant damning others.

[ The tone which he uses isn't one of admonishment, however. Back then, he did not think that there was anything wrong with that sort of thinking. A perfect, peaceful world could not be created without sacrifices. He fought hard for the sake of his family, and knew it hypocritical to wish for their happiness without having them sacrifice anything, but still... ]

I don't believe these people are as blind as the ones I once followed. I believe they are more as the Savior. I believe that with those gathered... so long as we do not lose sight of what we're going to achieve... so long as those in power do not lose themselves.

[ Which will be something they will have to keep an eye on, of course, but. ]

We will be able to save everyone.

[irritated]

[Oh. It's a kid. Hikaru can be a jerk but he isn't going to keep up the attitude with an actual child. Though he can't help his grumpiness either because yes, she's young but he's also only a teenager.

He sighs, still grumbling.]

Give me it. Did you get these? [He shows her the earbuds they were all also given. If she doesn't know what they are then he'll assume she's somebody else from a weird world. This isn't his first time dealing with this.]

[capitalismkills]

I think so...I swear he was here. I wasn't like making it up.

[God, he hoped he was. There was his phone right where he left it, and when he checked his briefcase, everything else was in its place, including his mic. Good, the man hadn't actually touched anything. He should hurry while the man was still out, not knowing that Rei had transferred rooms already.

Supressing some shivers, he threw on the clothes and left the room, almost closing the door wrong in his haste to just get out of there.]

Sorry...I forgot to ask where you were staying.

[The whale floated over his head gently.]

[helms]

[While not entirely certain what a “teevee” is, he can work well enough with context clues to assume it’s another strange device of many that seem so prevalent in this world. A brow lifts at the suspicion of killers hiding beneath the bed frames, and Kain crosses his arms.]

Do you distrust our situation so?

[Not that anyone should be blamed for feeling similarly; Kain still has his doubts, his wonderment as to the reality of the situation, if their worlds are really frozen in time, or on the brink of disaster.

Also, an introduction, what’s that?]

And do you intend to leave your familiar here? Perhaps you needn’t me to say so, but the creature takes up much space in such small quarters.

[capitalismkills]

stop that hifumi's gonna read this and get a big head
then i'll have to deal with that bullshit

I still dont know why Sensei picked us but they both believe in me so much i feel like wanting to be a better person even if its just for them

i'm happy for you too....its always the annoying ones i guess. only ppl like that can handle such constant muck building up inside us i guess

we will have to meet up when everyone is situated; i'd rather have lame jokes than overtime any day. i apologize for hifumi in advance too; he can be very intense

[irritated]

[Hikaru has run into a lot of these types of people, like they're from some older time long before electricity. Or at least things like phone. Hikaru looks him up and down, frowning.]

Figures I'd sit next to one of you. [A bit rude to say without any explanation but right now, he doesn't care much about his manners. With a sigh, Hikaru turns to help him figure it out. It was different than other things he's used but he's already figured his out.

Pointing to the buttons, he shows the volume button.] Up is louder and down is quieter. Power button is here but if you really want to listen to whatever it is, use these. [He shows the ear buds.] It makes it so only you can hear what's going through, got it?

[kiss_it_better]

[When an energetic person.

Chang Geng was sure he'd never been this animated even as a child.

He listened patiently, turning to look where she's pointing. He looked thoughtful for a moment.]

I have healing magic. From what I've heard, the other types of magic besides that would be alchemy, light, animal, dark and cognitive magic. [He had asked the teachers for more information as his first order of business. He...did have a way to test for healing magic but the way he did it was...well.

Not exactly how other people would probably prefer to test for it.

But most importantly...]

That's all I know from asking. Magic isn't something I have experience with, so the only advice I can offer on that front is that sometimes when we're trying too hard to do something it becomes more difficult.

[He speaks, patient and unhurried. He reaches into his sleeve to pull out a small leather pouch decorated with gear designs. Inside is a small package wrapped in paper.

He holds this out to her.]

But as far as I know, the best way to gain the favour of an animal is through patience and food. If you'd like to give it a try?

[Wrapped carefully inside the paper are two muffins he had taken from the breakfast room that morning after he'd eaten his own breakfast. Hey, free food is free food.]

[capitalismkills]

[Ramuda puts him on edge!!!!! Not that it took much to really do that.]
that's what people say but look i dont have much faith in the world to get me out of work that easily
something else worse will take its place probably
or only my workplace is unfrozen

[cameprepared]

Japan? Yeah...I'm from America.

[Lunatia gets a puzzled look though.]

[cameprepared]

Is that what kind they gave you?

Or, this world gave you?

[menphina]

Suppose you're just lucky, then.

[ Normally she'd have just turned tail and run, instead of bothering to even catch his attention. That would have been easy, wouldn't it? But no, she just has to say something.

Thank goodness for her time on Lunatia having gotten that out of the way, at least.

It hasn't taken away the sheer discomfort she feels being around the man that has been the source of so much pain for them all, and she has half a mind to just leave him there and maybe find a bow to fling the towel at his head like an arrow. She has no bow, at the moment, so this is going to have to be done the way most normal folk do it.

She just fixes a firm glare on him, though. ]

Don't be petulant. People are walking this path and a hulking figure blocking their way isn't something anyone needs. And I'm just a Matriarch of a tribe. No one you'd know.

[ Unless he had some interest in Keeper of the Moon tribes that weren't Eorzean, which she highly doubts. She groans aloud and pulls the damned towel out before unrolling it and holding it out to him. ]

Dry yourself off. You're going to make people stare.

[helms]

[He’s quiet for a stretch, letting the consideration run long. It sounds a bit like mischief wrapped up in rationale to him, but Kain cannot deny the logic; this was a training ground to test their new abilities, even if it was couched in an activity as absurd as a snowball fight.

He, too, will have to find a way to wield his magic properly. As much as he’d like to improve on his own, without the help of strangers all around him, Kain understands that this is unreasonable — strangers are all that he sees.]

Very well. What type of magic do you wield? “Debuffing”, you said?

[irritated]

[The more Taichi speaks and how obvious it becomes that Taichi had wanted to see him, Hikaru can't really fight the tears back anymore. Emotional was one word to describe Hikaru and Taichi has seen it in many forms. From him getting angry to him being happy to this, his emotions come out full force when he feels them. Right now, he's beyond happy to be here with Taichi.

And much like the other boy, he doesn't want to think about anything other than right now because there's too many things to unpack. It's better if he can just soak his friend in and know that they're together and they haven't been separated. Maybe it's bad they're stuck in some other world but again, that's for later.]

I...I know...[And yeah, his voice cracks and he's crying just like Taichi. Out of happiness and relief that he isn't alone.]

Fogueria. Hello nerd.

[cameprepared]

[A woman with a sword, huh? Well, weird, but it isn't like it's something she hasn't seen before. And calling out for help with...well, hell that must be the target then. Fine.

Claire drops into a shooter's stance and takes a shot with her pistol. It barks once, the bullet striking the flame-beast and seeming to startle it more than hurt it. Well, she should have figured.]

I'll do what I can!

[Quickly lowering the gun and raising a hand, she focuses on the link with the strange dog that lopes out of the forest at her side and begins to try a spell. Red lightning crackles along her fingertips, but fizzles before she can get the spell off. Her own inexperience seems to work against her.]

Just...gimme a sec, distract it if you can. I'll...I need a sec. New to all this spell stuff!

[cameprepared]

Heh.

[She chuffs a weak, half-hearted laugh.]

Not sure if I personally would agree with that, but my brother's been a big part of my life. And I've been lucky to have that, I know.

What's your name, dude?