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

[takoyakitori]

[Even Tamaki is seeing this is turning into a circular conversation. He considers for a bit, quiet.]

I'm not either. ....If we're both bad at it there's no pressure to be good at it.

[he's not really good at lifting people up, so he doesn't say anything else.]

[capitalismkills]

[Doppo nearly wanted to cry in relief. He wasn't alone. It wasn't Hifumi, but it was the next best person. Probably the better person, considering the host's track record. Besides, it's not like the good doctor could see his expression from here.]

Thank god you're here, it's been an awful trip. Hifumi isn't here, I nearly drowned, there is a giant whale skeleton following me around, I'm pretty sure I've accidentally cursed people like twice already im not sure how this magic things work

i dont even know if the hypnosis mics work im too scared to check, my roommate in the inn didnt thought it looked perfectly normal and im expected to help save the world even if like im pretty sure somehow this is my fault and my boss would find a way still somehow that would be a thing
oh god what if he's here
i cant see any of this working out well
im sorry i should
stop

[capitalismkills]

[Wierdly enough, that brought a faint, but still there smile to his face. It was funny, how alike their thought processes were. After his last disasterous friendship he was still hesitant, but this boy was....]

It sounds strange coming from someone else.

[He let out a sigh.]
My friend tells me I should apologize less. Perhaps we should both take heed of his words.

[capitalismkills]

[Oh he doesn't like that look. That set him on edge and remind him of his boss when he was challenging Doppo to talk back.

Too bad he was too polite-and scared-to say it to this guy's face. He's been nice so far, what right does he have to think badly of him?]

I um, never mind. I'm sure you have it handled. I don't really want to think about that...

[blue_ice]

Which means we need balance...and light, to get back through.

[ He looks down at his phone screen---techno-magic is going to have to do this job. ]

Ready to go? Nothing tempting you?

[blue_ice]

Fine. Second test.

[ Kaiba very carefully selects his next rock and examines it from all angles. He weighs it in his hand. Definitely solid rock. He looks around for anyone nearby who might be pulling a trick...nothing stands out.

And performs the exact same sigil slightly more precisely, improved with practice. All his concentration is on it now. Once done, he crouches and pokes it---

---and his finger bounces back. Thankfully, no explosion. But he's still baffled, even while the serpentine-like creature spins around his arm in amusement. ]

That just happened.

[betweentheseconds]

[ How disappointing a reaction. How weak. No sense that anything was coming at all. But his recovery time is not entirely shameful, and so Zenos's attention remains upon the Miqo'te. Another snowball is snatched up, and he takes slow steps towards him, boots crunching in the snow and snowballs trailing after him. ]

This 'swiving whoreson' is-

[ That imperious retort is cut off abruptly, however. The backlash of empathetic magic hits his completely undefended mind, and all that he knows is fear. His hand clenches reflexively, destroying the snowball within its grip, and all of the others explode in a powdery shower of glittering snow. ]

Hhk-

[ He knows what fear is, knows it as a dim and distant thing that he'd once felt as a child. Knows it at something that went unaddressed, unanswered in a satisfactory fashion, and little by little simply ceased to be when the unfeeling banality of the world became fully known to him. And now, here it is, gut-clenching, heart-racing, unbridled terror, lighting up his mind like a palace on fire.

He does not retreat, but he has stopped short. And there's a sick expression upon his face, eyes wide and lips parted. He is disarmed and vulnerable, if but for the moment, and Cehd'ra might do well to take advantage of that. ]

[jurisprudence]

I would've expected you of all people to recognize simple hyperbole.

Did they tell you what your alleged "talent" is?

[subpoenah]

In a place like this, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a thing.

Kinetic? I haven't really practiced it. There's kind of a lot to take in. How about you?

[jurisprudence]

"Cognitive". It's a type suited to investigation, apparently; the breaking of illusions, perceiving the recent history of objects by touch, that sort of thing.

It's less convenient than it sounds.

yesss good (ㅇㅅㅇ❀)

[hopticulture]

[just wait until they do meet face to face and he finds out he's been talking to a short female rabbit this entire time.

but she was very much alone in high school, and feels a bit empathetic when it comes to voicing self-deprecating thoughts.]

I'll count it as a meeting, part of one at least. So it's good to meet you too, Tamaki.

I hope they started bringing people in a better way than before...you didn't wind up in the lake, did you?

[subpoenah]

It sounds like it suits you, though. Getting the truth, right?

A

[morganknight]

[Yup, that definitely catches the attention of the passer-by, who could definitely pick up what sounds like a threat despite his general inability to notice the broad side of a barn in general. But instead of either preparing to defend himself or running, he stops.]

With what?

[Pure curiosity, not fear or concern.]

A

[morganknight]

Just Japan in general. Sorry. Hello, fellow Earthican, at least?

trial and ace attorney errors?

[morganknight]

[Morgan considers this situation. For one, he's pretty sure that isn't true. For two, he's pretty sure it doesn't matter.]

Then we must fight to the death.

[Immediately, he drops into a martial arts pose that is both ridiculous and ineffective, being as he's doing it while still ducking behind the wall. But in answer to her snowballs, three of his own rise, and even gently spin around a common center over one outstretched hand. Because he has to show off.]

[And then he decides to pick up a wacky accent, too.] Ah reckon high noon's a better time for a shootout, but here we both are now...

Snowball fite

[morganknight]

[It's time for another Good Idea, Bad Idea.]

[Good Idea (hand pulls the cord for a light): attacking a guy from behind.]

[Bad idea (hand pulls the cord for a light): attacking a guy from behind while alerting him to your presence, so that a flick of his hand sends three snowballs hurtling towards the attacker.]

The Red Spring

[morganknight]

The only thing that's really really wrong is that we ended up as roommates. [Because come on, this isn't right.] Pretty sure they just saw my name and thought I was a girl...

[Isn't the first time he'd had that problem. Wouldn't be the last. At least they hadn't assumed he was a knight just because of his last name...]

[But here they are, so what can he do but shrug?] With everything else, I mean... what are you going to do? Grief is natural and valid, and taking time to come to grips with the situation is important. Take the time for that, but in general... we have to keep moving forward.

Caravan

[morganknight]

We get to be heroes, I suppose? [A self-deprecating smile accompanies a shrug, and Morgan is quietly grateful his fellow rider takes up less space than most since he's got these damn long legs to fit in here.]

Trial and Icy Errors

[morganknight]

Then we destroy them!!

[Don't worry! He means with snowballs! Snowballs and teamwork! No matter how grandiosely he might be thrusting a fist into the air to make his point.]

We'll teach them to use sensible strategy!

( b )

[glossophobia]

[ To say that Rosho got carried away with the mini-bar is an understatement. The good news is that his companions in the caravan banned him from further drinking after he'd started to kick up a fuss about how bumpy the ride was, and at least soon after his tantrum, he fell right asleep for a nap that lasted the rest of the travel time. Having a terrible tolerance to alcohol has benefits sometimes.

So obviously, the moment he hears of a hot spring available, he knows that needs to be taken advantage of. This is all a lot to process, he's exhausted, and he's still a bit tipsy from all the little alcohol bottles he put into his system. Rosho preps to step out, leaving his glasses behind, and once he arrives at the hot spring pool the rush of heat immediately makes him sleepy again. Hopefully he doesn't doze off in the water. But before he can dip a toe in a voice catches him off-guard. ]

Ah, hello...?

[ He looks over to the corner where someone seems to be huddled up. He hadn't noticed them at all. ]

Sorry for the disturbance. You here alone?

[ He seems a bit young. Hiding away like that, he probably wanted to be avoided. Now Rosho feels bad but he still really wants to use the hot spring. ]

A-ish/Wildcard}

[menphina]

[ Not exactly when he's having his trouble with his familiar, but after his arrival— she herself has been settling in and is coming by to look for any new and familiar faces. She knows how this works, by now, and if she sees anyone she does recognize, she's going to call out to them.

Even has her traveling bag so that she can give them something warm to wrap around themselves! So as the newcomers are offloading and wandering in, she looks around and ends up (as expected) walking into a figure that seems to be intent on not getting out of the way!

She makes an annoyed sound, ears frizzing as she begins to draw up a scolding when she — sees his face-

And freezes.

So does her little dragonet familiar, even if it doesn't know why she has frozen.

Oh. Oh no.

The sight of who she's looking at brings back the images of horror and pain, for certain- but also the vaguest recollection of something else tied to the world she was formerly in. It's enough to make her take a few wary steps back and stare, however-

Actually, never mind, she's still scolding him. ]

Don't go knocking people off their feet!

[ Why did that not come out as strongly as she wanted it?! She coughs and tries again. ]

And I should warn you, you aren't to go picking fights willy-nilly around here!

[ Actually she hasn't seen a rule like that but- what the hells. Of all the people to run into why did it have to be him?! ]

[optimate]

[ Blair blinks at the man, not certain which between amusement or concern was more prevalent in that expression. She nods, letting the dragon familiar that took a liking to her just perch on her shoulder ]

I am. Just catching my breath for a moment.

[ She sighs out her exhaustion and lets her pride hide her show of weakness. Her expression tempers back to it's distant default, standing up without any assistance. ]

Sharply dressed for a man inside a training compound.

c) hewwo representing osaka division

[glossophobia]

[ After a nice long soak in the hot spring, Rosho's honestly ready to do one of two things: drink more (because he was only allowed so many of those little mini-bar bottles no the caravan ride) or just take a nice long nap.

Too bad, because now he can't do either. Stepping into a room only to find a suspicious scam artist picking apart at a pile of... whatever he has splayed out on a table just kind of kills the relaxing vibe you get going for you.

Goddamnit Rei. Should he say something? Should he just leave? Maybe he should leave. ...ugh god no he can't leave him to his own devices like this. Why does he always have to wrangle his teammates up like this?! ]

Old man. Whatever trouble you're up to, I'm not gettin' involved, got it?

B~

[chriego]

[Misumi is just on one of his regular triangle hunts when the totally normal event of being pelted by a snowball occurs. It catches him in the shoulder and rather than getting upset as most people would, Misumi just grins wide and scoops up a ball of snow, packing it together as he straightens back up.

And immediately throws right back at his attacker.

Who he suddenly sees looks pretty familiar. And he's definitely close enough that he's not making a mistake.]

Taichi!!

[He waves energetically, legitimately happy to see someone familiar, but that doesn't mean he's not already bending down for another clump of snow to throw...]

[optimate]

Hmph. I believe I like you already.

[ She smirks with her comment, yet her eyes remained steady and unchanged from it's stern gaze. ]

From here we can get closer to them by sprinting to the next barrier over there. It has a small gap next to it we can use to strike them from the flank. But I'll need cover.

[ She says, holding her basket closer as if getting ready to run. ]

On three, I'll go and cover you once I make it. Good?

[ Bossy, but she doesn't have time to be polite. The group would wise up about them hiding behind their barriers soon enough. Counting to three, Blair makes a run for it ]