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

[tsuyoi_ame]

[Yamamoto is definitely down for a regular, old fashioned, competitive snowball fight.

He was so busy laughing at his bear that he does not notice until there is a splash of snow on his back that he has an "enemy" on his flank.

When he does though there is a whoop of laughter, the young hitman whips around. Bright smile, clearly not minding that the shouted incoming meant it was coming for him]

Return fire!!

[Well why not, it seems to be how the game is played right? Either way, he'll throw three snowballs, one after the other right at Crow and he is in motion the next, going to dive behind his rather jaunty dancing bear!]

[milkmycattle]

[ The teen seems to take the snowball to his back in stride, laughing and willing to play along. Crow's glad someone knows what the hell fun is. However, when the stranger yells about returning fire, the lead singer braces himself for another snowball. Yet, he receives an onslaught of three snowy projectiles instead. Crow's not expecting it, forcing him to dodge them as best as he could. Although the last one manages to smash against his shoulder.

Crow is about to counter when he sees Yamamoto dives behind his bear. No fair! He balls up a few more snowballs waiting for the other teen to peek from around his familiar. Not long after, Crow starts to get impatient and decides to pelt the bear with snowballs, hoping it will move and diminish Yamamoto's cover.]

[tsuyoi_ame]

[The bear does not so much move as actually burst into rainbow flakes all over the swordsman right at Crow lets loose with one of those snowballs, it explodes in his face and he is laughing harder than he already was.

About the same time his Akita comes bounding through the piles of snow and takes off with a snowball in his mouth, running right for the other male, Jirou in fact drops it at Crow's feet as if playing fetch.]

Traitor! [he calls after the dog, except there is no anger, and Yamamoto is grabbing up snow and packing another set of snowballs to lob at his newfound friend, because, for him, this is how you friendship, so welcome to the list of people he likes Crow, it is a very long one!]

1/2

[milkmycattle]

[Crow's not expecting the bear to explode in rainbow. He stands there stunned as he watches one of his snowballs hit Yamamoto in the face instead of the belly of his familiar. It's kinda cool, but dude...is that bear okay?!]

What the heck?!

[ Yamamoto doesn't seem concerned, maybe their familiars just go poof like that. He doesn't have much time to dwell on it when Jirou runs up to him, snowball in his mouth and anxious to play. This little guy must belong to that teen, too. The redhead bends down to level with canine, his own tail wagging as he admires the dog.]

Heh. You wanna join the fun too, eh?

2/2

[milkmycattle]

[Akita dog works as a great distraction since Crow becomes interested in the canine rather than the snowballs Yamamoto starts to make. Once he launches them at him, it hit him squarely in the face causing the musician to topple over into the snow. He shakes off the snow, raising a fist at the dark-haired teen.]

Hey! That's dirty! Using your adorable dog to cheat!

[He grasps for any snow he could reach, jumping up to his feet to hurling some more balls at his opponent.]

[tsuyoi_ame]

[The bear was actually just snow infused with animal magic, Yamamoto's familiar is patiently sitting in the snow, more wolf like than anything else, even if its eyes do have a red tint to them and it sometimes seems to be made more of smoke than solid flesh with the way it moves. So the bear should be fine he thinks.]

[Jirou does want to play too, his going to Crow was in no way a command from his human, he wouldn't have thought to use the pup as a distraction as the Akita was just loving the snow too much to anything else. So when the other yells this, the Akita laps his face once with his tongue unless Crow stops him that is and the teenager doubles over in laughter.]

Jirou just likes you I didn't tell him to do it!

[One hits him, he rolls out of the way of the next, takes the next one, and after that throws two of his own back as quick as he can, grinning, clearly having the time of his life.]

[milkmycattle]

[Crow didn't see the wolf-like creature sitting in the snow. So the bear is purely magic, that's a relief. His attention returns to the dog as licks at his face. He chuckles a little as he rubs the top of the canine's head.]

Oh, he likes me? Is that so, little guy? You got good taste, Jirou!

[Though the ego boost only allows Yamamoto's counter snowballs to hit him. He let out a yell of frustration as one hits his cheek and the other his chest. Not the face! Now that teen going to get it!

He molds a few more snowballs, clearly having just as much fun as Yamamoto. He aggressive launches a few more in rain guardian's direction, pitching them with a bit more speed and intent.]

Take that, Crimson Avalanche!

[Wait, is he making attack names during a snowball fight? He sure is.]

[tsuyoi_ame]

[Jirou is here for the pets man, keep them coming, he'll just be invading Crow's space entirely with his large body and soaking up the attention. It's one of Yamamoto's favorite things.]

He's a good judge of character.

[So obviously this guy must be a good guy, Jirou likes him after all. Whoops, that was not his intent but he is still laughing as they hit, which means by the time the crimson avalanche comes at him, he is taking both right to the top of the head and then his face respectively. Sputtering out snow and still laughing]

Haha nice attack! [Cool name too and hey he is talking to a guy with an entire sword style full of named attacks. He's good with it.

For now, he is scrambling to get more snowballs together, he could use his sword or his magic but this way is far more fun.

He'll launch two, doing his best to hide the third in the line of the first two. Maybe he'll get lucky?]

[milkmycattle]

[ Well, Crow isn't really the nicest person, but he certainly does have a good heart. Sometimes it becomes shroud by his own ego, but at the core, he'll fight the world for anyone he cares about. He spares a moment to pat the dog's side before, grabbing up more snow. His hands were starting to get cold, but he still has a bit of fight in him. He laughs as Yamamoto takes the hit. Yes! It looks like this guy has good taste if he thinks his attack is cool.]

You like that one? I'm just warming up!

[Of course while he's running his mouth, Yamamoto initiates his attack. He sees the two snowballs coming at him. Yamamoto doesn't have to be lucky about the third one, because Crow clearly doesn't have much battle skill to see through the young assassin's maneuvers. So instead of getting pelted by two snowballs, three rain down on him. Shocking the redhead as shakes the snow out of his hair wildly.]

Hey! What was that? An invisible snowball?! You really are sneaky!

[Guess he's dealing with a professional! He molds a big snowball and uses all his strength to throw the mass over towards Yamamoto's side. There's nothing stealth about his attack since the shadow gives away the trajectory, but when it falls it's bound to cause a mess.]

Prepare yourself for The Headless Snowman's Revenge Grenade!

[What kind of attack name is that?!]

[tsuyoi_ame]

[Yamamoto operates in a grey area as to what he considers a nice person. Meet his mentor and one will find out real quick. Or some of the people he has called friends, including those who nearly took his life. All things he has forgiven moved past and still considered a person his friend after. So a good heart may be a step up over some.]

Awesome! [And it is followed by a happy chuckle and a clear young man who is going to go all out and have fun doing it. When he is called sneaky it nearly doubles him over in laughter.]

Hid it in the shadow of the other two! Neat trick huh?

[Absolute professional snowballer here, actually just a guy who likes to pitch thanks to the baseball and happens to be good at it.]

Whoooa it's so bi---- [Opps should have moved and he is now covered in snow, sputtering it off and batting at himself before just shaking like a dog, raining rainbow-colored snow everywhere.]

Hahahah!! You have to teach me that one!

[milkmycattle]

[ Crow is not used to deception or people having a duality to their personality. He's used to people being straightforward and wearing their emotions on their sleeves. So it's hard for him to envision Yamamoto as anything other than a goofy teen, who's really formidable at snowball fights. There's nothing that gives away he's been trained to be an assassin of sorts but Crow can detect his skill.

As Yamamoto gave away his trick, Crow nods his head thoughtfully. So that's it. It's not an easy thing to pull off. The timing had to be just right to conceal the third snowball within a shadow.

Either way, he's pleased Yamamoto is too shocked by his snowball to even evade it. That's what he calls shock factor!]

There's no secret to it, the height was only going to accelerate the fall and cause an explosion on impact. Though, it's really heavy!

[Crow cracks his back, that last snowball truly took much effort. Though he flags Jirou down to give the dog more scritches behind the ear, so he must not have injured himself.]

We got him, didn't we, boy?

[tsuyoi_ame]

[Yamamoto in sports, battle, and any form of competition is surprisingly tactical. Meeting him in any other normal scenario he seems what is just a happy young man with a good disposition. Though he does come off a little more oblivious than he actually is.

He is nodding, not sure he can do that but man if he keeps going in these snowball fights he is definitely going to try it out.]

Haha! I'll have to try it.

[The swordsman has no need to crack anything instead he just grins, watching as Jirou soaks up the attention from Crow like the happy Akita he is, he even gives a bark in response.]

You did! I'd say you win.

[He strides over, propping his hands behind his head with a wide grin still.]

Good fight!

[milkmycattle]

Try it! And give it a badass attack name too! That's part of the power behind it!

[Now Crow is acting as the expert that he's clearly not! Though he had fun playing with Yamamoto, especially because the teen had a crazy arm and he didn't take things too seriously.]

Yes, I'm clearly the winner, but you weren't so bad yourself! You had some crazy techniques up your sleeve!

[ Crow will pretend his hands don't have hyperthermia by casually rubbing his hands underneath his cloak. Cold? No way, he's always burning up!]

Let me know when you want a rematch!

[tsuyoi_ame]

My sword style is all named attacks so you bet I will!

[Of course it does, all good attacks have to have names. Yamamoto is totally on board with this.]

Hahaha! Thanks!

[Yamamoto is the complete opposite, he is going to rub his hands together and blow on them. No shame in him showing that his hands are cold after the snowball fight, especially when he has no gloves.]

You're on! Anytime, after I can feel my fingers. [He chuckles.]

[milkmycattle]

[Crow chuckles. Feel his fingers? Yeah, Crow didn't notice it was so cold before, but now that the snowball fight is over, the chill hits hard.]

Not that I'm cold or anything, but I'll probably head inside.

[The redhead is clearly shivering and his tail slowly turning into an icicle, but he won't admit weakness. He starts to trudge through the snow to the closest establishment, he looks over his shoulder at Yamamoto and Jirou.]

Are you coming?

[tsuyoi_ame]

[The swordsman is definitely feeling the cold, he appreciates the jacket he was given and tucks his hands into the pockets.]

Hahaha! Yeah, can only snowball fight so much.

[He doesn't think anything of it and the swordsman is about the raise a hand in goodbye when Crow asks if they are coming, the teenager and Akita look at each other before the dog bounds forward to follow and the hitman chuckles, nodding.]

Sure!

[And with that he follows after his pup and the musician.]