avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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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.

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Ha! Caution. Good instinct. [Smart girl.]

You're here 'cause you're trying to figure out this new magic system, yeah? [His voice dips a bit on the word magic-- revealing just a little of what he thinks of THAT.]

You figure out what type you got? 'Fraid mine's more of an affecting kind-- was hoping for a practice partner for a bit.

Light, apparently.

[ It's partially what she could already do, but in a very different way from how she did it back home. It's much more annoying to create illusions with light than to tell people's minds what they're seeing and hearing. But there's definitely more she can do with it, apparently. If she can figure it out. ]

What kind of affecting? I'm not letting anyone hypnotize me if it's that.

[ She heard some people talking about that anyway.. no way. ]

Oh, no. Nothing like that. [Although he kind of wishes it was.] I've ended up with dark type. Which means tripping up the nervous system, I suppose? --tried it on myself, but no dice. Probably too weak a charge to self-inflict, if I had to guess.

So how about it? [WELL... if anyone could just ask someone to let him practice phantom pain on them, that person would be Rei.] I don't mind playing guinea pig for light stuff in return. What'd they say that was...

Illusions, hard light...

[ It's not that it wouldn't be useful to have someone helping her, but she's not really used to anyone helping her with things like this.. and her priority leans more toward basic needs like food and shelter right now. ]

I want money. I'll be fine making a living once I get my magic figured out, but until then I need to be able to afford food and shelter.

[ She's used to giving herself migraines with her own ability back home, so she's sure whatever beginner's nonsense he can throw at her is probably going to be fine.. ]

Money, huh? Got your priorities in the right order, missy. [Rei laughs. He doesn't dislike straightforward people-- and it feels like he could get along with this one.]

That being said, though, of course I'm in the same boat. [His voice is the same amused lilt it's been, and his smile hasn't dropped-- but goddamn, seriously. This totally sucks. BEING BROKE SUCKS????????]

So we got two options, then. [Unless Emerald's got ideas of her own] First, we put a pin in it and I find you later when I've got what you want. Second-- because from what I understand, they've got room and board for us at that inn indefinitely, so we're not on a time limit-- we negotiate something else that's useful to you.

What do you think?

[ She can act nice and play along and be friendly, but without a partner to talk about people behind their back to vent, she's pretty sure she'd just stress herself out for no reason. She's not infiltrating anywhere, she'd rather just ask for what she wants. And life has taught her not to raise her expectations super high with that. ]

I'll take jewelry. [ She can sell jewelry. She doesn't know where a fence is here but she's sure she can figure that part out. ]

Or an IOU for a...

[ She squints at him. She was going to ask for a job guarantee once he figures out what he's doing, since he looks like he's probably successful normally but.. he also looks like he's probably successful at pimping so that may not be safe. ]

You can just owe me enough money for a month's worth of food if you don't want to hand over anything now.

[ She doesn't know how to ask for a dollar amount yet since she's too new to the currency to know what it means in hers, lien. ]

What's your name?

[He thinks it over. Normally Rei wouldn't even blink over bargaining with his jewelry-- but now that they're up Avalon Shit Creek without a homeward paddle... the items on his person unfortunately now have a note of sentimentality to them.]

I'd just end up buying the jewelry back anyway, so... let's cut out the middleman. Monthly stipend it is. [Rei holds his hand out for a handshake.]

I'm Rei Amayado. And you?

Emerald Sustrai.

[ The hair color makes it pretty easy to remember, and if not, there's a gem-shaped emblem on the back of her jacket. Her world's real big on colors and everyone having their own logo. She holds out her hand to take his, hesitating for just a second to add a couple of stipulations.. ]

Nothing permanent. You have to help me figure out how to undo anything that's not going to fade on its own.

Ha ha, of course. [Frankly he's definitely not good enough at this magic shit to inflict ANYTHING permanent, but no need to admit to it out loud.] You have my word.

[Anyway, on to business. Rei clicks his tongue at his familiar, which has been preening itself off to the side; the phoenix flutters to his shoulder, wings spread as it keeps its balance. It peers down at Emerald with mild interest.]

This is too slapdash to really count as a proper experiment, but... it'll have to do. Here. [Rei holds both hands palms-up, obviously for her to put hers on top of.]

Gonna start with phantom pain. Left hand-- my left, your right-- is the control group. Right hand is what I'm actually gonna try. Let me know if you feel it. All right?

[It takes a moment, but a pins-and-needles feeling will crawl into Emerald's skin where it touches Rei's on the indicated side. Not particularly painful, but certainly uncomfortable.]

Got it.

[ Pain she can handle. She's been through plenty of it, something little won't bother her, she tells herself. ]

There's not anything proper about this entire situation...

[ She shouldn't be here alone. The whole deal she was promised was that she would never be left to fend for herself again. It's a thought that boils inside of her even now, though she keeps it down low. Especially when she starts feeling the pins-and-needles. She gives it a look for a second, then rolls her eyes off to the side. ]

My hand fell asleep, so you've got phantom mild annoyances down.

Ha! Well, that's good to know. Could still be useful. [Does it count as Cruel and Unusual Punishment?

Rei continues working, eyes cast down at their hands.]

Sounds like you aren't too fond of this whole place, ah.

Are you?

[ She doesn't really have any place she's fond of, so she turns it back around on him.

She shifts a little uncomfortably. She knows he's trying to focus, so she's resisting the urge to pull her hand back to try to shake it off. ]

If you want it to be effective, you'll have to learn to do it a lot faster. You can trip someone up in a chase or get them to look the wrong way if their perception is off.

Hell no. [LAUGH. HE HATES IT HERE]

Hmm... I think I get your meaning. [Speaking while learning to do magic for the first time ever in your life is a bit tricky...] Guess it's all about the smoke and m--

[ZAP]

[ Okay, that gets her to laugh. She prefers it when people are real and admit when stuff is shit than people who are constantly looking for the positive side of things. A hell no is real, and that lightens her mood a little.

She jumps back at the sudden spark between them, out of reflex. ]

Ow!

Ah-- [Rei's first reaction is reflex, like Emerald's; his hands jerk back from hers. (The Hou-ou on his shoulder chirps unhappily at the disturbance, fluttering to stay balanced.)] My bad, my bad.

[He can't help it, though-- the comedic timing was too funny. Rei snorts out a laugh, smile genuine.]

Okay, so that's how that works, I guess.

[ Okay, she's shaking her hand now to try to.. she doesn't know, shake the feeling out of her. ]

So, how did you do it?

[ She doubts it's going to help her, but she might as well ask. If anything, she thinks she might be able to offer him advice, but she's not going to offer it up unless she thinks it's useful. Not because she's against people knowing, but she's used to keeping quiet about herself. ]

I'm not quite sure how to explain. The same way it's hard to explain how you move your leg, really. [Rei flexes his fingers, looking amused.] Like with muscles, there's a difference between thinking about moving some part of you, and actually moving that part of you... though I suppose I should be grateful for that.

[Anyway. Enough musing from an old man from normietown.] What about you, Emerald-chan? Are you one of those types who came from somewhere that already had magic? I'll be honest, this is my first time with it.

Huh.

[ That's not helpful, and yet kind of helpful at the same time. Or maybe she's just lost, so anything sounds like helpful advice. ]

People who train can activate their aura, which is kind of like... a shield and healing rolled into one, and from that you can develop a semblance, which is a unique ability to that person.

[ And more open access to magic is something a little different. ]

What's "chan"?

[Rei was going to comment on Emerald's explanation, but her last question grinds that thought process to a halt.]

Ah? "-chan" is.... wait. Hold on.

[To Rei's ears, they're both speaking Japanese-- and quite well, too, so the question throws him off. Excuse me? Huh? Wait? Hello? Are they being... auto translated?!?! Is this more magic shit he didn't even think to notice.... WELL THAT'S JUST LOVELY]

Emerald-chan, humor me for a moment. [He's about to ask what is probably going to sound like a VERY stupid question.] What language are we speaking right now?

[ She's about to give him sass for calling her that again when he implores her to humor him. She crosses her arms, but answers. ]

Remnant.

[ or whatever their canon language is supposed to be but that's their planet..

But oh. Wait. ]

How are we...?

[Rei runs a hand down his face and sighs, expression finally breaking from his grin into something more disgruntled. Not at Emerald, but at Avalon in general.]

I really shouldn't be surprised. But, seriously... [IS THERE ANY OTHER MAGIC HE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT]

It makes you wonder what else they slipped in without asking first.

[ Ugh. She doesn't like other people messing with her life without permission. It happens all the time but she doesn't like it. ]

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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