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

KISSU

[conquester]

[The soft spoken voice was unmistakable after everything the pair had endured together with their time shared in Lunatia, Iskandar's eyes almost bulging from their sockets as he quickly turned on the heel of his boot. Radiant locks of hair countered by the man's beautiful features left him speechless once before and now again as he could not believe his beloved knight of the round was here.]

It cannot be...Tristan?!?

[Approaching slowly at first before picking up speed closing whatever gap was between them to stand before his companion, hands splaying over the others hips at first before immediately wrapping about him in a tight embrace, burying face into the nook of the man's shoulder.]

My beloved knight of the round...How I have missed you so.

blush

[offtuned]

[ Tristan tenses visibly when the giant of a man ignores his order to wait and comes toward him. However, he can't stop Iskandar that quickly, and the man has the former Knight in his arms an instant later.

And Tristan, his heart aches but it flutters in relief at the same time. How can this be? How could he be so fortunate as to not lose another love from the cruel currents of fate... ]

It is really you... Isn't it? It's you.

[ He still can't seem to grasp the idea that they'd both remember each other and appear once again in some strange (not so strange) place. . . ]

[conquester]

[Compared to the world of Lunatia this place almost felt like home, roaming hills as far as the eye could see and lush forests with castles of grandeur, perhaps even more so for his beloved companion given the namesake of its major city. Pulling back just a bit he looked Tristan in the eyes followed by a solemn nod, happy smirk stained over his features as left hand moved to brush a few stray strands of red locks hiding the others gaze.]

It is I, Iskandar, King of Conquerors and my heart has not betrayed you.

[In all honestly he could not even begin to imagine what a hardship that might be if one or the other forgot their memories shared, extremely thankful for that as they find themselves together at the very least here in this newfound world.

Almost on cue the fellow Heroic Spirit tipped the knight of the round's head up, forehead bumping the others as his next words ushered past parted lips little louder than a whisper.]

My knight in shining armor...Dearest Tristan...

[Closing the gap betwixt their lips to share the first of many intimate kisses here in Camelot if he had any say, tilting head ever so slightly to deepen it with a soft groan vibrating out.]

[offtuned]

[ Dealing with the whole "Camelot" thing was something Tristan would have to face, though right now it's overwhelming enough to simply see that he and Iskandar have arrived here together and with their memories in tact. Tristan has always been known as the Harbinger of Sorrows... it seems physically impossible for good fortune to have struck him.

Even if he has technically been dead for a long time and his sorrow-bringing probably doesn't even count anymore. ]

I cannot believe...

[ Though it matters little what he does or does not believe, since the King of Conqueror's is stifling his doubts with a sweet kiss that had grown so familiar to Tristan over those months they spent in that other foreign land. He can't help but to feel himself melt into it little by little. ]

[conquester]

[In truth Iskandar never thought he would see his beloved Knight of the Round table again or even if they had crossed paths remember their time together in Prismatica, to be blessed by both was something else entirely, King of Conquerors overwhelmed with blissful joy! Slowly he peels his lips from his lovers own as a sincere smirk forms over his features, nodding in regards to Tristan's sentiment before capturing him for a kiss.]

Truly a marvel to be sure and I am thankful to whatever powers that may be in this newfound world! I will not squander our time together here, come my dear Tristan let us make haste to the city and begin our journey!"

[Taking up Tristan's hand within his large own Iskandar led the way to the nearest available carriage, ducking his head as he scoots inside. The lavish interior has the Heroic Spirit chuckling modestly as he finds himself utterly amused.]

Is this not a glorious affair, Tristan? A romantic carriage ride for the pair of us, now tell me...this land bares the namesake of your own Camelot. Do you believe this to be your true homeland?

[offtuned]

[ Eventually the weight of all this would crash down on Tristan's shoulders, but for now he feels compelled to leave all his worries behind. As usual, the King of Conquerors has a way of rallying up the spirits of others and leading them straight into foreign lands or unchartered territories.

This Camelot may not be either of those things, or it may be both. Either way, he feels like he is ready to embrace them. ]

Yes, of course. As always, you will find me by your side.

[ He takes the larger hand in his own and approaches the carriage. Small wonder that they both fit in there... but rather than be distracted too long by that, he glances at Iskandar at the question, shaking his head. ]

I cannot say. For even in our own world, Camelot's reality could be warped. Only time will tell.

[ Though he glances out the window of the carriage in a moment of anxiety. If this is Camelot, then perhaps Arthur will be here. ]

[conquester]

[Perhaps to others Tristan's words would have been disconcerting but the King of Conquerers was unfazed, simply grinning contentedly followed by a burst of amused laughter.]

It matters not my dearest companion as long as you are by my side we shall overcome any and all threats who stand in our way!

[Spoken like a true king rallying his vanguard, hand grasping the other tightening with renewed vigor.]

[offtuned]

[ Tristan has never shared Iskandar's overbearing optimism, and perhaps never will. But that doesn't change the fact he still feels encouraged to continue on.

Even if Tristan's former king is present within the city... perhaps he can overcome the past. Or find forgiveness, either one. ]

Indeed, I am ready for the task. [ He hopes. ] Whatever it shall bring surely cannot be any more difficult than the last world we were summoned to.

[conquester]

[The King of Conquerors knows all too well the shrouded doubt that clouds over Tristan's mind, trying his best to shed light in the darkness as they became close companions. Words ushered past his beloved's lips cause him to grin wide from ear to ear, free hand moving to brush over the porcelain soft flesh of the knight's cheek, thumb grazing across lower lip in an intimate fashion holding his gaze firmly.]

It was not so terrible, Knight of Lamentation. After all Lunatia brought me to you and for that I will be eternally grateful.

[The blunt and honest truth to be sure, Iskandar leaning forward to place a chaste kiss to the corner of his lover's lips. Next words ushered out little louder than a whisper before pulling away slightly to better look Tristan in the eye once more.]

Do not fret, Tristan.

[offtuned]

You're right, of course.

[ Iskandar is often right when Tristan is just being his moody, pessimistic self. If not for Lunatia, these two Servants may have only met on a battlefield and never have even been friends, let alone anything else. Servants were for one purpose, but there... they had a life.... ]

I mustn't forget what I was given in that place.

[ Such a freedom. He smiles gently once Iskandar lifts away from his lips again, his own gaze mostly hiding behind his lashes, but it's there meeting the King's in spirit. ]

A knight is not afraid of anything, O Great King. I shall not fret over the path ahead.

Holidays can suck it I am so over Christmas. lol

[conquester]

We shall embrace this opportunity and make the best of it in turn!

[Much like Lunatia, Iskandar and Tristan were both free to go about their lives without the restraints of masters once more. Not that the pair of them had issues beforehand even with his young master Waver showing up there! If it happened again it surely would be no issue even if he had to explain the situation at large. At the very least they had each other in this newfound world, though it may be more so for the King of Conqeurors considering the Knight of the Rounds history here.

Slipping free hand into his beloveds as they approach the city limits, Iskandar looks out towards Camelot with renewed vigor, grin wide from ear to ear as he tries best to restrain his excitement.]

Of course not. Onward and upwards as we ride together on this newfound journey!