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

Snow Villas

[rippingu]

[Kaji is a little old for snowball fights, he did find it amusing to watch for a while. But he also knows he needs to do something, find a way to keep busy, and make what he can to survive here. So a quick look over the quest board and he is headed ot to try his hand at a Snow Villa, of all the tasks, he feels most comfortable with it.

The pink dolphin appears almost translucent as it floats there beside him, he has not really tried speaking to it much, it's still too weird to him.

Sorry Ue, the first he notices is the muse's creation and it brings him closer, that is when he sees a very determined Ue-sama, hunkered in the snow making his own structure.]

Ue-sama? [Ah, a soft breath, that is one of the boys here in good shape, he'll take it.]

Want some help?

[uenosama]

[Uenoyama has gotten into a snowball fight earlier, but not of his own volition. He's still blaming his familiar for it, as it was her that convinced him to "practice magic on magical snow". He should've known better (he really couldn't though, he's never used magic before).

Muse is the one that notices Akihiko approaching and she alerts Uenoyama with a gentle strum on the strings of her harp. Or, well, tries to alert him. He's very into trying to make some kind of couch with snow, biting into his tongue while trying to concentrate.

But the nickname certainly gets his attention and his head whips around at the familiar voice that accompanies it.]

Kaji-san! [He fumbles up onto his feet (legs tingling from all the crouching) and dusts off the snow-] When did you get here!? I didn't see you around! [The offer to help him kind of flew over his head. For now?]

[rippingu]

[At his age, Kaji probably would have, hech had he ran into Ue, Haruki or Mafuyu during that snowball fight he might have even participated. It's jut, only certain people bring out that playful side of him.


His mouth twists into a smile, even in the middle of the snow Uenoyama was so serious. He was going to grow into an admirable man Kaji is sure of it.]

First day here in the actual village, landed on the water about a day and a half ago. You?

[It's okay the villa can wait, never mind the shimmering dolphin who has decided he's going to go turn into a man, at least he decided to use a loin cloth this time and slide on over by Ue's familiar as if he can flirt her up.]

[uenosama]

[Uenoyama wasn't feeling playful at all. He has no information about Mafuyu and that dampens his mood a lot. But Muse told him to practice his magic on snowballs and it... escalated to the point he didn't know what to do.

He had taken the task given to him to heart! He doesn't want to be tossed out of the inn or anything. This seemed peaceful and easy enough to get some coin to pay for his stay. Uenoyama rubs the back of his neck, holding back a sigh.]

Same. There was some carriage that brought us over here. You- Have you seen Mafuyu? Or heard of him? [Kaji knows about them so he doesn't hold back from asking. He can tease him later.

The Muse regards the shapeshifting dolphin with a raised eyebrow; she looks like a woman mid-forties, but without a single blemish on her skin, hair tied neatly and in a long, silky toga, harp in her hands. She seems to respond back teasingly, her voice a symphony of multiple gentle female voices, melded into one ("Pink is not your color").]

[rippingu]

[It is good for him, rather Uenoyama thinks so or not, especially if there is no word on Mafuyu, of course, a little distraction like a magic snowball fight would be good.

He takes all his tasks to heart, it's why in truth he is the best out of all of them. He might admire Kaji and the man surely has his shit together better now than he did, but Ue is a respectable, admirable young man in his own right.]

Me too. Nope, Haruki either. I checked at the desk at the inn and asked that guy at the Rent-A-Ride. [He won't tease, not about this, he's missing a certain bassist and worried about him as well, he can relate to how Uenoyama feels at the moment.

The Encantado presents himself as a young man, probably mid-twenties, he goes for the classically, chiseled attractive look, this time, he likes to play around with it Kaji has learned. His voice this time is like smooth bourbon, sultry, and with a lilting accent. ("Oh and what color would the lady prefer me in?")

The drummer shakes his head, side-eyeing the familiar. This guy.]

[uenosama]

[Well, he has great adults to look up to (both good and bad shit they do so he can make sure he doesn't fuck up badly). But whether Kaji remained his old self or no, Uenoyama will never forget the support he got from him when it comes to liking guys. That's just the fact.

He's very happy that he did decide to turn his life around, however. Doesn't stop Uenoyama from teasing him about it.]

Haruki-san? I think he was in one of the carriages. He said he'll be at the residence they gave us. [Had Kaji not seen Haruki-san around? Then again, Ue didn't know Kaji was here at all, so he couldn't tell him earlier.] I'm worried about Mafuyu because I didn't hear anything about him. [And he asked.

While that serious chat is going on, Muse is just eying the guy with disinterest, as if she's seen this song and dance too many times before (seeing Eros flirt with everything that moves makes you numb). But she ends up entertaining him with small chit-chat. You know, she's not rude.]

[rippingu]

[Kaji would appreciate that, in the end he just did what he thought was right and what Uenoyama needed at the time. Including in his little pushes in getting the boys together, looking at the end result, he is happy he gave a few nudges and let them come to their natural conclusion.

Yes the band is important, but as the ring on his finger can attest, sometimes love is more important and when it's good when it's real as the boys are, as he and Haruki are, it does not have to threaten that, it can, in fact, strengthen it.]

He's here? [Kaji's face lights up, a smile explodes across it, nothing wolfish, teasing, playful about it, just genuine happiness to know that he can go find his love after this. Lucky for them, since the Encantado seems content to just entertain the small talk, flash flirty looks and otherwise make a fool of himself, Kaji almost wants to laugh, was this how he used to act? Really?]

[uenosama]

[He will repay Kaji one day for it. Somehow. He'll definitively work off his butt to get their band off the ground. But that's what all of them want. He's still not used to the fact how Kaji and Haruki got married though, or more like, he's confused? Because when did that happen? Was he there? His memory is pretty, pretty foggy. Uenoyama's memories from Lunatia mainly contain Mafuyu and their hanging out.

But if they are happy then Ue is happy for them. So long Kaji doesn't decide to go back to flirting with everyone like that familiar is. Then Ue will kick his ass even if he's younger than him.

He's a bit stunned at that sudden, bright smile but he can't help it and huff and smile back.]

Yeah. We talked I saw him around the carriages that brought us here. He's probably staying at the Inn, like everyone else.

[Muse remains very polite to Encantado; whether flirting is working or no it's hard to see on her face. She does seem amused and in high spirits though.]

[rippingu]

[He figures even here, the band can still happen, as long as it's the four of them, he does not care, he will debut on his own if he has to, but he wants to do it with the three most important people in his life, his band. He was there or at least as far as Kaji can remember, he does not think they would take such a step without the boys. And it was not a "proper" wedding, it was the ring ceremony that Lunatia allowed, except, he still feels married, they wear their rings and in his heart, where it matters most he is dedicated to only Haruki now.

Now if he goes back to that, he will take the ass whooping he is owed for sure. Though Kaji has no such intentions, he got over his past and is trying his hardest to only look forward and be a better man, the man he always could have been if not for the needles under his skin.]

I can't wait to see him, we'll have to look for Mafuyu, I bet he's here and we just haven't found him yet.

[Quite possible, since he missed both Uenoyama and Haruki on arrival, there are quite a few people in the inns around Camelot after all.

As for the Encatando, thankfully it's about this time that he morphs back into a dolphin and disappears in a shatter of rainbow lights. Looks as if he has some business to see to.]

[uenosama]

[Uenoyama would still like to make a ceremony for those two, more than just ring exchanges because they deserve it. Lunatia is a weird place, made them do weird things, and Kaji and Haruki deserve a proper celebration. At least a reception, a big party. One Uenoyama remembers and contributes towards.

At the mention of Mafuyu, Uenoyama's expression falters and a frown settles between his eyebrows. He's looked for Mafuyu around, but since they are new people here, no one could tell him much becuase- they don't know him at all.]

Yeah. Yeah, we'll find him. If he's here. Somehow.

[He looks at the castle he made for those pixies; a brief detour from his quest but also a chance to look around the edges of the woods. It wouldn't be above Mafuyu to go wandering around aimlessly.

Muse, after Encatando leaves, returns to Uenoyama's side, makes sure he's alright, and seeing Kaji is someone he knows, takes her leave as well. Less colorfully, however, just a shimmer of white light that blends with all the snow.]

[rippingu]

[Kaji would be down for that, obviously he is sure Haruki would too. Especially since Uenoyama does not remember the ceremony or after, though it was a small affair on Lunatia, they could go a little bigger here. Haruki deserves it.

And he has not forgotten his promise to Mafuyu, to help Ue see that one day in their future, he could have the same thing Kaji does with Haruki. It is just another motivation to keep his shit together.

He sees that look, knows what Ue-sama is thinking, after all, it definitely not be outside of the realm of what Mafuyu does to find him just wandering about.

He steps up and places a hand on the young man's shoulders]

We'll find him, we won't stop till we do.