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

Caster | Fate/Stay Night (UBW) | Familiar undecided

[colchismagecraft]

A: Soaking in Your Arrival

[The sorceress had initially scoffed at the implication she'd need to swim to shore herself. She had the magic to fly, after all, why would she need to swim?

...Except, it wasn't working.

None of her magic seemed to be working.

And it was as that truth hit her, Caster found herself being gently carried to the shore by some friendly, icy turtles, where she sat in a stunned shock as she tried to work out what had just happened and reconnect with her powers. She had to get her bearings quickly. The fight wasn't over yet.]

...A reality marble, that can effect my powers to this extent? Is that possible?

B: The Caravan to Camelot

[Naturally, the Sorceress didn't trust anyone who had so far tried to provide her a helpful explanation of what was going on. Instead, her first priority was trying - and failing - to locate either her Master or whoever was responsible for this mess.

She did accept the warm cloak though. The one she'd arrived with was soaked, and it was freezing out.

For the time being, she was wandering around near the carriages, keeping a ceremonial-looking dagger concealed by her side. Looking for someone- anyone she recognised- and approaching anyone who looked like she could get a more substantial answer out of.]

You. I trust that you'll explain what is actually going on in this place?

...And the man I was with before I awoke here. Tell me where he is.

C: Trial and Icy Errors

[Once Caster had the chance to take in what exactly this world was and how she'd got here, she set about burying herself in studying the world's magic as thoroughly as possible. Of course, losing her own power was unnerving, but this world offered new and interesting abilities she could explore until she could find her way home.

For now, she'd settled for watching the snowball fights, studying how everyone else was using their power to enhance the already enchanted snow. That would give her a good idea on what sort of things could be done - and what abilities of the other people here had.

Caster's just muttering to herself as she looks around.]

...To enchant all of this snow at once would need an impressive amount of mana. Merlin, hm?

Trial and Icy Errors (truly, all of the fate characters are appearing)

[excalibeam]

Caster...!?

[ Though a snowball fight is happening, the appearance of Caster puts a stop to her focus on that.

Certainly, other servants have appeared here, but Caster was still a surprise. ]

Indeed, it's exciting! Not sure this is one Saber is happy to see though :)

[colchismagecraft]

Ah- You've been drawn into this place as well, Saber.

[There's an almost predatory smirk on her face as she notices the other servant - but it's one that's tinged with anger and trepidation as well. Even if Saber's abilities had been reduced as well since coming to this place, she still had a distinct advantage whilst Caster was relearning magic.

For now, she keeps her distance.]

Although I gather that this world is not your doing?

[excalibeam]

[ An advantage Saber realizes. Magic Resistance or not, she still holds the upper hand... even if only for now. ]

No. To think that you've been drawn here as well...

[ The distance is mutual. Caster was a dangerous enemy in the Fifth Grail War, and even her Master for a period of time (even if Saber herself will not personally recognize that stolen contract). ]

[colchismagecraft]

[Stolen contract or not, the pact was still passed to her during that war. Saber could deny that all she wanted, but in Caster's mind that was simply the knight's pride - her honour - speaking. But what was the need for honour in a war?]

Not of my own will, mind. To think something could possess power enough to interrupt the War like this...it has no right spoiling our wishes like that, don't you think?

[If she had access to her magic, she'd try and sense if this was the Grail's doing - but even without that sort of insight, it seemed that this was far too off-base to be part of the intended conflict.]

[excalibeam]

Interrupting the war...?

[ Well, clearly there's a time disparity. It makes sense as well, because Saber had clearly seen Caster's demise at Archer's betrayal. She supposed that it would then be impossible for her to know what happened afterward. ]

...perhaps, but the Grail War is over anyhow.

[ She has no reason to hide this. After all, she personally destroyed the grail herself with her own Noble Phantasm. Of course, that does cross out the possibility of this being the Grail's doing. ]

[colchismagecraft]

[The memories of her last moments were foggy at best. Caster had been pulled away a split second before Archer's attack had impacted, after all, and the betrayal had so completely blindsided her that she couldn't pinpoint exactly what happened.]

Over? That's a little arrogant of you to say, isn't it?

[At the very least, she knew she'd been betrayed. She knew she'd been defeated. A flare of anger came into her expression as she thought back, coming out as a bitter mutter: ]

Archer...!

[excalibeam]

No. I mean that the Grail War has already ended, Caster.

[ How much she remembers is outside the amount of things Saber knows. However, her animosity towards Archer is understandable. ]

It seems there is a disparity in our times. I have already witnessed the conclusion of the Grail War myself, Caster. As well as your demise.

[ They aren't exactly on good terms. Regardless, she doubts that Caster would rather be left in the dark about things. ]

[colchismagecraft]

That shouldn't be possible. My demise? Don't be ridiculous-

[There was a small, bitter laugh, then. One that almost seemed forced.

If that was true, she was killed. That attack had killed her.

If she had died, then...]

[excalibeam]

...

[ Saber falls silent at this. She witnessed Caster's death, and as a fellow Servant... it's not hard to guess at what she's likely thinking of. ]

[colchismagecraft]

...

[That silence should have given her all the answer she needed. Right now, though, she was just grateful the hood of her cloak covered her face, as her voice came out smaller than she wanted.

Even if it meant showing a hint of vulnerability to an enemy Servant, she had to know.]

...S-Souichirou-sama... did I reach him in time?

Was he spared, at least...?

[Caster already felt her chest squeezing tight, even before Saber could answer. Rage and grief and dread all stirring up at once.]

C omg hello

[greedyvixen]

[Rin's in the middle of a snowball war and running around to find new targets, while she's also trying to think about new ways to attack them. She's been here for a month, doing research of this world's magic and practicing her new kinetic skills.

Tohsaka stops on her tracks as soon as she sees Caster there and well, she's keeping her distance from her. Funny, she's been in another world before arriving here and back there she was from that moment, when Archer betrayed her... Too bad, if Rin was still from that point in her war, this would be one hell of a different meeting here! But she kind of went home from that other world to see the rest of her war before arriving here.]

So, they brought you here too.

[Nailing it.]

Oh hello! <3

[colchismagecraft]

[Well. She'd recognise that flash of red anywhere...so there were other people in this world who she knew, one of the Masters none the less.

Funnily enough, Caster's last memories from before arriving here also happened to involve a betrayal by Archer. Strange how these things work out. And thanks to that, her expression twisted to one of distain on seeing Rin.

At least, if she was understanding the rules of this world correctly, Rin would have lost her magic as well. That put them on a slightly more equal footing.]

Indeed. I'm going to assume you can't tell me who "they" are?

...If I find out this is your precious Archer's way of prolonging our fight, I will be annoyed.

[Still, if Rin was here...did that mean her Master might be, as well? Despite telling herself she shouldn't take her eyes off her target, Caster still found herself shooting a quick glance around her. Just in case.]

<3 so glad and excited seeing her!

[greedyvixen]

[What a coincidence with the betrayals! Rin's looking at her with ... somewhat similar face.]

Even if I could, I'd never tell you. But no, no one knows the answer to that.

[Did she just say Rin's precious Archer? Oh, judging by the smirk on the girl's face, she likes the sound of that. It also gives Rin two ideas of what Caster's last memories from Fuyuki could be.]

Don't give him that much credit. My Trojan Horse couldn't have done all of this. Besides, I'm from a time, when the war is already over.

[Is Caster alone? Is her Master here too? Rin could ask but like hell she'd trust any answers from her.]

Ahh thank you! I hope I can do her justice <3 I'm very excited seeing so many FSN people too

[colchismagecraft]

[Ergh, she did not like that smirk. Caster scowled in return, wishing she could wipe that smug look off her face by blasting her into the nearest tree.]

Hmph. Someone's getting a little ahead of herself, I see.

[Caster was thinking along similar lines - wondering if Rin was here by herself, or if Archer was out there waiting in the wings. She couldn't sense him, but right now that was certainly not a sure test.]

C

[unknowntodeath]

[Archer is still refusing to participate in any kind of a snowball fight, but he has to walk past the place the snow is to get back inside.

As luck should have it, he notices Caster there.

Nope. Definitely going to just continue his walk back.]

[colchismagecraft]

[Luckily for Archer, Caster didn't have access to most of her magic here, otherwise he'd probably be getting a barrage of magic at his back right about now. For lack of any real way of lashing out at him, she settled for giving him a truly poisonous glare.

Although her memories of her final moments were somewhat foggy - Caster was dragged in from a split second before his attack had impacted, before she could fully realise what was going on - she knew that this mess was distinctly his fault.]

...You.

[unknowntodeath]

[Oh bother. Archer sighs and just stops, turning to look at her with an indifferent look.]

Caster. To think both of us would end up here.

[colchismagecraft]

[The indifference only seemed to fuel her anger even further, the rage making her shoulders shake.]

How dare you speak to me so casually, traitor...! This mess is your doing, isn't it?

[unknowntodeath]

[Archer shakes his head.]

Aren't you putting a little too much faith in my abilities there, Caster?

[colchismagecraft]

Well, you're certainly proving that putting any faith in you is more trouble than it's worth.

[And with that spiteful remark, she goes back to scowling.]

...Am I to believe that you've been dragged into this against your will?

[unknowntodeath]

I never said it was worth it.

[He shrugs casually.]

Yes. I arrived last month, straight from the end of our Holy Grail War.

[colchismagecraft]

Last month...? Hmph. If you're going to lie to me, at least tell me something believable.

[She was not having any of this talk of time disparity, it sounded like Archer was making excuses - and it wouldn't surprise her if he then tried to claim he hadn't betrayed her at all.]

Or will you start claiming that the 'you' I was confronting before my arrival was a fake all along? That it wasn't you who stabbed me in the back but some other version of yourself, who just so happened to be around and involved in the same Grail War as you were? You'll have to be more convincing than that.

[Oh the irony.]

[unknowntodeath]

I wouldn't lie about something like that, especially now with the war over.

[He shook his head.]

That was me. I remember that and everything that happened afterwards. My betrayals, my eventual defeat, the end of the war.

Time works different here, Medea.

[Why yes, using her real name is mostly to annoy her.]

I officially need more grumpy icons

[colchismagecraft]

Over? I see coming to this place has done nothing to stem your arrogance.

[His 'eventual defeat', though...? Time working differently?

Well, perhaps she would have focused on that a little more if he didn't decide to start pushing the true identity button. Archer's attempt to annoy her was successful - more so given she couldn't retaliate in kind.]

You have no right to use my name so casually like that, Archer...!