TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 10

[avalonmods]

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ SUMMARY: New arrivals drop into the lake and have to climb up a cliff to the Rent a Ride, where they are given their device and some headphones and can retrieve their personal materials. They travel to Camelot, which is a multiple day journey, so they stop at the Red Springs along the way and stay at an inn there. 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 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 still chilly, but not enough that you can't manage on your own. The Lady of the Lake is swimming around under the water, helping to rescue any wayward travelers who look like they're struggling in the water. This month's helpers are giant pillow jellies, a species of jellyfish that is capable of ballooning itself at the surface to create bouncy pads for characters to hop across to the shore, should they choose or not be able to swim. They come in a variety of bioluminescent colors, but do not seem to be very talkative even to animal magic users. Those who try may find themselves being ignored, even if they hear the jellies talking amongst themselves about this and that. If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. 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. (Though.. given how hot and muggy the weather is this first week, maybe you might want to ask him to toss you right back into the lake where the waters are still cool.) *Reminder: Your character's familiar may or may not be with your character in their initial plunge. If the familiar isn't partial to water, it may meet your character on the beach or sit atop their head while they swim. Or if they are, they might splash about and swim alongside your character. Familiars have different personalities and body specs and we leave those up to the players. 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 and a pair of ear buds and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was recently enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of 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 whole coconuts filled with tropical drinks and topped with tiny umbrellas. Strawberry daiquiris, pina coladas, margaritas, mai tais, and more... all frosty and in the spirit of keeping you cool during the sunny month of August. (Naturally, virgin editions are available for the underaged.) 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. SUMMARY: The first attempt at using the mounts to travel en-masse up to fae territory is filled with problems: mandrake sprouts caused by recent murders drumming up requests to dig them up, two titanic creatures face off in the lake and catch characters in a maelstrom, and a mysterious underwater town with a strange curse being good neighbors with a last minute save... at a slight risk: becoming a merperson, naga, or cecaelian for a little while. With communications with Elphame in Celliwig disrupted by specters and Arthur temporarily decommissioned, the Hall of Mirrors is temporarily off limits for cleansing rituals. Celliwig has encouraged people to return to Camelot for the time being, which is just as well with all the newcomers flooding in. Last month's new arrivals through the old guard got an introduction to the new aquatic mounts and there are now plenty of people versed in how to handle and work with the magical alpacapies, mossatees, and deinosuchus. As scout parties head out further, there are a few problems that they've run into that need a helping hand from Camelot's otherworldly population. A ⦿ A Mandraconian Task Just as volunteers are asked to bring supplies for the journey to fae territory, a series of grisly murders involving strung up corpses appears around town (see this month's quest, "Not-So-Good Morning" for more details), and the dripping blood and fluids of these corpses seeps into the ground to give birth to strange, leafy plants that sprout leaves in all directions at once. They're small, and the locals seem weary of them, but ultimately they're breaking up pathways and making them into trip hazards... the locals recognize these plants as mandrake root, which is known in different cultures for... very different things. The mandrake root is a cursed plant that screams in a way that curdles blood enough to kill small creatures if they're too close and make a grown person go deaf. The reason anyone would pull them up however... well, their magical properties are astounding. It is said that Joan of Arc carried one in her possession to give her the power to take control of her own fate. Some religions claim that it has the ability to restore a person's fertility, and before clever manufacturers started using the name for tomatoes, Islamic tradition called the "apples of the jinn" and cause strong bouts of lust. Needless to say, a good many people are cautious about pulling them up, but more than willing to offer a fair sum of money to a newcomer who can get them out of the ground. The cause of their sprouting may be tragic, but there's no way that you're going to make it through town center with trip supplies without getting pulled aside and asked to help harvest the mandrake roots for a pretty penny... or maybe you're interested yourself. Either way, it may behoove you to practice a little magic with a friend to try to get them up. B ⦿ Clash of the Titans Finally everyone has gotten going and a mixture of brave Camelot citizens, Celliwigians, and otherworlders have headed back to Albion's White Cliffs to take off with their mounts (and partners... you're going to have to ride with someone, there aren't enough mounts for everyone to get their own!) and things are going well. It's about two days into the waters of Lake Avalon that things start to send a chill down your spine. Back on land, even for the first two days there, the weather had been hot and sunny, a beautiful summery start to August, but as the party starts to approach the southern banks of Dinas Emrys, they see a gargantuan beast run at bewildering speeds off the land and straight across the surface of the lake. The creature appears to be some kind of centipede formed of black clouds and lightning that illuminates its exoskeleton from inside of its body in deep purple and blue hues. Each of its legs kicks up a titanic wave headed straight for the party of explorers as it charges towards its target, what appears to be a tsunami wave containing a dark, shadowy figure emerging at least twenty stories above the water. The only part of it that isn't black are the blank, soulless eyes. As the lightning bug monster charges what some may recognize as an umibozu, it crashes into the tsunami wave and all three fall asunder... which is bad news for the traveling party, as the waters are now extremely choppy and lighting up with charges of the centipede's lightning. The result? As the two monsters dive down below the water, a maelstrom forms in their path and starts sucking everyone down! C ⦿ Fresh Waters Anyone who manages to escape the maelstrom will find that their mounts aren't moving forward this time around and are heading back where they came from, even with lost supplies. You may find yourself having to switch mounts with others nearby or talking to a strange beachball on the back of the alpacapie that's carrying your ass back to the White Cliffs... Or if you weren't so lucky, you may find yourself waking up on a slightly different shore. An underwater shore. An underwater town, in fact. After the initial panic of realizing that you're not drowning when you wake up settles in, you'll realize that you seem to be able to breathe underwater just fine. In fact, the real panic is probably about to start when you realize that like the fine people of this town that saved you, you've been temporarily gifted gills and a bottom lower half of either a merperson, a naga, or a cecaelia. Your caretaker, a nurse of the local town, offers the explanation that the only way to save everyone from drowning was to pull them into their territory, which is cursed to turn them all into sea monsters. Not to worry though, as long as you leave before the sun sets on the third day, you'll turn back to normal just fine. ...Though, they're not really sure when that was or if they battle is over, so you should probably find your friends and any possessions you had with you and start heading toward the surface. Not too much time to explore this strange, underwater town... especially since you don't have much practice not having legs to get you up to the surface. Don't worry, if you don't make it out in time, the Lady of the Lake will come fetch you... though perhaps not in time, so you may need to spend some time back in Camelot seeking out someone to break a curse. SUMMARY:After the recent event, people need to recover and heal. So Camelot's castle opens its doors for an open house, a swap meet and poetry battle auction, and a healing circle ritual. Arthur is injured and recovering, and news has spread on social media about it. There are lots of well-wishers and gifts being sent to the castle... enough that there's just too much for Arthur to do anything with it. He needs time to recover and rest and not be bothered, and as such declares that all those who need it shall share in the wealth and generosity of those wishing him well. The abundance (Especially from guilty Celliwigians who didn't realize what was happening right under their own noses) results in a few things happening... A ⦿ Open House Camelot's castle halls open up to all those who would like to come. Invitations are sent and a feast is prepared. A huge table with all manner of foods from different cultures is prepared. The only thing they ask is that you stay out of the wing of the castle that Arthur is resting in, as he is not available right now. Try new foods made from recipes from all around the different worlds or invite yourself to use the castle's royal public baths, remodeled from more ancient styles to include cool things like old architecture mixing with jacuzzi jets and waterfall shower rooms. There's even a water slide. It's more a water park than anything... Explore the library (except for the forbidden section, which has a very powerful magical barrier preventing entry-- even trying to tamper with it could result in your character glowing colors by their mood as punishment for messing with the magic). Those are dangerous texts in there! There's even a live show with a magician! Which sounds lame, but he's more or less showing off his skills in tricks, knife skills, and has a mean comedy routine to go with it. He's even willing to teach lucky volunteers how to escape death-defying stunts... hopefully. You may want to bring a buddy for backup. Or perhaps you're more interested in heading out to explore the rose gardens or finding a place to stay for the evening... don't worry, if you've had too much to drink or simply tired yourself out, you're welcome to stay in one of the guest rooms during this open house celebration. B ⦿ Swap Meet Not interested in exploring the castle? Well perhaps you'll enjoy the open-market bazaar that seems to have set up in the courtyard. All kinds of oddities are being exchanged in the castle courtyard and you may just find something rare.. or maybe it's a piece of crap. It's hard to tell, and the chances of getting swindled are just as high as the chances of getting an antique masterpiece. There is an auction for those willing to pay more for authenticity, but auctions in Camelot go a little bit differently... to win art, you must first prove yourself worthy of art-- all bid submissions must be performed in stanza. Haikus, rap, short poems-- all are valid, as long as they follow the rules of your chosen form of poetry and express why your bid deserves the win. The last person to falter wins their right to pay their bid, with at least 10,000G upped with each poetic rebuttal. C ⦿ Healing Circle After Party It's good to take care of yourself with a little fun, but if you're still stressed, hurt, traumatized, mildly upset, hung over, or just want to feel better about yourself, consider joining in some of the local witches and wizards in a meditative healing ritual. Step one: Gather herbs from the castle gardens. They've got all kinds, but you're looking for things like yarrow, apple blossoms, cinnamon, and lemon balm. Once you've gathered your herbs, join in the silent meditation circle with an available partner. Anyone is fine, but once you've entered the circle with someone, it's very important that you do not make any noise. Silence is important, and as you burn each of your herbs with your partner, you'll find that the smoke forms a barrier that surrounds the two of you. Put your hands together, and focus on the source of your pain. You will share your emotions with the person you're performing the spell with. They will feel everything you feel in that moment, and be able to share the burden without having to speak of or share what caused this pain. With the pain lightened, you will find that the smoke lights up and dissipates up at the top. Whether or not you choose to share with your newfound partner... well, that's up to you, but they sure are going to know how you're feeling right now, and that definitely wasn't warned about when you were asked to join the healing circle. 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 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.

Comments

[knightglow]

[ Had Na'na noticed, she would have spoiled him a bit more with a show. However her mind were on the mishap of her inability to carry her own sword. This came about for one reason only, no longer could she channel the powers of the Void? What sort of world were she in, where her own abilities were null like this?

It was indeed pathetic, and in her mind she too was asking what sort of Knight am I?

The pat to her back goes welcomed, and she lets it go. With a slight thud. ]

Alright, well. Lets just, put it in the ground and go from there?

[ Rolling her shoulders a few times, and giving one big stretch. As if she were a cat, she reels over reaching for the hilt of the sword. ]

Alright, come on now! I need your big boy muscles to help.

[scriptwriter]

Sure. That sounds fair.

[He takes a moment to put his shirt and suit back on, then rolls his arms around to relax his muscles. He'll move over to the opposite end of where Na'na was standing and grabs onto the lower bars. He figured that would help where she had the hilt secured and he had this part handled. This was reminding him of a time when he had to help a certain airheaded girl with a heavy box.]

Alright! Let's do this thing on the count of three. One, two and three-!

[It was time to hit the accelerator in his mind so to speak. He couldn't rewrite himself like he used to, but this was always a good mental switch in his mind whenever he was going to do a big physical task. He grunts as he begins to feel the sword lifting up. Slowly and steadily... Good thing his Guardian training left him physically fit as a fiddle. He thinks that this will work!]

Hnngh... H-Hey, miss? Just what is this sword made out of, anyway?!

[knightglow]

Ah, the best metals the Crystarium could offer - a gift. Then I had old Gerolt fix me a sword to my liking. Though - he didn't like it at first, but he owes me one.

[ There she goes acting as if anyone knew who she spoke of - its fine though. At this point in the Warrior of Lights life, she knew them and that was what mattered. Up it goes though, and Na'na is all too aware at once that this is going to be an inevitable problem. Thankfully, as luck would have it. The stifling, 'KWEH!' In the distance can be heard, and Na'na lets go of the blade. A bit too excited - hopefully Kotarou can hold it up otherwise the damn that heavy sword is going to drag him onto the floor again. She believes in you Kotarou.]

Midna~~!!

[ As luck, would have it her trusty Chocobo that would fight through all utter hell to be reunited with their rider. Did as much, instead of waiting patiently where she was suppose to be. Theres a quick moment to greet one another, and then Na'na clicks her tongue respectively. The Chocobo answers and settles down all the way onto the floor.

Now.... Now Na'na turns, having forgotten about Kotarou just for a minute. ]

Hmm... Are you doing okay there?

[scriptwriter]

--Hiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeee---!!

[Okay, scratch that. Even with his Guardian training, Kotarou was not experienced enough to be lifting heavy swords like this! This was more of the territory of the Bayern Knights who have been fighting for over forty to fifty years. Kotarou was still a young man in his early twenties. There was no way that he was experienced enough to be lifting this big thing around!

That's why he's on the ground and wheezing hilariously with the sword on top of him. This was one of those moments where he wished that he had his rewrite power to give him a little boost! Then again, even with that, he had to wonder if it'd be the worth the cost to be carrying around a giant sword!]

Haaaaaah... I-I'm dying here... Why was I dumped for a freakin' biiiiiiiiird?!

[knightglow]

Haha. [ The Miqo'te lets out a lofty bit of laughter, enjoying the sight of the other attempting to rear off the sword. Unfortunate she could not carry its weight, but with some newfound resolve. Nana comes over toward the other and with both her hands clasped around the hilt. She gives one big - ] UP!!!

[ No longer was poor Kotarou clutched beneath the agonizing feeling of the sword trying to kabedon him onto the ground below. She at least manages to drag the weapon, and lay it upon the Chocobos back. Where there were leather straps making it a bit easier to hoist it on. It took a moment, with the chocobos help but it got on.

Wiping her brow, she looks over toward the other. ]

Phew, thank you so much for that. [ Is he on the floor? Its okay shes here to help if she can... ] Might I've your name?

[scriptwriter]

[He was very close to seeing a white light with a set of angels before Nana had came along and pulled the sword off of him and lets out a big wheeze. Kotarou couldn't help and be a little confused right now. "Wait a second... She could do that the whole time!? Was I just here to be fodder?!" Well, this wouldn't be the first time and it sure wasn't going to be the last.

At least she could manage to get her sword up and onto that bird... Though it looked pretty familiar. For now, he lets out a mixed laugh and sob as he feels water leaking from his eyes.]

Uuuu... My name is Kotarou. Tennouji Kotarou. And please don't mistaken the water running down my face as tears of emasculation... This is just pure sweat from all the hard work I had to do.

[Weakly, Kotarou lifts a hand up. He's going to need some help up, indeed!]

[knightglow]

[ Nana lifts him up, and peers a bit closer to his face. As if looking for the tears that were running down along his cheeks. Were they there? Were they not? The hand clutched tightly to his own did not let go after helping him up, and another reaches out to cup his cheeks. Running a thumb searching well for any tears that he were speaking of.

Personal space? Did not exist. ]

Hmmm...? I don't see any tears?

[scriptwriter]

Huh?! Oh, uh...

[This is dangerously close! Kotarou could feel his heart pounding like a jackhammer. There weren't any tears running down his cheeks anymore, but he's definitely red in the cheeks now. What should he say? What should he do!? He's not looking Nana directly in the eyes.... This woman is really pretty and had cute ears too.

Wait a second. She was a cat girl-- Holy shit!]

T-They probably just faded away. Yeah, that's it... Totally! [Ahem.] Uh... Who's your feathery friend over here?

[knightglow]

Good then, I would hate for my savior to be crying tears like that. [ Her hand leaves his face, and gently pats along the others shoulder. Giving it a gentle squeeze, as she turns with her tail flickering behind. Taking her movements toward the Chocobo who had now rose unto both its back haunches.

Now that he was up(kotarou), and the attention was on him(kotarou). Midna immediately began pecking Kotarou's head. ]

Hey! Hey! Stop now. [ Nana reels the harness that controlled the Chocobo back. Making certain that the partner of hers, wouldn't go about pecking the other to death after he just got off the floor. ] Sorry about that, he isn't fond of strong Male heroes.

[scriptwriter]

OW! OW! WHAT THE HELL!?

[Kotarou had to wonder if he had to wear a helmet or something nowadays. First his own bird familiar and now this one?! Did birds just hate him here? He covers his head with an exaggerated moan. Once the peaking stops, Kotarou rubs his head. On one hand, he's actually meeting a Chocobo in the flesh! The bad news was that he had pecked by it... It's the littlest of victories that he was going to embrace.]

Aaaaah... D-Don't sweat it. This isn't the first time that I've been henpecked by some kind of featherface. My own familiar tends to do this to me a lot more than I'd like.

[He takes a second to look around reflexively over his shoulder. Where was that tsundere bird of his, anyway?]

Well, she usually goes off to do whatever she wants. But whenever I call for her, Emerald arrives like a-- [And right on cue, a green bird will fly down from the heavens to give him a greeting poke on the head.] --AH! DAMMIT! WHY NOW?!

[knightglow]

[ Nana lets out a bit of laughter watching as his familiar comes and attacks him almost on cue. ]

What luck to be timely like that! You must be blessed in some ways, but when you say familiar? [ She had to wipe the tears from her own eyes, from laughing so much. Her voice settling after having said bit of laughter. ] What is it that you mean?

[scriptwriter]

[How embarrassing. Kotarou rubs his head with an irritable moan as Emerald lands on his shoulder. She lets out a rather haughty chirp as if she's poking fun at her master.]

Uuu... So whenever I say 'familiar', I mean it's like your animal sidekick. Here, we seemed to get partnered with familiars that assist us with magic and stuff like that. I've heard that some of them even talk... But this little one hasn't given me a single human word yet.

[Emerald could talk, but she chose not to. It's just funnier to watch Kotarou struggle in her eyes. She's loves that about her master! The more that he struggled, the better than he shone. She'll never admit that in his face, though.]

[knightglow]

Oh? What a lovely Familiar then, she has a name? Would prefer to be introduced properly, especially with one holding plumage as gorgeous as this one here.

[ Nana comes back closer tilting her head left and right, eagerly looking over toward the familiar that perched itself upon Kotarous shoulder. ]

[scriptwriter]

[Oh, Nana was a charmer. Emerald like that... So she happily hops over to her shoulder instead and ditches Kotarou like he was yesterday's paper. She was a fickle familiar, but she always returned to her master.]

You damn traitor... [Ahem.] Her name is Emerald. She's really weak to compliments and beautiful people. This bird is mean to me, but she's pretty friendly to people like you. I don't understand why she likes to bully me all the time. It's just hard being a master, I guess.

[Kotarou stares very pointedly at his familiar. Whenever he tried to throw compliments at her... He got pecked for his troubles!]

[knightglow]

Oh don't listen to him emerald. Men like him like to put others down so they can feel important and on the top. [ Na'na coaxes Emerald onto her forearm, and continues ruffling gently through her feathers. Careful not to disrupt any of them, knowing full well how to pet her thanks to owning a chocobo herself. She continues talking to Emerald not minding Kotarou what so ever. ] Oh yeah?

[ Na'na says pretending to know what Emerald is saying. ]

Youre right he really is cute, but that charm wont get him anywhere if he can't appreciate the beautiful girls he has with him like you now.

[ Na'na lets out a soft and warming giggle, whilst her chocobo coo's in agreement. ]