avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 10

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 10

{ 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

"Not-So-Good Morning"

mandrake root

pulled aside and asked to help harvest the mandrake roots

B ⦿ Clash of the Titans

a maelstrom forms in their path

C ⦿ Fresh Waters

heading back

An underwater town

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

new foods made from recipes from all around the different worlds

royal public baths

old architecture mixing with jacuzzi jets

waterfall shower rooms

glowing colors by their mood

live show with a magician

rose gardens

B ⦿ Swap Meet

open-market bazaar

swindled

to win art, you must first prove yourself worthy of art

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No, I'm not, but— ...me and my dad used to vacation here. Y'know, when I was a kid.

[ He puts on a haughty air, hands on his hips, even sniffs at he finishes the ~~lie~~ thought. ]

...It's been a while, though. A lot has changed.

[ That's his out.

He has no idea where he is. ]

You don't seem that much older than me.

[Laphicet, that's because you hang out with adults. And Bienfu, but still. He tilts his head at the other saying it had been a while, glancing around uncertainly. Wondering where to start. Everyone seems to be heading up that cliff....?]

Maybe. Um. Is there like an inn or something? That seems like a good place to start in looking for my friends I guess. Everyone seems to be heading up there, so. Maybe up there we'll find somewhere to stay?

[ Alberto follows the others' gaze... It definitely doesn't look like Portorosso. But indeed, maybe best to follow the herd in this moment, as much as Alberto's loath to, in another sense... But this guy's looking for his friends? Maybe Alberto should be doing the same? ]

Fine. Andiamo. You help me find my friends, I'll help you find yours.

[ He sets off walking toward the cliffs, gesturing at Laphicet with a limp wave to usher him to follow — as if this was his idea! ]

Have you seen a boy named Luca? Like this tall, short dark curly hair, brown eyes, skinny, fish face?

[ What a way to describe someone... "Fish face?" He gestures to his friend's height as they walk, just a few inches shorter than Alberto himself. Ignoring any comment about an inn for now; let's not get ahead of themselves, here... If they're not in Portorosso, then Alberto wants to find a way back fast. He wants to go places, y'know, on purpose. Was he kidnapped?! ]

Okay! I really need to find Eleanor and Velvet. If they're here, the others probably are too.

[And Laphicet would easily recognize them, at least. Velvet in particular is kind of all but impossible to miss, and Eleanor with her red hair kind of stands out with that and her Exorcist uniform. Laphicet himself sort of stands out in his own way, given his collar, his outfit for that matter.

He will follow though, when Alberto gestures for him to follow to the cliffs, almost but not quite stumbling to catch up as the other asks about Luca.]

.....fish face.....?

Eleanor and Velvet. Got it.

[ He... may or may not remember. We'll see.

He glances awkwardly over his shoulder, though, back at Laphicet, when his wording is questioned. ]

Yeah, uh— but like, a cute little fish face. Ma, not like a fish-face fish face. He's a human. Of course.

[ Ahem. Of course. ]

Right! Eleanor has red hair and wears this blue and white Exorcists uniform. Velvet has long dark hair and her clothes are a little....tattered but she's a lot nicer than she looks!

[Well. Unless your name is Artorius. Then that goes flying out the window. Probably helps she has an obvious weak spot for little Laphicet. So there's definitely a difference in how she responds to him versus anyone else, basically.

Laphicet can't be sure what to make of the fish face comparison, but the rest of the description of how Luca looks seems enough to go off? Maybe?]

We can both help keep an eye out! If our friends show up here too. I was just with Velvet and the rest so. I guess you were with Luca?

[ "Show up here"...? Alberto doesn't like the way that's phrased. He's not spoken to anyone else yet, has no clue he's been spirited away, so every passing moment is more and more disconcerting, and ever so slightly starting to show, chipping away at his armor of false confidence. He can't help but let a tiny frown tug at the corner of his mouth when Laphicet asks if he was with Luca last. ]

...No. I haven't seen Luca for a couple weeks, actually.

[ He doesn't like admitting that when he doesn't even know where he is now, and averts his eyes to the side, then skyward, trying to save himself from showing that little lapse. ]

I was with our friend's dad, Massimo. I guess, look for him, too. Big, big guy — like huge — definitely looks like he kills things, y'know?

[ He's stretching his arms out as far as they can go as they walk, trying to evoke Massimo's height and brawn. ]

His arm is as big as I am! Oh, and he only has one— one arm, I mean.

[ He pulls his right arm behind his back, sticking his crooked elbow out at Laphicet demonstratively. ]

...And he has a moustache.

[ Crucial detail tagged-on matter-of-factly. In case his graphic description was not specific enough. Moustache, too. ]

I'm not sure exactly on how I got here but. I wasn't intending on it.

[Usually, they walk where they need to go and sail otherwise on their ship. So this is. Different. Suffice to say. In him arriving here and all. He follows as Alberto leads them up the cliff with the rest of the crowd, tilting his head at the description of Massimo. Only one arm? Should he even ask about what happened to the other? But at least it sounds like this person would stand out so be easy enough to pick out of the crowd of people.]

I guess he should be easy enough to spot.

You weren't intending on coming here...? How do you go somewhere without meaning to? Where are you from anyway, eh, ragazzo?

[ Alberto's prying for information while still trying to keep up the act that he knows anything, at all, about their present whereabouts. His best practice in the face of fear is a brave front — at least, that's his usual MO. And with each passing moment and each bit of information gained, it makes it harder to keep that up, as his smug smile starts to falter... He'd be thrilled to see Luca right now, really, he would, but— if he's arrived somewhere without intending to (which he has) and so has everyone else, in some strange new land that sure doesn't seem to be the Riviera Ligure, then out of anyone he knows... Maybe he should be hoping to see Massimo. Probably an adult is needed right now. ]

Where I come from is.....complicated. But if I had to say, probably Aball, a village in Eastgand.

[It was where he was created, anyway. Where Velvet had lived with her brother Laphicet all those years ago. At the least, as they make their way up the cliffs, Laphicet seems to keep his balance well enough. That he isn't tripping and falling off the side at least. But it's true that chances were, given Laphicet's age and Alberto's, that someone would probably want to keep an eye on them if nobody else from home was around.]

Never heard of it.

[ The speed of his response and the breathiness of his tone, combined with a light shrug, comes off as so dismissive and disinterested. And… it pretty much is. No offense, Laphicet. This is a weird kid who’s been entirely alone for years; his social skills leave much to be desired. ]

This, uh… isn’t Portorosso. Or Genova.

[ He doesn’t think it’s Genova, at least. Not that he’d know. He’s been to literally one place. Ever. Like, a mile or two from where he lived. And then moved there. He’s not exactly the world-traveler he aspires to be. And he’s most certainly all talk. ]

Have you ever heard of Italy?

Italy? No.

[Laphicet had traveled rather extensively, given Velvet's quest for revenge and such taking them all over the place, walking or heading there by ship some of the time. It was why he had his huge compass. He follows all the same, wondering where Italy was. Protorosso and Genova must be there too? In Italy? He guesses anyway.]

But maybe people are here from all sorts of places. It's certainly not just us.

[He says, gesturing to all the others they were following to the cliffs and behind them as more joined in to figure the way up and find out what was going on.]

[ The thought doesn't sit well with Alberto, gazing at all the others around them, following Laphicet's gesturing. It's not impossible. Not like Alberto has any better explanation, even if he were to try and lie and make one up. He'd found himself here unintentionally, too, after all — wherever here is. It's the first time he's left speechless and thoughtful, maybe even dejected, and a crack in that armor of false confidence is finally visible as fear and confusion set in.

He definitely should be searching for Massimo, he's decided for sure. Anyone he knows (not that he knows that many people) would be empowering to be around right now, even if he were alone with Giulia, but the only person whose care and protection he can put his trust in is her dad. He'd not even known Massimo for a month yet, only a few weeks, but their time spent together had been so much more precious to Alberto than he admitted out loud. And... if they're inexplicably in a strange place at random, as much as he loves Luca, the piccolina did not quite make the same impact that Massimo makes just by standing there silently. Alberto doesn't either, though; he has to rely on his words. And sometimes— those fail him. Like now. ]

Are you okay?

[This. Was a lot. And they were, as far as they could tell so far, alone without their usual support from home. But Alberto had said he came here before sometimes? So this probably isn't as major for him? In comparison to Laphicet at least. And Laphicet was the younger of the two of them. But even so, this time as far as they knew, they didn't have anyone else. Alberto didn't have this Massimo here like he probably did before for some reason. Laphicet pauses, glancing to the other boy worriedly when he goes so quiet.]

Me? Y-Yeah. Of course.

[ Back to the front. But his voice shakes slightly, his forced smile cockeyed as he glances back to Laphicet, ascending the stairs together. They're halfway to the top by now. He's unnerved. He's scared. And he doesn't like being unnerved and scared. He has way too much experience with it.

Someone falls up ahead, and the Cliff Beast's hand catches them. Alberto's face lights up with a strange expression. Time to change the subject entirely. ]

Woah! Did you see that?! A giant hand! From the cliff! It just caught that guy! Santa ricotta!

Wh -- what was that?! Are they okay?

[It stopped the guy from falling. But he's not experienced something like this. The Cliff Beast seems helpful though, not something he might need to fight if he's trying to keep them safe on these cliffs. Laphicet pauses, green eyes wide and his hair stands straight up in his surprise. Luckily the person that fell seems to be alright having been caught before they fell too far down or anything.]

[ The fellow who fell seems a bit shaken, but otherwise clearly fine, as they are returned to the cliffside stairs once more, edging closer to the other side as they begin their ascent again.

It's obvious to Alberto that these mountain-monster hands are intent on rescuing people, and it gives him an idea... He stops dead in his tracks, inching toward the side to peer over the ledge, analyzing the drop. It's not too high... They're barely halfway up. It's about the height of jumping off his lighthouse back home — maybe a bit taller... But he's not afraid of that. ]

They're okay, yeah, look.

[ He waves a hand toward the person who'd fell, now back in full strut up the stairs. ]

...Think those hands catch everyone who falls?

[ An innocent enough question after what they just witnessed... Seemingly. ]

Oh, good. That was lucky the.....uh, hand? was there.

[Laphicet breathes a sigh of relief. At least they seemed okay. That they hadn't gotten hurt falling all that way down or anything. He blinks, glancing over to Alberto when the other asks about the hands.]

I don't know? Wait, you're not going to -- you're not going to jump?!

[It isn't that Laphicet hasn't done the same when escaping some situations back home. But. Still. It's still pretty risky. He isn't sure what the story is with the cliff beast and what activates him to help or not. Laphicet's green eyes widen and he raises his hands in front of him as if telling Alberto to stop, shaking his head.]

[ Laphicet saw right through that. But it just elicits a bright grin from the boy. ]

Hey! Good idea!

[ Oghursjknf don't pin this on Laphicet, Alberto... This was your idea and you just hadn't said it out loud yet, piccolino. But he's completely ignoring Laphicet's hands outstretched in warning, and just grabs him by the wrist, urging them both a smidge sideways to peer over the edge. ]

It's not that far, right?

It's still pretty high......!

[Laphicet stumbles, not anticipating being dragged over by the other grabbing at his wrist. Maybe given the people he ends up hanging out with back home he should be more used to this, to his friends running off headfirst into dangerous situations but still. He bites his lower lip, eyes wide as he glances down then to Alberto nervously. The other wasn't really going to jump, was he? Laphicet's smaller hand is held in the other's as he tentatively stands near the edge.]

[ Alberto catches all the nervousness in that glance... He's seen Luca made that same face plenty of times. All it gets in response from him is a deadpan flat look, skeptical and incredulous and apprehensive for Laphicet's sake barely on principle. Still keeping the boy's hand in his, just outstretching his arm further to accommodate the distance he makes, he takes exactly... two steps down the stairs. ]

Okay. Now?

[ Technically lower. Smarmy jerk, Alberto... ]

Huh? This isn't much better!

[Laphicet responds after he stumbles the couple of steps in keeping up with Alberto, pulled down slightly as the other still holds to his hand. He's. Yeah not sure this is much if any of an improvement in this not being so high up. Because it's only like two steps difference. He saw the Cliff Beast catch the other person, sure but. At the same time that doesn't mean he would do the same for everyone? If a lot of people fell at the same time, would that still work? He isn't sure and isn't sure he wants to be the one to test this.]

Okay— If you're too scared to do it... Then I'll do it. You keep watch.

He lets go of Laphicet's arm, insistent on this idea, nonchalant as ever, undeterred and unafraid. What's wrong with this kid! ]

If I -- what? You're not really going to --?

[Was Alberto serious? He seemed to be. But this was so reckless! He's just a kid too. For all that Laphicet is used to danger and willing to take risks and such in having been around his particular party members back home. That still didn't mean he would just jump off of cliffs because of the chance of being caught.]

Keep watch? What if those hands don't catch you?!

That's why you're keeping watch!

[ ruihsfjknd that is not a comforting answer, what, what, what... So in other words Laphicet is tasked with handling the aftermath of a ~~likely~~ potential injury and/or death of a total stranger jumping off a cliff. That's the subtext there, to be clear. And he says it so matter-of-factly, to make it worse, like that's so obvious that's what he meant by "Keep watch" — like... if he falls to his doom, uh, go get someone or something? Who knows. He's not even totally sure what he means, let's be real. He's singleminded.

And with that, a wide, smug grin spreads over his face and his eyes begin to light up, glancing over the side from the corner of his eyes. He claps his hands together, rubbing his palms in ~~apprehension~~ anticipation, then steps backwards toward the inside of the staircase, nearly pressing himself up against the wall of the mountainside. He takes a deep breath, shuts his eyes tight briefly and whispers— something to himself... ]

Silenzio, Bruno...

[ Then gathers a lungful of air in a deep breath, opens his eyes again, wide with courage, and takes off at a running start the short length of the stairway step to launch his jump off. As he leaps, he does seem to be feeling his oats after that little breath of calming air, and he shouts out excitedly: ]

Andiamooo!

[ He splays himself out in midair after his showy leap before instantaneously descending... But only a short ways. Because just as his hypothesis had him hoping for, one of the Cliff Beast's hands is well-practiced and catches the boy gently. He lands with a thud and a loud oof, then sits back up with the most ecstatic, gratified grin ever and his arms raised triumphantly in the air, and shouts back up to Laphicet laughingly with a big whoop. ]

Wooohooooo, ahahah!! Did you see that?! It worked, haha!

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