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avalaughs2021-10-01 12:05 am
TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 12
 | QUICK NAV: ⚔️️ Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary |
⚔️️ View Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ |
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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival |
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The Lady of the Lake seems busy this time around, having cast the spell to draw in the new arrivals and bailed, but the Rent-a-Ride at the top of the cliffs seems to be the only place around to go. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs or getting acquainted with their new familiars. There’s no railing, be careful! Should you fall, a mysterious sand hand will 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 atop 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,” referring to a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's inventory. It’s enchanted by Merlin to recover possessions and pets from the lake before they become waterlogged. Before Archimedes can give his usual spiel, a special voice message is sent to everyone’s brand new phones. ``Merlin here. Welcome to Avalon! I usually don't greet newcomers like this, but I wanted to make you aware of the situation we have here in Camelot. Refugees from places called Celliwig and Lestari are now living in Camelot, so we're a bit tight on space. It would be great if you could find yourself roommates when you get to Camelot. The Caravan ride is a great place to get to know to people. Built-in mini-bars to break the ice and all… |
The man leading the caravan rolls his eyes and just expresses “There you have it,” before getting everyone going in modernized carriages pulled by horses. These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless. The carts have a smart thermostat, the promised mini-bar, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, @avalononline (AOL), to chat with others, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, including how to use the phone). Just be careful-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk. | |
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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. Newcomers get free inn rooms for their one night stay on the way to Camelot, containing two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and movies.
Don't want to relax in the room? Take a dip in the communal hot spring. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly. 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! |
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A ⦿ Sleeping Struggles | |
| True to Merlin's word, the inn of Camelot is a little crowded. There are efforts to fit the inn with new furniture to help out the smaller rooms by bolstering them with bunks, but it takes a while to make a sturdy bed without mass production facilities. One particularly creative mage from Lestari came up with and is teaching a special spell called Recipe: Magnetic Lull, a spell that can be used to magnetize objects for about 4 hours at a time. The idea is to use it on a spot on the floor and a sheet with the same polarity so that the sheet floats above the floor. It's a nifty little spell for people who don't move much in their sleep! |
Unfortunately, for those who move about, it's a little unstable so getting too close to the edge could topple you to the floor. Heavy sleepers are just as apt to have problems since the timing is very precise-- don't wake up to renew your spell before the 4-hour mark and you'll end up slamming into the ground. Another tricky part of casting the spell is making sure you aim only for what you need... a little magnetism can go a long way when you can cast it on just about anything. (It is highly recommended you put any metal weapons in locked storage while using.) Be very careful or you may just find yourself or any other number of accidental objects magnetized! | |
B ⦿ Don't Break Me, Breakfast | |
For the less polarized people, the inn is offering upgraded breakfast to anyone willing to simply share a bed, the most cost-effective means of saving space. Though their usual continental breakfast is temporarily suspended due to a need to ration, they are delivering portioned breakfasts to each room at precisely 7:30am each morning. Those who don't share a bed will get a mystery muffin and an apple. Mystery muffins are the kitchen's attempt to make their ingredients go a little further and may contain odd flavors or magical effects that last about 30 minutes. The first week's features are:
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Those who are willing to share a bed with another will receive the upgraded breakfast of scrambled eggs, mixed non-magic fruit, and go'oat milk. Yes, go'oat milk. It's a special blend of oats they've been magically preserving in their basement for emergencies. It'll give you energy for the whole day! Side effects may include jitteriness and slightly decreased inhibitions due to feeling like you're ready to GO!! But that's definitely better than the mystery muffins. ...Maybe you should check if Camelot's castle has any rooms left? | |
C ⦿ Not Quite a Puppy Parade | |
| Humans and faekind aren't the only refugees from Celliwig and Lestari. Blessedly, a large number of pets were rescued during Camelot's efforts… but unfortunately, that doesn't always mean that those pets made it out with their pet parents along with them. In the town square, there are fence posts put up with light magic to create little pens for a number of pets. It's a pet adoption fair hosted by some Celliwig animal lovers who wanted to do their part to help everyone find their new temporary (or hopefully forever) home. |
Popular pets of Lestari include capybara, chickens, compsognathus, and a variety of fae frogs. The chickens seem to be going fast, with food shortages being a concern on a lot of peoples' minds right now with only Camelot's stores being available for three cities. Those who have the eggs have the money... but you couldn't ask for a better pet than the overly friendly capybara! The fae frogs are an excellent choice, however, as they tend to be capable of intelligent speech and though they tend to condescend, they're willing to help correct poor magic techniques to help you improve a little faster if you can get past the attitude problem. …And yes, we are going to glaze over the compies. They're considered an "advanced pet-owner" choice and don't seem to be very popular, but you’re welcome to try your hand with the tiny, hungry dinos if you don’t mind losing a finger or two. Take a look around, play with any of the pets that you want, and help catch any that run off. Maybe you'll find your new forever friend? | |
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| Stressed out about the close quarters and odd ongoings in the city? Not to worry, there are tasks at hand for those who want to get out in the wild as well. With the sudden loss of Celliwig and the barriers being taken down that were shielding the river from crossing specters, the Forest of the Felled needs to be cleaned up. |
A ⦿ River Rapid Rumba | |
It's not a short journey from Camelot to the Forest of the Felled, particularly for everyone. Though there is an easy path at the Pure of Heart Bridge, it is a bridge that is quite clear about those who can cross it-- the pure of heart. The naiads control the waters of the river, and there are more than a few present in this one. They are both a loving and a jealous folk, so the key to getting across with ease is to either seduce or befriend one.
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Naiads love beautiful people, both inside and out, so show them an act of kindness and you will not need to do anything physical. They will value your friendship as beauty and will allow you to pass. If you are not the type, consider taking off your shirt or showing some dance talents that work the rear. If neither form of beauty befits your character, one who does have their affections may try to flirt with someone else on your behalf. A jealous naiad will redirect all the rapids around them in an attack and leave low water levels for those to sneak behind them whilst she is distracted. How the distraction team makes it out of that mess is on them. | |
B ⦿ Forest of the Fachan | |
| Past the rapids (if you made it), the forest itself is too quiet, and the wind is too loud, whistling through the trees and a myriad of wards and ties and tricks that were once used to seal the spirits into the Forest of the Felled. Empty of death now, the forest only seems to be home to bugs, squirrels, and other small creatures that help the trees propagate. The biggest landmark now is the sleeping stone giant that sits in a self-made clearing in the center of the forest. It is visible even from the southernmost point where the party enters and begins heading north-east, removing wards, candles, scraps of fabric, ropes and twine binding trees together, and all other manner of implements used to trap spirits. The trip itself is relatively quiet until the sun starts to set. Then, once in a while when you close your eyes, you feel like there's something staring back at you from within your own eyelids. |
It chitters and laughs in your head loudly enough that you aren't sure if you heard it in your ears or your imagination, and then it's seemingly gone (to someone else). After the third time it happens, the voice will sing-song "No more dead, no more live, no more singing by my side. Break the quiet, make some noise," and then suddenly, in a deeper, more rugged voice "Ï̶͚̰̭̟̈́̆͝'̴̡̙͙͖͆͛l̸̻̾̈́̒l̶̗͈̔͊̒̀ ̸̭̉ͅb̴̮̍̓è̷̺͇̪̽̊̅ ̴̨̪̭͘b̵̪̞̉ṙ̸̭̳̼͓̊͠͝e̷̦͈̞͐̀͂a̵̙̟̘̾̀̀k̴̘̩͚͊̊̍i̴̳̥͒̚ͅň̷͈g̸̛̳̅̀ ̴̛͎m̴͈͆̇y̵͖̰͉͛̅̀͜͝ ̸͙̈́n̵͕̫̓͑̏̿e̷̬̤̎̌̈̈́w̴̛͎͛ ̵̫̘͑̄̈̈͜t̸͙̂ȍ̸͈́̄y̶̹̿̆̎͝s̷̯̀͜͠.̴̦͚̯͍̉͘" The sun, appropriately, is setting at this point, and the party seems to somehow start getting separated. A strange stench, like rotten flesh seems to fill the air. With only two or three people left in an area, the creature will finally appear, wielding a barbed flail, with rotten apples hanging off of each of the barbs. It has one leg, one arm, one eye, and its skin appears like potato skin save for a tuft of black hair atop its head. Its wide mouth bears bloody, pointed teeth. The faint of heart have been known to be frozen in fear or drop dead of a heart attack simply from seeing it. It laughs in your head before it swings its flail, launching an attack. It's time to fight the fachan, an unseelie fae who had adapted to feasting on the spirits of the Forest of the Felled and is now hungry and ready to devastate any living thing that wanders into the forest. | |
C ⦿ Campfire Stories | |
| Someone is sure to defeat the fachan one way or the other, and once that is out of the way (or you were lucky enough to have someone slay it before it even found you), the forest is finally back to just the creepsome wind. Everyone left is able to find each other and set up a tight-knit camp at the foot of the stone giant and with wires wrapped around the area to alert them if any... non-dead residents of the forest come a'knocking. Unfortunately, it's discovered that during the attacks a lot of the supplies were lost. This would be as far as anyone would make it, so it would be best to head back to Camelot to restock for now. But that is for morning. It's far too late now, so pull up, get your ration of tater soup, and share your favorite spooky story to get in the mood for the season. The truly scary part of the evening is over, it's good to have a laugh at whatever kind of hokey nonsense everyone can come up with! |
• This post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads and may start their own logs off-post, 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 usually present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. This month's has some changes based on current events, please read carefully. 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. |
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No, not so much.
[ She sighs, but when she glances over and sees the ferret caught in the other person’s hair, she leaves the hamsters for now. ]
Need some help?
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They have to sleep sometime, right?
[ Then again, would she want to be rudely awakened like that? Maybe if it were for the greater good. Like not getting eaten by something bigger and badder than a tiny thing with wings. ]
Oh! Yes, if you wouldn't mind. Please. I don't think he-- [ The ferret sticks its head out indignantly, flashing both girls a look. ] ...she? [ That seems better. She ducks back into the mess of blond. ] I don't think that she's trying to be mean, just a little... too playful.
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[ Maybe burning off some energy will be good for them.
Meanwhile, as Amy walks over, she can’t help the feeling that there’s something…familiar about the other girl.
But questions can come later. Right now she carefully reaches out, trying to separate some of the girl’s hair away from the ferret. ]
Hey there…I know you’re probably pretty comfy there, but it’s time to come out.
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[ Very relatable. After being stuck in a space station her entire short life, she can understand the need to break free and run. That had been the dream she'd shared with Shadow for so long, after all.
The ferret trills, poking her head out from Maria's hair, and she tilts her head, considering. Yes, she is comfortable! It's warm and dark and she's happy. It probably shows in the way her beady eyes dart to and fro, how she's thinking about darting off, but suddenly she deflates and extends a tiny paw to Amy.
Help. Help this princess. ]
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[ As much as she wanted to be annoyed with them, she can’t really blame them.
With a smile, she gives the ferret a reassuring pet while still trying to untangle the girl’s hair from around her. ]
There we go. Once we get you freed, you can join the others for something to eat, okay?
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[ The ferret yawns as Amy works her magic, and once she's loose enough, she shakes the remaining hair off and just sort of casually scurries up poor Amy's arm and onto her shoulder instead, looking quite pleased with herself. ]
Thank you! Ah, it looks like you've made a friend now, too!
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I guess so! It’s nice to meet you.
[ Turning to the other girl, she smiles and holds out her hand. ]
And you too! I’m Amy Rose!
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Maria smiles in return, extending her own hand to give Amy's a gentle shake. ]
You as well. My name is Maria Robotnik.
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Wh…M-Maria?
[ How was that possible? ]
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Yes, that's my name!
[ Boy, she sure is... looking a little surprised. ]
...Are you okay, Amy? You look as though you've seen a ghost.
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She shakes her a little, trying to take a breath. ]
Y-Yeah, sorry, I… [ What can she even say right now? ] I’m uh…I’m a friend of Shadow’s.
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[ Because it sounds crazy, but also, she's almost 99.99999999% sure this is some weirdo afterlife so-- ]
...Are we dead? I don't feel dead, but.
[ Y'know. She is. Huh. At the mention of Shadow, Maria's eyes widen a fraction. ]
Oh! Shadow's made a friend, that's so wonderful! Then he made it...
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N…N-No, I don’t think we’re dead. At least, I hadn't been when I came here.
[ But hadn’t there been some people asking about that before? About suddenly being alive when they weren’t before?
Maria’s other words get a small smile from her, and she nods. ]
Y-Yeah, he made it…You really saved him.
[ Even with some of the pain that came afterwards, she knew Maria was always helping him in some ways even now. ]
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I see. I'm glad you weren't! But if we aren't dead, I don't understand how or why I'm here. I assumed this was some sort of afterlife.
[ This is kinda... an issue. Because if she's alive, does that mean that the disease she'd had carried over? At least she didn't have to worry about getting other people sick with it, but it's something she needs to consider.
Well. She can worry about that later. ]
I'm so glad... he deserves the literal world. And nothing could make me any happier than knowing he has good friends like you to lean on. Thank you for that... thank you for watching over him and being his friend, Amy.
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And Maria’s words fill her with something she can’t quite identify, and her smile feels a bit sad even if she’s not entirely sure why. ]
It’s really…I mean, I’m happy to. Honestly, I wish I could do more for him.
But I know he’ll also really be happy to see you again too.
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Dying isn't an issue. Dying isn't even sad. It's only sad for those who are left behind, and that? That's her one and only regret about that day. She'd left Shadow to fend for himself. But looking at Amy now, she knows that as hard as it must have been for him? Things must be looking up now. ]
Just being his friend... I'm certain is enough for him. I don't think I could ever properly express just how happy it makes me, knowing that he has someone as sweet and kind as you at his side.
[ This brings up another question, though -- just how long has it been? It's only been moments for her. She'd laid there for a few more moments after launching Shadow towards Earth before she'd succumbed to her wounds. Wounds that are... mysteriously not there.
Well. Amy said this wasn't an afterlife, so, she has to believe that. ]
I hope so... I hope he won't be too upset with me.
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But those are her own thoughts, things she’d worry about on her own time. Things she didn’t really have the heart to admit to Maria, especially as the other girl admits her own worry about Shadow. And she can’t help a small laugh, a touch sad as it is, as she shakes her head. ]
He won’t be, I’m sure of it. I doubt that he could ever be upset with you.
[ For her, about her. But never with her. ]
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[ She couldn't blame him even if he was upset with her. With how quickly everything happened and the way it did... well. He has every right to be upset with her, even if what she did was out of love. ]
But tell me, how long have you been here so far?
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Uh…a couple of months.
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that will inevitably end up getting thrown at Shadow later, but it's exciting to be here and meeting new people. Making friends. ]It may seem like a silly question, but have you enjoyed your stay here? Thus far, I mean.
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I-
[ She had been, up until the end of last month. She’d been having fun, doing things she wanted and not things that demanded her immediate attention, and even with the knowledge that they were trying to save their homeworlds she hadn’t felt the the pressure of carrying the world on her shoulders and cracking under the strain.
But then Celliwig and Lestari fell, and now those cities are in ruins and their survivors were cramped into a town that struggled to accommodate them all. And the failures there pushed all her own from back home crashing to the forefront, reminding her of just how inadequate she really is. How her best was never quite good enough, no matter who was counting on her. It pushed her to do more, be more, in order to not fail again.
But she couldn’t say any of that. Not now, not to her. Maria would learn of the falls of those cities soon enough, if she didn’t know of it already, but she didn’t deserve to have such a burden put on her just yet. Not when she’s just gotten this chance to live.
But she isn’t quite able to catch her breath despite smiling as best as she could, clasping her hands behind her back to keep hide how shaky they started to get. ]
I mean…yeah, for the most part! It can be pretty nice here.
[ It isn’t much of an answer, but it’s all she can manage at the moment. And she can only hope that the other girl doesn’t quite notice. ]