TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 13

[avalonmods]

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*Mod note: I know this graphic is super ugly, but I ran out of time to make it pretty so it’s pretty much just for function right now. Don’t @ me about it, I know.

 

A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival  KERPLUNK, SPLASH!  You and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's waters. After plunging into the Bay, the rush of water fills your ears and soaks into every crevice of your body. You may find it hard to find a clear spot on the surface, as surrounding you are hundreds of fairy vallela, floating like tiny sailboats on the top of the water.  These vallela will surround you and begin to push up underneath, then slowly float you about three feet above the surface of the lake and carry you gently to shore... unless you thrash around or move too much, that is. Then they’ll drop you right back in the water, so be careful!
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.

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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 currently 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… I'm not asking you to make lifelong friends or lifelong roommates. Just until we get this situation sorted. If you do end up making lifelong friends? Great! All the better. Anyway, that's all from me. Catch you on Insta.``

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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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. 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! 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.

 

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King Arthur and the Queen of the Fairies have come to an agreement- if Camelot and the otherworlders cleanse the Forest of the Felled, removing all traps and wards that were placed up by humans of the past, they will be permitted safe passage into Elphame and invited to their Winter Solstice celebrations. The path to success in this task isn’t a smooth one.

 

A ⦿ Not Seeing is Believing
	After the initial failed venture into the Forest of the Felled due to the Fachan destroying resources, a new expedition was planned. All those willing to help are welcome to come along with the party, led by King Arthur and Glewlwyd.. but the party itself isn’t quite as welcome after the tricks pulled on the naiads last time. The naiads have summoned a basilisk that is slithering up and down the river, guarding it from passers.   Thankfully, Avalon basilisks are more along the lines of Medusa snakes than instant-death. If you catch their eye, you’ll find yourself instantly paralyzed.
It’s probably a good thing that there are many people around that it’s leaving people frozen where they are instead of eating right away… but in case you haven’t charged ahead out of orders, the party will be distributing blindfolds. The snake won’t try to eat the unparalyzed but crossing a river without your vision is no easy feat—it’s recommended you find at least one or two people to hold hands with, or perhaps travel up to the Pure of Heart Bridge if you think you can make it across. There’s always the option of fighting it, but a single bite from this creature would be fatal even if you manage not to give it a glance.

 

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B ⦿ A Cure on Cloud Nine
As with any mission, there are casualties. Those who survived their encounter with the basilisk far outnumber those who don’t, but there are plenty who unfortunately fell to its paralysis. It’s up to those who didn’t to save them. Thankfully, Arthur has the greatest wizard of all time on speed dial and is able to call up a consult about what they need to make a cure for the basilisk’s paralysis. In a stroke of luck, the flower necessary to make the medicine does grow in the Forest of the Felled last he checked. It hasn’t been seen in years since the forest has been virtually inaccessible, but there’s no reason it shouldn’t still be growing there.
The flower is called a Nimbus flower. It’s short, but the petals are wide and seem to flow out like gray clouds that end in a silvery blue lining at the tip. Au natural, they are known to cause euphoria and hallucinations when touched with bare skin, so gloves are handed out to pick them to any who don’t have them already. The effects fade away when heated, so cooked and mashed into a paste is the easiest way to administer them. However, that means finding and retrieving them first… a difficult task, as it seems that the various booby traps within the forest are blocking the way. Find your way through nets, log traps, snare traps, magical rope and vine binding traps, and just about any kind of booby trap you can think of (feel free to get creative) for both magical and regular creatures and you might be able to make your way to the flower field they grow in! Only then can you return and save your allies from becoming one of the forest’s felled.

 

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C ⦿ Paralysis, Paralysis, and Paralysis Again
	With the basilisk episode behind everyone, everyone is set into small groups or pairs and given a sector to patrol and clean up. For the most part it goes smoothly, save for a few curious fae who followed the party in causing mischief here and there. Ultimately, they understand that everyone is here to benefit Avalon, so they don’t cause too much harm. Everyone is able to have a smooth trip the rest of the day, though are asked to return to camp by dark for safety. After last time, who knows what else may come out at night. Everyone is provided with a thinly-stretched stew and some rustic bread for dinner. It’s after people begin to fall to sleep that things start to get unfortunate again. Most of the wards and traps are impossible to differentiate the details of, so an unwitting party accidentally released a pack of sleep-paralysis demons that had been trapped in the forest long before it became known as the Forest of the Felled.
This demon sits on a sleeping person’s chest and enters their mind, filling them with inescapable nightmares as the demon feeds off of their positive thoughts and emotions, slowly sucking out all feelings of love, happiness, and self-worth. Even if they wake up, they’ll find they are unable to move. Insomniacs and cognitive mages are going to be the best weapon against these creatures—insomniacs can attack the demons from the outside and guard cognitive mages who can dreamwalk into the sleeping victim’s dreams and convince them they’re only dreaming and to wake up. Some of the NPC insomniacs get together to perform a ritual to allow cognitive mages to cast others into dreams as well, so go quickly and help those trapped in nightmares of their own design!

 

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If you're not the type to wander off into the forest and want other ways to help, no worries! There are plenty of tasks to be done back in Camelot and the nearby areas that are much safer. Ish!

 

A ⦿ The Floor is Lava
With the city of Camelot being overcrowded still, but many things having at least been stabilized and worked out temporarily, attentions have turned to building projects to get the people of Celliwig and Lestari their own space back. Nobles have been tasked with governing townships of these refugees and creating new homes.. but to that end, people need to help create those homes first!   Various building sites near but just outside Camelot or the Celliwig ruins have been set up, but the best tactic seems to be to have crews work on them one at a time, so most people
are at the same initial one, just outside of Camelot.  Unfortunately, some idiot saw all the construction potential as a platforming opportunity and cast what can only be described as a “The Floor is Lava” spell, after the children’s game.. but much more realistic. It doesn’t seem to affect the buildings or furniture, but it’s hot as hell and people are trapped on half-built foundations because no one’s quite sure what it’ll do if you fall into it. Each building seems to have a set-up candle circle to keep the game going though, so hop from platform to platform, using furniture, beams, ropes, or anything else you can manage to get across to get to these locations, break the circle, and free buildings from the lava. And DON’T fall! (Though if you do, don’t worry- though it looks like you explode in a fiery twister to those around you, it just teleports you outside of the play area.)

 

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B ⦿ Hungry for More
	With only Camelot’s farms left in tact, there’s not quite enough food left to go around with Celliwig and Lestari refugees having mouths to feed through the winter as well. This has lead to another type of project that people have really been working toward in Camelot… creating more food.   In fact, there are a number of spells and potion recipes going around on TikTok based on experimental cloning magic.   One of the most viral videos has resulted in a potion based on the Cereus de Anima flower that uses an extract you can order online to make your own potions and “dopplegang” your food.
As with many popular TikTok trends, it’s not the best idea and has landed some people in dire need of help. #DoppleDinner is the tag to use if you’ve run into unexpected trouble using the potion:   ·        accidentally creating a temporary clone of yourself ·       accidentally creating endlessly replicating food that fills up the entire room until you can’t manage to get out of the door ·        food that seems to animate and turns around and try to eat the caster   Those seem to be some of the biggest problems this potion has created… or if you’re not caught up in the trend, you might be one of the rescuers going around to help people get out of their own doppledanger.

 

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C ⦿ Magical Flu Season
	Unfortunately, flu season happens just as much in the magic realm as it does in the regular realm. People are starting to get sick all around Camelot, especially with the more condensed population making it easier and easier to spread disease.   One such disease is the magical flu—a variation of the flu that has a rather alarming change of symptoms from the original. Headaches, chills, sweating, sniffles, and coughs? Sure. The magical flu passes up the grosser excretions though, and instead many mages find themselves excreting magic unexpectedly.
Uncontrollable, accident casting is running rampant with those infected, and it’s causing a lot of problems. The only cure is a good healer, so you’d better hope you can hold in that sneeze on the way to see a doctor… or else you might end up casting whatever magic you’ve landed with on anyone around you.

 

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• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, as the events within are considered game canon. • 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. • If you have feedback about the layout still, click here to give it! Be constructive, mods are people too and don't appreciate rude comments.

 

Comments

3

[flapsin]

[Sometimes the nearest person just happens to be a duck. One who talks and wears a shirt! He takes in the human woman's suggestion and nods.]

Good thinking! It looks tricky, but it just might work. [Drake's used to trying out death-defying stunts frequently as Darkwing Duck, so he thinks that maybe he can make it!]

Are you up to the task itself? If so, we should get moving. Not a second to waste!

[custodire]

[Surprise would come in at another time-- between chimera, immortal humans, and now a magical world.... Honeslty talking ducks aren't far out of the realm of possibility anymore. Even if it makes her blink a start of surprise away.]

I don't see any other path through; At the very least we'll have more to work with on that side. [It's a bigger platform than a practical balancing beam, at least.]

I should be fine... What about yourself?

[She only sounds slightly dubious, his question makes her think he believes he is. And he is a duck so that's certainly got to be beneficial. If not.. They'd figure something else out.]

[flapsin]

[At this point, Drake braces himself for being asked questions about himself whenever he meets most humans for the first time. He does appreciate that she's not starting with any off the bat, at the very least. And she's making some good points! Drake nods along and manages to answer properly.]

Don't worry about me. I might not be able to fly, but that doesn't mean I'm not capable of aerial feats! [He can be quite the acrobatic duck, even out of costume! He rubs his hands together as he prepares himself... and wipes some sweat from the sweltering heat.]

Would you like the honors of going first? [He doesn't want to accidentally leave her behind!]

[custodire]

[Right ducks can't fly... But she was half-hoping maybe duck people could— Not that it would make too much sense.]

I'm sure you are.

[Her tone's agreeable, deciding for a soothing-confidence; There's no reason to believe he can't if he said he can. One hand moving to the back of her hair to ensure the pieces are still in place of her bun, she gave a nod.]

If I slip or the gap is deemed too far, wait where you are.

[With that it's a breath of an exhale, a running leap, and she grips the cord. It cuts into her hands some— that will hurt later, probably sooner— but the makeshift cord swings back once and on the second full swing she pulls herself onto the platform.]<.small>

Hands stinging she turned back to give a short, encouraging nod.]

[flapsin]

If- if you say so! [He says that, but he's readt to throw himself into action if she ends up falling! Fortunately, it doesn't come to that. Instead, he watches with wonder as she nails the swing and jump. Drake gives her some applause in turn.]

Nice job! You'd get full marks for that. Okay, now it's my turn!

[With his own running start, the duck nimbly leaps into the air and grabs onto the cord! It sure does sting to hold onto, but he's partially used to using makeshift cords and wires to swing around the city at night. He adjusts his trajectory to make the swines as wide as possible, seemingly just for the sake of showing off.

After a moment of that, he swings forward and leaps through the air, landing right by the human with a graceful pose! ...He almost immediately stumbles, but he managed to retain his footing.]

There! Made it.

[custodire]

Oh? I didn't know you were scoring me. I'll have to try harder next time.

[ The return is dry, but despite their current situation adds a mild layer of humor. She takes several step backs on the platform to allow him some landing room, amber eyes alert for any missteps she may be able to help keep him safe from.

Maybe it's that he's technically a bird, but he seemed relaxed making the jump. Seemed to be making a show of it by swinging out far further than necessary. She wondered about that, but said nothing as the few seconds pass and he lands next to her.

A hand instinctively going out to level him if needed while she released a breath that could be a laugh.]

I'd give you full marks, but I'm going to have to take off two points between the landing and the showiness.

[Shifting to look back over her shoulder, going all business for the moment:] There's something we can use as makeshift stairs and an incline to the next place.

If I didn't know any better I'd say how everything is set up is on purpose.

[Which the more she stands there, the more she questions. It's like an obstacle course.]

[flapsin]

[The duck props his arms on his sides as he steadies himself, perhaps assuming somewhat too much of a hero posture in his civilian identity in order to show off. There's nothing wrong with a little bit of showboating when you know what you're doing, right? He takes her rating with a wry smile.]

Everyone's a critic...

[He'll just lightly say that, but he does otherwise keep focused on the task at hand. He takes note of the structures she points out and nods along.]

Sounds like a plan to me. You're on top of this stuff! [He's ready to move at a moment's notice, but the rest of what she says does have him thinking.] ...I wouldn't be surprised, though. Things like this doesn't just suddenly happen naturally. And if someone wanted us dead, well, the lava could have been set up to take care of that automatically. It kinda feels like... some kinda very unnecessarily realistic game...!

[custodire]

Now that you know that you'll have to do better yourself.

[It's almost teasing— As close as she gets to it, but it's just as dry-sounding as ever. A short nod follows at his following comment and she chooses not to say more. It's only normal. As a member of the military and a bodyguard, she has to keep a look out on surroundings.]

The duck-man agrees as she begins taking the short incline down then the next incline up. Attention turning downwards to where the lava is. Was lava supposed to move? Shouldn't it be hotter this high up— it's definitely warm even up here... Still, it really is too convenient.]

You're right, we would have felt an earthquake. The air is stiff with heat, but I'm not sure if it's as hot as it should be... It's still better not to trust. [Finishing up the first incline, she reaches back and offers a hand.] Either way, I'd like to avoid testing just how dangerous it is if we can.

[flapsin]

I suppose there is always room for improvement!

[He accepts that cheerily as they move along. The human definitely seems to have a sharp eye, almost like some kind of bird of prey! Some kind of a... falconeye? In any case, Drake can respect that, and it shows him that he can stand to sharpen his instincts more as an aspiring hero. He ends up following her lead as they move onwards!]

Right! Those things you said, that's pretty much it. Plus, a lot off things that happen around here turn out to be some kind of weird magic at work. [With a grunt, he reaches forward to accept her hand, with a grateful smile.] ...But you are right! Regardless of how dangerous it really is, I'm in no rush to test it! We just have to keep moving, and I'm sure we'll beat this! [Either they'll find safety, or more powerful magic users will do something about the lava. It's just a matter of staying in one piece until then.]

[custodire]

[The woman gives a small, thoughtful hum. Even now it's difficult to wrap her head entirely around— talking ducks withstanding, magic isn't really in her scale of expertise. Well, maybe it will have to be.]

That's the real worry. Who's to say it doesn't change on a whim? [From dangerous to non dangerous and perhaps back again. Her own smile remained fixed as she made certain he was steady before turning back away.

Another platform. The ways to go aren't too easy to see here, three possibilities and one's practically a backtrack. She tapped a finger against an elbow.]

Do you want to pick which way we go from here?


[OOC: My apologies for the wait! I understand if it's better to let this go.]

[flapsin]

Right. Basically, there's a lot of variables to keep in mind!

[He's had a few months now to acclimate to magic and all the things it can accomplish in this world! Now he pauses as he looks ahead to the next platform and tries to ponder their options.]

Yeah, I think I see which path to take. There's a ladder on one side of that platform... And I see a couch floating towards it. It'll be a risky leap, but if we can get onto the couch, it should take us right to that ladder!