avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival

KERPLUNK, SPLASH!

Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you.

If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. When not helping people, the turtles are going around and hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals or pushing personal items to the beach near the new arrivals they smell like (belong to). If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly.

B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot

Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** to everyone before getting them settled in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and give them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The 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 nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service,

avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk.

C ⦿ The Red Spring

The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies.

If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out!

The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there.

Everyone needs a little fun from time to time; the locals have put together the annual Snow Games. As with all things Avalonians plan, magic plays a part in the competition. There will be three separate tiers for characters to enter. Each Tier will have its predetermined track or ring, set up and ready to go.

A ⦿ Foot Races

three-legged race

B ⦿ Sled Races

magically driven sleds

C ⦿ Snow Chicken

Snow Chicken, Magic Vs Yeti Style... This competition will differ from the previous two; it is not a race to the finish line but instead a competition to be the last team standing! Participants will pair off and one person will climb on the shoulders of the other and try to wrestle their opponents off without getting knocked off themselves. The field is full of snow, with more coming from the sky. Your opponents will be Yeti. Try to stay on, Yeti are no slouches so teams will have to work together using their magic not only to stay put but to knock your big-footed opponents to the ground.

Just... be wary, these friendly yeti are surprisingly big on hugging as a form of congratulations. It's much more challenging to escape from a yeti's embrace than it is to knock one over.

Trumpets hail an announcement by the town crier in front of the castle. More than a few people pull out their phones to record it and post it to the AOL network for all to see.

"Hear ye, hear ye! Our noblest of lords, King Arthur of Camelot, will host a tournament on this January the 20th on castle grounds. All are welcome to participate in competitions to determine those most skilled in both the physical and magical arts. In preparation for the upcoming tournament, we are sending envoys to Celliwig. In Celliwig lies the Magic Mirror of the South, gifted to Camelot by the Fae, and a means to communicate with their royal court at will. It is a vastly important task in your journey to become magicians and to show your good will toward the fairies. Parts of the mirror's frame have been damaged. We will need those brave of soul and pure of heart to retrieve the crystals needed to repair the mirror. Those interested, the party leaves at dawn."

A ⦿ Brave of Soul

The first stop on the trip to restore Celliwig's Mirror is to a cave just north of Albion's White Cliffs. No longer a part of the cliffs themselves, this outcropping goes underground and to a dank, dark cave. It is the only place which a special prismatic crystal grows. The crystal itself is hidden deep in the cave, which can only be passed by passing into a zone in which magic cannot be used. Characters will enter the cave and must face an illusion of one of their greatest fears. Those frozen in fear will pass out and wake up outside of the cave with no crystal. Those who run will find themselves turned out of the cave as well. Only those who recognize and face that fear deep in their soul will find the path forward. The fear will turn into a small light spirit, which will smile and reveal to them the crystals they seek.

B ⦿ Pure of Heart

The second stop is past a shanty town and at the bridge north of it. The bridge itself is broken, only the ends in existence. The water itself is impassible, white rapids sweeping away anything that steps into it. Silver crystals are on the other side of the bridge, visible in an outcropping from where they are, but it appears there is no way around as magic does not work on the bridge. The only clue as to how to get across is a plaque in the dirt before the bridge.

"The pure of heart will form the bridge with a leap of faith."

Since everyone has gone as a group, it will be possible to see others walking over the water once one person figures it out. Though the clue may seem challenging, it is quite straight-forward. Characters who are pure of heart will find that if they believe in themselves, they will be able to step off the bridge and hardlight will form beneath their feet to allow them to step over the water. Those with ill intentions or those who are willing to harm others to get their way will slip into the rapid waters and may need to be saved by other characters. At least you're off the bridge, so magic will work to that end.

C ⦿ Celliwig, the Splendored Court

As the travelers leave the bridge, they turn toward the shanty town-- wood shacks and failing farms. Not a place anyone would want to visit. Those who try to run ahead will find that it disappears as if an illusion, and they will find nothing. Those who stick with the party will wait a fair distance away until the sun sets. Once the sun begins to fall beyond the horizon, the small town will begin to shimmer brilliant whites and colors-- a glamour hiding its true glory, a city made solely of crystals and glass: Celliwig, the Splendored Court. Though smaller than Camelot, every part of the city is beautiful and glistening. The population is small and it's very quiet and serene for a city. The people of the city don't seem keen on speaking to outsiders, and will typically scatter before anyone can really engage them. They seem humanoid in nature, but not entirely human. Even the animals around the city seem to be ethereal in nature, gliding more than walking.

The party is led to a hall at the center of the city-- the hall of mirrors. Those who have succeeded in obtaining crystals need to bring them and set them on a table placed before a mirror at the end of the hall, which appears to have a number of empty settings. It's unclear what happened to the mirror previously, but now it's necessary to restore it to garner the favor of the fae.

Once crystals have been delivered, people will be free to explore the quiet city, but it seems most of the city is closing shop while the visitors are around. There is a restaurant that will serve visitors food, though all of the dishes are of the molecular gastronomy variety. Alcoholic drinks seem to come in vapor form and flashes of light if ordered, but seem effective nonetheless. The local general store seems to be willing to sell supplies to weary travelers as well, but that's about it.

...That said the inn doesn't seem particularly keen on allowing visitors in strangely, so you're either going to be sleeping on the iridescent streets or camping just outside the city if you prefer the soft grass and the darkness of night. Just be aware, if you leave, you won't be able to get back into this mysterious city so easily.

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.
• Note that the third prompt in this TDM will have consequences on the game's progression. After the application round, a poll will be put up to see how many characters who are in the game, both new and old, are able to obtain the crystals from the Brave of Soul and Pure of Heart prompts.
• The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but may contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly.
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

*This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count.
**Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Arrival
A-
For someone accustomed to the sweltering desert heat, followed by a century of nothingness, the shock to the Gerudo chief's system that was the sudden violent cold of the lake nearly claimed her consciousness. Thankfully, with the help of a turtle and the Lady of the Lake, Urbosa was able to consume the potion and be taken to shore safely. With everything happening so fast, she simply sat at the water's edge for a long moment, staring confused out at the water. Even with the potion, there was a chill in the air that stung as she breathed. That was another thing she had to get used to, the simple fact that she somehow found herself returned to the flesh was jarring in itself.

So consumed with her thoughts that she didn't notice the long serpent-like dragon drifting lazily down until it rested on her shoulder, giving her still wet shoulder a bit of a static shock. When she glanced down at the dragon on her shoulder she only seemed more confused. She could only get one word out in her shock. "...Farosh?" After a good five minutes of just sitting with her thoughts, she finally stood and began the trek up the stairs, a multitude of questions running through her mind.

C-
Upon getting her questions answered, Urbosa had made her way to the training grounds. Never had she been one to simply sit around and rest, especially when the fate of all realities seemed to be on the line. She had quickly identified what kind of magic she had as it was close to what she was used to already, but the indiscriminate lightning barrage of Urbosa's Fury still eluded her, much to her frustration. She was getting the hang of this new form of magic, able to strike at the targets with precision when the spells actually ignited, however the manipulation of energy was so foreign to her that she was taking some getting used to the process rather than simply snapping her fingers.

Mirror Mirror
A-
Urbosa was quick to volunteer for this mission. Any excuse to get out and move her body in this intense cold was welcome to her. Thankfully, she had found a warm outfit that didn't hamper her movement too much. When told the crystal that was required was in the cave, she was the first to volunteer to go in after it. Torch in one hand, Scimitar of the Seven in the other, she led the way. However, once she entered the anti-magic zone, she held her arm to the side, stopping anyone following her from continuing. There, hovering in the air was an eldritch mess of hair, glowing light resembling a shield and hook, and a black tar-like substance.

At first, Urbosa was frozen to the spot, the sight of the creature that had killed her and brought ruin to her home terrified her. However, that feeling was quickly overshadowed by and consumed by fury.

"I don't know how this creature came to be here, but none of you are to lift a finger in felling it." Tightening her grip on her scimitar, she tossed the torch to the side, pulling her shield from where it sat on her hip before pointing her blade at the creature and advancing.

"You caught me off guard the last time we fought, but I will relish tearing you apart this time, fiend!" With a war cry she leapt at the creature, bringing the scimitar to bear on the raised shield only to find no resistance. After cutting through the vision, she glanced back at where the beast had been, only to see the crystal. Taking it in hand, she turned back to those accompanying her and handed it off, sighing. "And to think, I was actually going to savor a chance to slay that thing."

As a fellow new arrival, Dimitri made his way to the training grounds upon arriving at the resort. If there were anyone there he knew, they would be little surprised by such a thing -- after all, he loves very little more than a good sparring match. Plus he wanted to see what kind of magic he had been granted.

He stopped, however, when he saw that someone else had gotten there before him. The woman was a stranger to Dimitri, and he hung back and watched for a little while. When she reached a pause in her training, he took the chance to step forward.

"I see I wasn't the only one who was eager to check out the training grounds. Would you mind some company as I test what I have?"

"Be my guest!"

Urbosa wasn't about to hog the training grounds to herself, and it gave her a chance to size up this newcomer. She didn't recognize his clothing, but he seemed far more at home in the chilly climate than she did. She could tell that he was a fighter despite the bulk from his warmer clothing.

She stepped aside, allowing Dimitri access to the magical targets she'd been zapping with her lightning, and took a bottle from nearby and took a long drink, watching his movements intently.

"Thank you." Dimitri stepped up to where the targets were. From the long, leather bag he had on him he pulled out a throwing spear. He took aim at one of the targets, drew his throwing arm back, twirled the spear for good measure, and threw it. It lodged firmly into one of the targets. It was a bullseye, so by all means he should have been pleased. But...

"Hmm. I was afraid of that."

He stepped away from his throwing point and retrieved the spear, then returned to the same position. He assumed a throwing stance again, this time closing his eye.

"Focus, Dimitri. Focus," he muttered under his breath. As he did, a faint blue glow enveloped his throwing arm. After taking a deep breath, he opened his eye and, with a shout, threw the spear once more.

This time the target shattered into a dozen pieces as the spear struck it. The impact caused it to spin upwards, then land point-down in the ground behind the target.

"That's more like it."

The first throw got an impressed whistle from Urbosa, while the second got an impressed chuckle from her. "Impressive arm you have there."

She grins as she moves closer to a rack of training weapons. "I'm guessing that you're more of a fighter than a magician, correct?"

It had been too long since Urbosa had met someone that seemed like they could keep up with her in sparring and she was itching to put her muscles through their paces after a century of not being able to. "Mind humoring me?"

From the rack she took a wooden sword and spear, offering the spear out to Dimitri.

"No, I've never had a talent for magic." As his Magic growth rate and weakness in Reason would indicate to those on the other side of the fourth wall. "All of my talent lies in the sword, the spear, and horseback."

For the moment, Dimitri watched as Urbosa walked over to the rack. When he saw her grab a couple of weapons, he couldn't help but smile. "Of course not. As a matter of fact, I rather enjoy sparring with a worthy opponent." After taking the wooden spear, he twirled it a couple of times before comparing its length to his own body proportions and assuming a few brief combat stances to see how it felt. It was no Areadbhar, but it would do. He just hoped he didn't break it by accident.

After handing the spear off to Dimitri, Urbosa takes a leather target shield off the wall and straps it to her arm. "I am certain you will find me worthy in that regard. Might I ask what your name is?"

While there was a sarcastic tone to her voice, she was clearly enjoying the back and forth. It had been far too long since she got to stretch like this.

"Dimitri." He let the butt of the spear touch the ground as he held it upright. "Well, my full name is Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd -- but I like people to use my first name with me. And you?"

Hearing of the Fae's predicament, and knowing the importance of having a dependable line of communication between the Royal Family and the People, Zelda had taken up the quest to help restore Celliwig's Mirror. She had pretty much been following the second group to go attempt the trial, lost in her thoughts over a past experience in a cave much like this one. At least she had met the King of Conquerors in that frightening almost death-trap.

What she didn't expect was to have see upon entering the cave's underbelly, barely discernible in the dim torchlight, was the good friend of her mother and woman who she too had come to see as family herself. Oh, how she had missed the Gerudo Chief, the last time she had seen her was months ago, before her arrival in Avalon. Her last training session seemed like it was a reality of another lifetime now but seeing Urbosa again made it clear that there was still a need for her to awaken her powers in order to save her kingdom.

Which meant doing what was needed here first, so there would be a kingdom to save.

Zelda shook off her surprise, ready to call out to the Champion, but something seemed off about Urbosa's expression. Her eyes seemed glazed, as though she weren't even there. And then suddenly she was fine, a luminescent crystal in her hand. The princess breathed a sigh of relief, and started making her way to cross the length of the cave to her. But then something else caught her attention. Out of the corner of her vision something billowed into a black and magenta cloud of pure malice. Though never having seen it herself, and despite it not quite completely formed to its full size, Zelda knew exactly what it was.

Calamity Ganon.

"No!" she breathed stepping back as a literal chill ran down her spine, "Why... why is it here?"

The princess began to panic, having no idea how to face her worst fear with no Goddess' powers to call on. She shook her head and cried out, almost hysterically so.

"I am not ready!"

Perhaps some encouraging words from an auntie figured who had just experienced the exact same thing might help?

As soon as she heard that voice, all other thoughts left her head. The fact that Zelda was here was a shock in and of itself but there were more pressing things to worry about. She tosses her crystal to one of the people accompanying her, not paying attention to whether or not it was caught, as she sheathes her sword and rushes over to Zelda's side.

With one motion, she scoops the princess into her arms and makes for the entrance to the cave. Once at the mouth of the cave, she kneels down, setting Zelda down, leaning the princess against her knee.

"Easy there, little bird. It's alright now, I've got you."

Being taken from the scene was enough to reacquaint her with Urbosa's presence; though the abject horror of the situation still remained, along with the fierce pounding of her heart and shake of her hands.

"Urbosa! I... I do not know what to do! I cannot fight him like this, I will surely lose." the hysteria was still there as she said it, "But I cannot stand by and allow Calamity Ganon to bring his evil to this place!"

She was definitely still shocked to see the Gerudo Chief here, but the terror she was feeling overtook her surprise.

Harry has joined in helping out newcomers the second time around, helping out in distributing cloaks and towels to anyone who needs them, Rose is also there to help, squeaking to any potential new friends.

Using his kinetic magic, he carefully folds each cloak and towel in a neat pile when he sees a tall tanned woman with red hair coming up to the cliffs with a serpentine dragon on her shoulder.

“Oh hello there, do you need a towel or a cloak right now?” he offers her one of each other, wondering if she would take one or both.

Urbosa is still wringing her hair out by the time she reaches the top of the stairs and when offered, she looks at Harry like she was in the dessert and he offered her some water. "I'll take several," she joked as she pulled a cloak around her and started drying her hair off more effectively with a towel.

The tall woman must be taking her new situation here much better than he was expecting, he was impressed by that. He then lets out a small chuckle when she jokingly asks for more towels and cloaks.

“I got to hand it to you, you don’t look like you’re panicking like most people upon being dropped into the water, especially with the cold weather we’re having,” Harry smiles back at the woman, while Rose scurries to her and greets her with several squeaks.

The small thunder serpent lazily drifted down to meet Harry's familiar with its own inquisitive sniffs as Urbosa continued to attempt to dry her hair.

"I admit, it's a bit of a shock, especially considering this weather... but when you live in the desert, adaptability means the difference between life and death."

She glances down to where her familiar had coiled along her leg as it inspected Harry's own. "...Not to mention feeling anything at all is a sensation I haven't had in a long time."

That definitely explains everything as Harry feels a sigh of relief. He too notices the thunder serpent sniffing out Rose, worrying that it could eat her up, though a part of him is trying to calm down.

“Okay, I see. I haven’t been to the desert before, but I was on the run from someone trying to go after for nearly a year, so me and my friends had to be on the move and stay low while trying to destroy his soul piece items,” he replies, giving a part of his story which he is still reluctant to tell to most people.

Urbosa just smirks and chuckles as she pulls her hair over her shoulder for easier access.

"Quite the story. As for the desert, it's probably for the best that you've not been. A voe like you likely wouldn't last long without proper preparation."

Well, the lady is right after all: it’s probably for the best that he doesn’t go into the desert unprepared.

“Alright, thanks for the heads up,” he replies to her while sorting up the cloaks and towels again before petting Rose on the head, “I think that we should introduce ourselves before everything goes into a haze: I’m Harry, originally from a place called England. You never heard of it before, right?”

It wasn't Nyuu's original plan to participate in the brave of soul challenge, but then she remembered the fears that had been holding her back. Rather than allow them to continue having power over her, Nyuu decided she would prefer to confront them (if they were indeed here).

That was how she found herself in the present moment.

When the tall woman (Nyuu was only 5'1) put her arm out, Nyuu was about to ask what was wrong, until her eyes looked ahead and found the creature. What in the world was that thing? Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the way the woman beside her stiffened up, though only for a moment. Nyuu dared not object to the woman's wish of fighting alone, not with the fury in her voice. She only watched, impressed by the woman's fearlessness. Nyuu was just surprised as she was to find the creature gone, except Nyuu actually witnessed it fade away.

"Even though it wasn't a typical battle, I'd say you slayed it, in a way," said Nyuu as she took the crystal handed to her, putting it away in a bag given to her for collecting the crystals. "And you didn't hesitate at all to jump into battle," she added, impressed, and made all the more evident in her doe-eyed expression, as if she were looking at a super hero.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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Arrival C

Re: Arrival C

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AHHHH AN URBOSA!!! I AM SO HAPPY! <3 /hug! [Mirror, Mirror A-]

:3

Re: :3

Arrival A

Re: Arrival A

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Mirror, Mirror (Nyuu)