TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

[avalonmods]

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ 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 The footraces will be run on foot, competitors will be tied together in a three-legged race-style competition... except this binding is magic! The only way to end it is to cross the finish line. Along the route, racers can expect to run into minor obstacles such as snow bunnies, puddles that can’t be jumped, a flock of snowbirds giving hassle, trees that upend their own roots and move to confuse the pathway. Whatever the interruption, it will come in the form of either a small creature made of magical snow or some minor hindrance to the path. Competitors will have to use magic to overcome these obstacles. Whatever your magic class, find a way. B ⦿ Sled Races The sled races will be run on magically driven sleds requiring two drivers. Races will not run on one kind of magic alone so be sure to mingle with other classes for this competition. Whatever magic class a character is, they will be required to feed magic into the sled to keep it going; the more magic, the faster it will go. On the path, obstacles will come in the form of wholly washed out portions of the track that need to be reformed using magic to pass. Use elemental magic to flatten rocky areas or wash away debris. Larger creatures such as snow deer and moose congregate in large groups blocking the path, so an animal magic user could be useful for asking them to move... someone with cognitive magic could try their hand at a little hypnotizing a fellow newcomer with big muscles to move fallen logs for them. Healing mages could easily use buffers to support their fellow magicians with temporarily increased speed or strength. Use light magic to sneak past living obstacles, or dark users can cast a love enchantment and make a love match between two moose even though it's far from spring. There are tons more creative uses of magic to help you get through the obstacles on the sled's pathway. Find a creative way to use magic and get through the obstacle; make sure you are faster than the other guy. 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.

Comments

Thancred Waters | FFXIV

[censorshipnutkin]

Arrival

Thancred was getting too used to random arrivals in weird areas. Between Y'shtola's spell to get out of Ul'Dah and the Exarch pulling him to the first... he was just tired of waking up in strange places. But... being dropped into a lake... That was a bit different. (At least he had his clothes on this time.) It was freezing though.

At least until a woman swam over and gave him a potion that changed that, before swimming off to help other people he was seeing fall in around him. Since he felt a bit warmer, he started swimming for the shore, pulling himself up on shore when he got there. Taking a break to sit and get his surroundings, the nutkin normally at his side hops up on his knee. Well, for whatever changed, at least one thing remained the same.

Sitting on the beach he watched for a while as people headed towards a staircase to start climbing it. He stood, brushing sand off his coat and headed that way himself, offering an arm for the nutkin to hop on his shoulder.

"Shall we get going then?"

Caravan

Making it to the top of the cliffs, Thancred gets the items from Archimedes before standing to the side to wait until the caravans leave. His gunblade was still wet from the fall into the water, so he takes a few minutes to dry it off a bit, making a note to take care of the rest of it when they get to 'Camelot'.

The phone was somewhat familiar. It reminded him of the Tomestones he saw people using back at home and on the first. He poked at it a bit before pocketing it, not familiar enough with it to do much. He'd figure it out later. His nutkin is just sitting on his shoulder waiting with him. There's not much chaos to be made... yet.

(Really, he's going to be standing and waiting for the carriages to go, so feel free to come up and say hello. He's not as grumpy as he can look.)

Snow Chicken

He hasn't had magic in a while. Ever since the incident in Ul'dah with the Warrior of Light and the Sultana, his aether had been distorted too much for him to do the simplest of things. Even traveling between Aetherytes was too much for him. (He'd been getting tired of walking, really.)

So, having magic here was going to be interesting. And he was going to have to learn how to use it. For now though, he'd been watching some of the games and decided to participate in one, finally: what they called Snow Chicken. Walking up to someone, he politely taps them on the shoulder.

"Want to team up for this one?"

[ooc: So, for tdm I'm going with a nutkin familiar and kinetic magic. Which Thancred here is going to be worried about using. Plus, if anyone wants to hit me up with a wildcard, please do! I didn't do the third prompt just due to worries if I don't get my app done in time. Also, brackets are fine, I just like prose for top levels. <3]

caravan

[prismatically]

[ Stella's not exactly a new arrival but here she is, all bundled up in a winter coat and getting into everyone's business. She's been making her way through all the new arrivals, so it's probably not a surprise when she reaches Thancred and says– ]

Hi, excuse me! You're new, right? There's a few people I'm looking for – d'you mind if I ask if you've seen them?

[censorshipnutkin]

[Thancred looks at her for a moment, then replies.]

Yeah, I just got here. I can't promise I've seen your friends, but I can try.

[prismatically]

Awesome, thanks! They look– uh just a second, lemme get my phone... I've got notes!

[ She's got notes...

In her defense, she doesn't have her phone from home with her so she has no photos, and she doesn't want to end up forgetting an important detail that could help. So she's zipping through her notes quick as can be while she chatters at high speed. ]

Um, okay, so first off I'm looking for anyone with hair on the spectrum – you know, rainbow spectrum? So, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet... and they're all about my age! Oh, and –

[ She looks up from her phone so she can use her hand to frame the twinkly little star earring she has dangling from one ear. ]

They all have stones like this! Not exactly the same, it's a different shape and colour for everyone, but you know what I mean!

[ WHY WOULD HE KNOW ]

[censorshipnutkin]

[Thancred listens to her fire off the notes from her phone. It was like Yda back in the day, so it wasn't too hard to keep up, at least.]

Sorry, I haven't run into anyone like that here.

[Not to say he hadn't before, because Eorzeans loved their hair colors.]

[prismatically]

[ It's a bit sad how quickly and how very visibly she deflates. ]

Really...? Nobody at all?

Snow Chicken

[bendless]

Sokka looks excited as he turns to look at the man. "Sure! I was just looking for a partner. My name's Sokka!"

Re: Snow Chicken

[censorshipnutkin]

"Thancred." He eyes him a moment. "I don't have control of my magic yet, want me to carry you?" He should be able to hold him fine.

[bendless]

"Uh, yeah that works. I'm not an expert at my magic, really, but I should be able to do something." He sort of scratches the back of his neck. "But I have to warn you... I... use elemental magic. I don't have complete control over my fire yet."

[censorshipnutkin]

"I've been through worse." Don't ask, Sokka. You may not want to know all the crazy shit he's been through. "I'll be able to deal with a little bit of errant fire if it happens. I don't even know what my magic is yet."

[bendless]

"Okay, if you're sure. I mean, we do have people with Healing magic if stuff gets out of control and either of us gets hurt." He hopes it won't come to that.

arrival

[menphina]

[ Why is she here, indeed. She's already been adapting as best as possible to this new world- third time's the charm, she supposes, but she does like to come by and check when new arrivals do come in. It's easier, and she knows how confusing it can be with no guidance around.

So, with some fluffy towels in a side bag, and her little familiar, she's been off to see who has come in and offer some assistance. It's not like traveling bothered her- she got antsy if she sat around too long, and this way, she could keep an eye on whoever showed up.

And a certain light-haired form and a familiar looking coat makes her pause, eyes widening as she spots not just him, but- the nutkin.

Amazing.

With a wry smile, she approaches, holding out one of the towels to him. ]

Seems like no matter the world, your little friend doesn't want to be apart from you, Thancred.

[ She doubts he'll find her familiar, but she might as well see if he does at all. Stranger things have happened! ]

Dry yourself off or you might risk a bad slip, aye?



[ ooc note; Megumi isn't a Warrior of Light but she is CRAU and was close to the Thancred she met in her previous game, but she won't be bringing up anything unless he asks :D ]

[censorshipnutkin]

[The voice was unfamiliar, but they knew him. But, that didn't surprise him anymore, considering he'd been a Scion so long. He turns to look at them.]

Well, he's been to other worlds with me before... Not surprising he's still along for the ride.

[He takes the towel from her to start drying off.]

I'm sorry, you know my name, but I don't know yours. Can I get that?

[menphina]

[ That answers that. While there's the briefest show of disappointment in how her ears droop for a moment, it's gone the moment they lift back up, blue eyes bright again when she replies— ]

I'd have been more disappointed you didn't know who I was had I not been through this song and dance before. That said—

[ She smiles wryly, before gesturing to herself. ]

The name's Megumi, Matriarch of the Utakata tribe. Keeper of the Moon, but surely you'd know that much about how miqo'te work.

[ Her eyes would say otherwise, but she looks over to the nutkin with a fond look. ]

Don't worry. You didn't break my heart or make fancy promises to me. We met on a different world that you clearly don't remember, but it doesn't matter. It's good to meet you all the same.

[ She doesn't waste time, and she moves a hand to her waist as she watches him dry off. ]

Anyone else you know arrive with you, then?

[censorshipnutkin]

It's a pleasure to meet you Megumi. [There's a small bow. At least she was being truthful about everything. But what did she mean by 'before'.

Then she explained, and he was even more confused. You know, he'd ask for clarification later.]

Only nutkin here... [He says with a gesture towards his companion.] No one else I've recognized yet.

I did not get notified aaaargh

[menphina]

[ She smiles a bit at that, giving him a nod. ]

As to be expected... but I'd hope that you'll be able to find someone you do know. It can get lonely not having someone that you're familiar with around in places like these.

[ She smiles over at nutkin, looking it over curiously. ]

What do you last recall, from back home?

Snow chicken

[emet_sulk]

Staring at the yeti opponents, Emet-Selch cannot help but wonder why he's even here. Dragged hither and yon by his friend, of course, but he'd much prefer to be amongst the spectators than a participant.

It's as he's turning to leave and do just that when someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns, sees who it is, and his expression immediately sours. Oh. Them.

"When did you get here?" he asks tersely. New arrivals already? Just how many worlds are there on the brink of calamity?

(Why couldn't it have been one of his allies instead?)

[censorshipnutkin]

Well, shit. He should have recognized him at some point, really. After spending a chunk of time 'working' with him in the First. He pulls his arm back immediately, glaring at him.

"Not long ago. How are you here, didn't our friend send you off?"

[emet_sulk]

He gives a sweeping, wide-armed shrug and rolls his arms to the heavens before folding his arms back in tightly across his chest.

"I was brought back by a benevolent higher power moments before my soul separated. But thank you very much for the reminder. I don't suppose you followed suit shortly after my demise? No? A pity."

He'll not soon forget who smashed those pieces of auracite into him.

[censorshipnutkin]

"Hate to break it to you, but I ended up home safe and sound." Before ending up in this strange place, anyway. But who would pull both him and Emet Selch to this world. Bad decision on their part, in his opinion.

"So did our friend, but you probably figured that."

Snow Chicken

[crystalsfused]

Perhaps Thancred might have recognised G’raha before tapping him on the shoulder, had the miqo’te not dressed for the cold and had drawn his hood up to protect his ears. On a similar note, perhaps G’raha might have actually spotted Thancred if he hadn’t been preoccupied with watching the games. The tap to his shoulder comes as a surprise, and he wonders if he’s in someone’s way when he turns, only to find it’s a friend. Furthermore, a friend he hadn’t even known was here!

His eyes widen a little in surprise at first, before he breaks into a wide smile. “Now this is a surprise! I do believe I would like to try, yes.”

[censorshipnutkin]

"Well then, it seems we both have a partner." He smiles. He hadn't recognized him because the hood was up, and he thinks back to how a hood kept his identity hidden from them for so long on the First.

Damn this miqote and his head wear.

"You're going to have to fill me in on this place too. You're the first face I've recognized."

snow chicken;

[omnistriker]

[ Thankfully, she isn't entirely unfamiliar with the concept of chicken. She knows she's spotted the children around Sector 7 playing it more times than she'd like to count, and she can be competitive herself when the mood strikes, though she's still not comfortable really using magic -not when her muscles usually do all the work for her in combat.

Speaking of which- she looks the man up and down, unsure what to make of him. He seems amenable enough and without ulterior motive, although one can never be sure.

Her smile is a little teasing as she finally responds: ]

We can give it a try, if you promise not to squirm around too much while you're on my shoulders.

[ That's what he meant, wasn't it? ]

[censorshipnutkin]

Uh, well. I can try. [That isn't what he meant at all, really. But he'd learned long ago to not judge a woman's strength by how they look. Really. Pugilists are terrifying.]

I do need to warn you, I'm new and don't know how to use my magic, if that makes any difference.

[omnistriker]

It might be good practice for you. Of course, I can also ride yours. [ A short pause for effect then- ] If you promise not to drop me.

[ She thinks he looks sturdy enough to handle it, but judging by appearances goes both ways. Just because he has the muscle, doesn't mean he knows how to use it. ]

I have some experience myself using magic through materia back in my home world, but things might be a little different here. Hopefully, we can still pull this off no matter who is on top of who.

[ Either way, it's about having fun and learning to use their powers -which doesn't mean she won't strive to win anyway. She's too competitive and headstrong not to give it her all. ]