avalaughs | 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

[ A big black dog, huh? Gyro eyes it but doesn't ask, same as he doesn't address the other elephant in the room. (It's actually a pegasus, albeit one the size of a large dog or a mid-sized pony, and not at all sturdy-enough looking for Gyro to think about trying to ride it. So far, it's ignored him but lingered close by.)

Anyway. Neither of their animal companions-slash-new-sources-of-magic look too interested in Gyro's offer.

Neither does the man himself, who was a tall and intimidating-looking guy before he flopped on his bed and started sulk-snoozing like a teenager. (Ignoring that that's also exactly what Gyro himself had been doing just a few moments prior.) But Gyro waits him out and...

His chuckle is a loud, rolling thing as he picks out three of the little bottles. He underhand tosses the first two at the man's head and aims the third at his stomach, all thrown slowly enough that if the guy looks up for them, he'll probably have time to catch all three.

Probably. ] I didn't steal it. Most of it. I had some money on me.

Hope you like...what the hell is Hpnotiq? Anyway. [ He pops open his own tiny bottle of blue liquid and downs it in a single go and also with a bit of a wince. This is not the most masculine shot that's ever been drank. ]

( the possible outcomes of the night seem rather apparent: Alucard is going to have to put up with this man for the night; he can choose to sustain his patience while sober, which isn't looking good for anyone's health or safety, or...Alucard can have a few drinks. if it gets him to stop caring about the severity of this astounding predicament for a few hours before what he expects will be a tense night of ill sleep, well — why the hell not.

the man excudes an impish, juvenile demeanor; he throws multiple bottles, and with different timings, and Alucard realizes this a moment too late while trying to anticipate an unexpected two-piece delivery with swiftly-lurching hands. the third one is at risk of going lost to the floor —

but it goes into the grim's mouth, instead. the dog... didn't make any urgent or fantastic movements to capture it, either. it's almost as if the bottle had been... pulled from the air to the creature.

Alucard doesn't notice — he's looking at the gem-hued bottles, eyes narrowing with gentle scrutiny at the liquids inside. ) If I don't care for it, I can easily blame you for the matter. ( said so growlingly-quiet, so level, it's evident that Alucard doesn't mean what he says.

(hopefully...)

he twists the bottle open (after investigating the cap at the end, confounded only momentarily that it isn't a cork inside the opening) and takes the first drink at its fullest, and...comes back with a disgusted twist to his face. )

They call this liquor here? ( it's sugary, more than the suggestion of the presence of fruit really warrants, and at a level that he has never faced before. perhaps the 1400s are just simpler times...or maybe the dhampir prince is just such an embodiment of concentrated bitterness that he might be naturally adverse to something this sweet. ) Hmph, that's one way to keep people from excessive consumption. ( oh, Alucard...if only you knew.

but if he is anything, it's...stubborn, and with the blue bottle emptied to a clear container, he twists the cap off of the rosy pink one. ) Definitely blaming you for whatever the next one does. ( put him in a coma, hopefully. he was planning on taking another one of those before this wonderful disruption occurred. it's only now that he's wondering if these carry any unexpected bonus affects that no one is asking for... )

[ Did that last bottle just-- rocket sideways? Into the dog's mouth? That dog didn't move, did it...? And then he's distracted by the guy talking.

Gyro's chuckle is bright, loud, and...maybe best left used sparingly. ] Good one! [ He compliments the joke (because this guy's joking, right? he doesn't mean he's actually going to blame Gyro for shitty liquor? right??).

Both of them end up grimacing over their bottles, though. The flavor is so...odd. Gyro isn't from a time period that has to worry about a lot of artificial fluff ingredients yet, so he doesn't know the word for it, but right now he's turning his nose up at the next potential bottle like a PTO mom who just got handed a McDonald's hamburger. ] Guess so. Or maybe they're fucking with us? Think they gave us the bad stuff that they don't like drinking? Assholes...

[ Gyro drains his next one just as fast though. The bright green liquid is...marginally better. He coughs into a closed fist before tossing the emptied bottle aside. He's not one for layered subterfuge...just knows how to cushion a blow before it's dealt. Casually, with just the slightest edge of the unhappy distrust he's carrying along with him since he woke up wet and half-drowning in a pond earlier, ] What do you think about these guys, huh? You buying their story?

Hm.

I wouldn't know, and I hardly care. ( to answer the man's first question; that is a sufficient answer, right?

Alucard hasn't risen from his place on the bed, only tilting his posture as much as is necessary to have grabbed the bottles, to look them over, to drink them — he's on the second one now, looking even more suspicious about it than he had been to consider them originally. if this is the worst thing he's had to encounter today, then it can't be the worst thing that has ever happened to him. (no, that bar is set pretty damn low, and...Alucard also lives on that very bar, so he now knows exactly where it's positioned in his life.)

the stranger in the room is now putting Alucard in a position to consider if this small talk being presented to him isn't in the category of 'worst things to ever happen to me.' )

I suppose I'm not in a position to argue their claims. I'm here, regardless of what I think. ( Alucard thinks he sounds thoughtful; in reality, he sounds just north of dejected. he glances to the dark shroud sitting idly beside the bed he's laid on, and knows that...the magic bond between himself and this familiar isn't all talk. he's never entered a magical contract with another creature, but he knows that what he senses is rife with energy... the same that he feels trickling through his flesh when odd moments arise, such as the carriage ride to get this far. that much is a compelling detail.

alas— ) Whether I intend to contribute to their plans or not, I have not decided. ( because that is what Alucard hasn't had proven to him yet; 'the universe is frozen' — that one is a bold claim, and by an enterprise that can track it, pluck people from it, imbue them with a seed of magic, and then harvest the output from them. is it impossible? Alucard isn't the one who can say if it is or isn't; but he isn't exactly feeling charitable yet, either. )

[ Gyro isn't by nature a planner. He's always had his entire life's story mapped out for him in advance - he follows because it's always been what he does. Only so very recently, these past few months traveling in America, has he started exploring what things mean to him. Only recently has he started wondering how to put together his skills and thoughts and drives and create something outside the boundaries of what he was told.

...So this answer makes him sigh, dramatic and loud. ] Damn! Was hoping you had a better read on this than me. [ He whistles in disappointment. Gyro's learning to plan for different futures, sure, but he hasn't had a lot of practice yet and considering back home it eventually got him killed--

Yeah. He was just kind of hoping for a bit more help here, buddy. Gyro eyes the pegasus, the squat and fat little pony with wings that's been by his side more or less since he arrived. It doesn't talk, nor does he feel any sign that it's trying to communicate with him telepathically, but there is...a sense of energy from it, for sure.

Not everything he's been told is a lie. But was it the entire truth?

Bottle number three ends in him grimacing with his tongue out a moment. ] Blech. I don't mind a second chance and all, but it's a tall order that we all just died and woke up here, and that that's the exact moment our worlds supposedly all froze.

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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spoilers for steel ball run be here