avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

{ 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

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

01. Not Kelpful

Oh, really!

[Aerith takes her skirts in her hands and she twists the fabric to squeeze the water out. While she's come to expect the unexpected, wherever it is she's come to, this wasn't what she expected. And although she had some help with some very friendly (if not slightly intimidating-looking) turtles, they weren't exactly capable of giving her any information.

Taking her hair into her hands, she's squeezing the water from that too as she tries to get a better look at the Rent-a-Ride centre. But instead of asking for a ride, she's asking what she thinks is the optimal question.]

Hi there, I know I'm showing up a little shoddy, but do you think you could point me in the direction of Midgar?

02. On the Road Again ♫♪

[The explanation is nice and warranted. At least once it's given. It's better than wandering around without a single clue as to what she should be doing or how to get back to...

Well. It doesn't matter now, does it? Midgar is frozen, right? That's what they said.

Aerith is eyeing the drake in all of its glory.]

So you're responsible for all of this, right? [She asks it, as if she expects an answer.] If that's true, there's going to be some ground rules while we're rooming together. But I'm sure we'll get along just fine.

[Because surely there's nothing strange about someone carrying on a conversation with their familiar, right?]

03. Pure as Snow

[She's not sure how she even got roped into this, but if everyone else is going along, what's the harm in humouring them? All things considered, Aerith's having a difficult time not being a bit nonchalant about everything.

The truth is, she doesn't fully understand where they're going or what they're doing. She doesn't really know anything about the kingdom or the fae, but it's important. And the moment magic has entered the situation...

Well. She knows a little something about that.

Either way, she's found herself at the bridge and its accompanying plaque. It doesn't take her long to figure it out. It helps that there are those who have gone before her. She has no difficulty traversing across the water and about halfway, she pauses and turns.]

...Come on! You can do it!

[Is she cheering you on? You bet she is.]

04. Wildcard

[Exactly what it says! Please feel free to hit me up to hash out some plans.]

[ Aerith has approached none other than a man who appears positively unapproachable, or at the very least, stone-faced with a sharp frown across his lips. That is to say, he seems quite the grim and grumpy one. Similarly waterlogged from head to toe, both his dark hair and his dark robes and cloak cling to him. Yet for all of this unkempt appearance, he stands as if untouched and unbothered by the cold.

(But he is. He is effected by the cold. He's just not used to having a flesh-and-blood body.)

Somnus angles his head towards her as she posits a question, blinking slowly as water falls from matted bangs over his vision. When he opens his eyes again, the woman still stands before him, soaked through just as he, and looking up at him as if he could give the answers she seeks.

So. This isn't some sort of fever-dream? He realizes, then, that he feels not a sliver of the Crystal's power. That is all he needs to know. ]

Maiden, [ he addresses her thus, then turns his head towards the white cliffs before them. ] attend to your surroundings; we stand not within our realms.

[She's still in the process of wringing out her ponytail before she frees it from the utterly soaked ribbon holding it back. Aerith frowns at it minutely before she sets her attention back onto Somnus.

Wait, did he just call her 'maiden'? She's been called a lot of things, but she's pretty sure that one's a new one to her.

She doesn't have much time to really think on it because the mere motion of his head causes her attention to move in the same direction. Yes. She supposes it's... not. Well. It's not home, that's for certain. Where exactly is she?

And this guy, this... man who's as dampened as she is, obviously isn't a citizen. Unless he enjoys going for icy swims. Somehow she doubts that.]

Aerith. [She corrects him in a very gentle, offhanded manner before she continues.] I guess you're right. Looks like you and I are in the same boat. [Aerith gestures between the two of them thoughtfully.] Does everyone come here the same way or were we just lucky enough to be thrown in the water?

[It's cold. She suppresses a shudder.]

[ Her shudder from the cold isn't missed, and in that same moment, he feels the unpleasant thrill of a shiver himself, signaling that he too is effected. How strange. Having been without a body for ages, the cold is almost alien to him. Even so, he recognizes the imperative of their current plight: they must find something to warm themselves, and his soaking, heavy cloak will not do. The tide-breeze is like ice against them while both wet.

Not knowing the answer to her question, he refrains from answering it. Instead, he focuses on what is needed in the moment. Angling his head upward, Somnus spots a few structures atop the clips. ]

Yonder caravan. Let us ascend. [ He motions to her, as if doing so would make her follow. ]

[She follows the subtle gesturing he offers. It isn't hard to put two and two together.

He's old fashioned. Royalty, maybe? Aerith can't really think anyone she's met who was like royalty, really. But he sounds like he comes right out of a book.]

Right!

[Better to sound more optimistic than she feels. But she suspects that'll all turn around when she's a bit warmer. Until then, she'll just occasionally shiver as they make their way up toward the structures.]

Thanks for coming with me. I would have made my way eventually, but everything's always better with company.

Aerith Gainsborough | FFVII

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03 (hello, flowerlady!)

♥!

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Pure as Snow

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