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

Ah... if that wasn't a confirmation, nothing would be. The Nero she'd known and met knew perfectly well to call her Matriarch when he was jesting, because she certainly wasn't a Madam of anything. Perhaps it's a good thing she didn't rush over to touch him or give him a hug—

Not that she would have without being certain of his memories and now she's more than sure about them.

The hurt will go in time— he's not to blame, nor is it his intention to cause it. It's unlikely they'd have even met at all without the machinations of these other worlds— she'd made peace with the possibilities a long time ago. For now, she focuses on what he asks, lowering her hand and folding her arms loosely in front of her chest.

"I misspoke. But we did meet in two different worlds, similar to this one, aye. The first was a place called Duplicity, and Lunatia the second— Lunatia was where all those that were called in were called "Moonblessed"." She explains, keeping her sharp blue gaze fixed on his face. She wears her confidence with calm, compared to the youthful competition she used to when she first came to a new world.

Her fingers idly move over her bracelet, before she exhales.

"... we were lovers." She says simply. "Shocking, I know. Lunatia made it quite easy, actually, and I wasn't your only partner—" She attempts to play it off as more casual so as to not make him feel any sort of obligation towards any deeper feelings that formed between the other Nero and her. Even though they formed after quite a while- and many adventures.

Hells, he can assume like most miqo'te, her lovers were plenty too, and that wouldn't be incorrect. Most of their kind give equal affection to many partners after all.

The charm wasn't the only gift he gave her— but she continues, looking thoughtful as she calls upon the memories.

"Aside from running into each other often, we started off working together when I hired you to improve the technology at my apothecary and eventual clinic. You certainly didn't want Cid man Garlond doing it when he arrived there."

Her gaze seems to avert the more she speaks, but after some time, she shakes her head and looks back at him with a wry smile, even if there's a very small hint of well-concealed resignation in her eyes.

"Though this is- quite normal. We were quite ready for the possibility of forgetting our time there. It happens in places like these and you don't have to concern yourself with it if it brings you any discomfort. I'd been prepared for it. And you— well. This is new to you. I'll be happy to assist you if you'd like."

The dragonet on her shoulder puffs a little grumpy cloud of blue flame and smoke that disperses quickly, and she tickles it under the chin before adding—

"The name's Megumi. Matriarch of the Utakata Tribe. Keeper of the Moon— despite the eyes." She knows a lot of people mistake her for a Seeker because of them. Lowering her hand, she moves it to her waist.

"What do you last recall of our own world, then? What was happening before you got drawn here? It'd be good to figure out if our memories of home line up."

May as well focus on that, rather than going into feelings and thoughts that he has nothing to do with.

Oh. Well. That would explain a lot. "May I say first my condolences, in regards to the loss of the lover you knew, and my commendation for finding the courage to be so cordial with such potentially awkward information." Not blatantly unkind, no. Formal, distant, but lacking in needless cruelty, for he certainly had no reason to be a complete shithead.

The corner of his mouth quirked just a little, as Cid's name entered the conversation. "So, Garlond arrived as well, did he?" And he missed that. Well... He himself missed that, but apparently this alternate of his didn't. Hope he had a good time. "Unless of course, I'd merely presumed he'd eventually show up, and he failed to." Because why wouldn't he assume that Cid Bloody Nan Garlond wouldn't eventually show his face there? Seemed like an inevitability.

"If nothing else, your familiarity with a version of me makes introductions all the more efficient." Now he doesn't have to do it again, though truth be told there was nothing he loved more than hearing his voice say his name. "It is a unique pleasure to make your acquaintance, Matriarch.

My last actions, before I was unceremoniously hurled into a freezing lake, was spearheading a concentrated and ultimately successful effort to put an end to the potentially apocalyptic efforts of the superweapon, Omega." Even though he spent the... last few fights in a medical ward but shhhhh we don't talk about that.

That's so very a Nero tol Scaeva thing to say. She can't help but smirk a little, even if there's no real malice behind it. And realistically, it is an awkward thing to talk about. After all, she's pretty much telling him he has someone who, in some world, formed feelings for him, while this version of his self has no idea and could have lived without knowing it.

She's never been one to lie, though.

She sounds amused at his mention of Cid's appearance, and nods.

"He was in Lunatia— Garlond, that is, for a little while. You were quite intimately involved there. It's a wonder I even managed to feel the way I did for the Nero there, with him on his mind most of the time."

She had found it amusing though, and she's sure they'd have had the chance to do more, knowing how Lunatia worked.

She simply nods at his words regarding his greeting, though as he speaks of Omega, she does look thoughtful.

"Ah— the "interdimensional being"... He mentioned it, I recall. So you're not too far off from that time..." Granted, she wouldn't know when that was happening in particular for herself, seeing as she's not a Warrior of Light- but she does know all of that took place before where she is from now.

"Then— you likely wouldn't know about the developments at the Bozjan Citadel... if mine own memories align. Which means— you're from the past for myself."

That's the logical explanation, but she does sigh and shrug lightly.

"Not that it matters while we're here. We may as well get along then, aye?" She frowns a bit, wondering how to tell him. "... You may run into Zenos yae Galvus and... Solus zos Galvus here. I know the latter arrived when I did, but he too, traveled two worlds as I did. Duplicity and this one. Zenos... I cannot say." And she doesn't want to— he still terrifies her, and it shows in the way her ears lower a bit.

"At the very least— they won't be at full power." She murmurs, almost to herself, though she shakes her head and focuses on Nero, stomping down on any lingering emotions drawn up by looking at him. It's time to focus on what's present now.

"Are you hungry?" She asks then. "You'll need to keep your energy up if you're going to be fooling around with magic like that."

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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tfw phone tagging makes typos. nan** not man!!