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

[ There's another man wondering much the same thing after having faced his own demons in that cave. He has the river and the invisible bridge fixed with a contemplative look, moving forward with the crowd as others try their luck and either walk across on illuminated steps or plunge into the rapids below.

Eventually he casts his gaze around and spots her. Something about her silhouette seems...familiar somehow. So he breaks away from the rest and paces over to stand beside her. ]

Worried? Don't be. If you have time to worry about the goodness of your actions, you are halfway there.

[ The voice next to her is... familiar, but it's not until Gaia turns her head to see him does vague recognition give way to knowledge. The face is one she has not seen in her own lifetime, and yet his name is there, in the forefront of memories that, since her confrontation with Artemis have seemed scattered and overfull all at once. ]

Emet-Selch.

[ The title is out of her mouth before she can stop it, and in the next moment comes regret, a frustration borne from having not wanted to reveal herself so easily. But she refuses to show it, instead allowing a wry smile to curve her lips as she continues on: ]

What about you, then? Would you say your own actions come from a place of good?

[ He tips his head towards her, expression largely unchanging but curiosity piqued by that simple usage of his title. Should he know her...?

Her face does seem familiar now that he thinks about it. ]

There is only one way to see. Might I prevail upon you to pull me out should I fall?

[ Without waiting for her answer, he starts towards the bridge. ]

[ Her lips part, an arch, irritated refusal on the tip of her tongue, but the words never make it to the air - instead, Gaia is left to wordlessly sputter her frustration, left to hurry in his wake lest he plunge into the icy, quickly-moving water beneath the broken bridge.

And if he doesn't?

Surely, if Emet-Selch is able to cross, then so too will she be.

So she hurries behind him, pausing at the edge of the bridge, lifting her hammer briefly in his direction - hoping to catch his attention before he crosses. ]

If you fall, make sure you reach for my hammer. I will pull you from the rapids.

[ Internally, she sighs. Really, she should have just stuck to her initial plan to refuse him entirely... ]

[ If she is as good as she claims to be, her pulling him out was never in question. Smiling briefly her way, he turns back to gaze at the empty distance betwixt this shore and the next.

He thinks about all that he has done in Zodiark's name. The chaos, the deaths, the manipulation. No lies, oh no, but omission? Plenty. Freed now of His touch, he is left to ponder how far he would still go to see the star restored to what it once was. As far as need be? Or only as far as he can stomach?

Closing his eyes, his shoulders slump with a sigh. No use dithering. He braces himself to meet the icy cold plunge and steps out.

...

The fall he expects doesn't come. His descent, halted. Eyes flying open, he stares incredulously at the hard light beneath his foot. Though moments later, that shock becomes wrenching guilt and resignation, mixed with not a little bit of relief. ]

[ To be honest, Gaia is not entirely sure what she is expecting when Emet-Selch steps out over the empty space that makes up the place where the bridge should be. His glance back is not met with a smile in return, but she does move to stand close, hammer gripped tightly in hands that no longer tremble, the adrenaline having picked back up in her veins.

Should he fall, she'll be ready to help him out.

"Not entirely sure what she's expecting" was the initial claim in her own mind, but when the hard light forms under Emet-Selch's feet, Gaia realizes she did indeed have expectations - largely, for him to fall. The surprise writes itself over her face as clearly as the incredulity on his, visible only from the side as he is—

—and then the expression on his face changes to something different, something that seems to her almost pained.

Gaia frowns.

She has questions. They're almost, almost overpowered by her own desire to test the bridge for herself, to walk out into the empty-but-not space with naught but the hope she has chosen, but... ]

Does it make you unhappy, Emet-Selch? To know your heart is good at its core?

[ She finds it confusing, but not bad... ]

[ A strangled sound of incredulity. ]

You seem to know me, though I don't know you. Why don't you tell me? Surely you're familiar with my work.

[ Does the bridge falter if one loses faith in it? He cautiously shuffles one foot forward but the light remains. ]

[ Gaia shakes her head. She's not sure she's quite ready to reveal the truth of her identity just yet, not when she's still trying to understand how she fits into this place. Besides... ]

I would not claim to know you well enough to judge your feelings on this matter. I am merely trying to understand it from the look on your face.

[ Not that she's particularly good at guessing peoples' feelings from their expressions...

Still, she falls silent for a moment, watching him as he shuffles on the light. After a moment or two, she takes a small step closer to the once-empty space. ]

It is my turn to prevail upon you. Should I fall...

[ But when she steps, eyes closed in anxiety, the light holds, and there's a breath of relief on her lips before she can stop it. ]

[ He isn't sure what he's expecting when she takes her first step of faith on to the bridge. But as with him, the hard light forms beneath her feet, saving her from the rapids. ]

What did I tell you? You had nothing to fear. [ He offers her his hand. ] Shall we?

[ It is easier to appear collected when someone else depends on you to be steady. ]

[ Nothing to fear. She supposes he's right; after all, the light has formed under her feet just as well as it did under his. Even now, though, the doubt somehow manages to persist, as though a single step will render the light null and void all over again.

There's a hesitation that's clear in her face before she accepts the offer of his hand—

(Thoughts asking herself if it's a betrayal of her own decision, to do so; if he would so readily offer his assistance if he knew; if it's not dangerous ground on which she treads, even more than the light under her feet.)

—but accept it she does, offering a slight nod towards him. ]

Alright, then.

[ He smiles faintly, turning to lead her on over the bridge of light. It's unnerving to be stepping across air, fearing that at any moment the structure could change its mind, realise he isn't worthy and dump him in the middle of the rapids where it is hardest to recover. But it never does - and they both reach the other side with naught but a case of nerves.

There are some crystals on the other side. Their reward. He releases her hand once they are safe and looks towards those still stuck on the opposing shore. ]

What an odd feeling to be on the side of 'good' for once...

[ If feels wrong. ]

[ His words earn a wry smile from the girl beside him, her now-free hand folding to join the other over her chest as she peers up at him before turning with him to look at those on the other side of the ravine. ]

For what little it is worth, while I do not agree [ any longer ] with the actions you and yours took, I am loathe to label you as 'evil'.

[ She supposes, really, that she should explain herself further than that...At some point.

For now, though, she nods her head back towards the crystals that wait for them. ]

Shall we?

[ The question of who she is once more lingers in his mind. But the Warrior of Light has many friends, and their friends have friends in turn. She could be anyone.

However, it doesn't explain the sense of familiarity he feels...

He wordlessly follows her to the crystal node, and after a few minutes of searching he takes a piece he feels (hopes) will be suitable. With it in hand, he turns to her, waiting until she is done to speak. ]

...Whilst I do enjoy a conundrum to ponder every now and then, I quite lack the means to investigate your identity for myself here. So out with it: who are you?

[ Why do I feel as though I should know you? ]

[ Her focus is on the crystals, enough so that she does not immediately notice that his gaze is back on her. However, she has barely taken one into her hand when a question follows, and Gaia turns back to face him again, a new frown creasing her brows. Despite his assistance now, she's still not entirely sure that she's ready to reveal the truth of her existence to him just yet.

But her original name is the only one she remembers now, which leaves her with little choice in the matter but to hope he knew her only by title. After all, even within the new memories she has gained, she doesn't recall knowing his true name.

She folds her arms over her chest, the crystal held tightly in one hand, and her head lifts a little, a stubborn jut of her chin toward him. ]

My name is Gaia. I was born a free citizen of Eulmore, and am now a comrade of the Oracle of Light.

[ The name means nothing to him. Thousands upon thousands such names have passed through his memory over the millennia - which only makes her existence even more frustrating. Perhaps he is only imagining a familiarity after all...? ]

Ah... You must have become acquainted with her after my--

[ Death. He presses his lips together and looks away, hating his momentary lapse. He sucks in a short breath before resuming. ]

After my demise, [ he finishes evenly. ] Do your actions weigh on you then? From the life you lived under Vauthry's rule?

[ Her brows raise in response to his initial statement. His...? Surely, he was about to say 'death', but— Is that even—

And then he says it, and her brows lift even higher, disappearing under the black bangs that line her forehead.

So he knows, then. She's not sure how, but he does.

That's a question for later, though, because he's posing one of his own. ...Not that it's one she can properly answer. Gaia shakes her head by way of an answer. ]

Mayhap this will sound odd to you, but I have no memories of my life in Eulmore, only the knowledge that I did indeed reside there. Nor do any that Thancred consulted have any remembrance of me.

[ Where before, she might have said those words with a frown, there's a small smile on her lips as she speaks. She understands now why those memories are gone, and she no longer has any wish to reclaim them. ]

[ His expression sours slightly at the mention of the gunbreaker. The man had never warmed to him and he had never bothered to find common ground with them. Not after their comment in the Rak'tika Greatwood. Not after the shards of auracite they had pierced him with. ]

And that does not bother you? Memories make a person who they are.

[ He would sooner give up his life than forsake his memories. One could say that's almost exactly what he did, in fact. ]

[ In the past, she might have agreed with him. She spent so long searching for the memories she lost, after all. But now, when she has a whole slew of memories that don't quite belong to her? She's not sure his statement holds true.

She shakes her head. ]

It did, once. But I have chosen to move forward, not back.

[ Unlike him - and unlike her past self, too. ]

[ Oddly enough, he feels disappointed with her answer. Like he's losing more and more of what he once held dear. More and more as well, he feels he has no more place in this world they would create in the Ascians' absence.

It's a lonely thing to realise. ]

I see.

[ Is he angry with her? He wants to say he isn't, but he knows he's frustrated and with no reasonable outlet for it. He has always tended to keep such feelings bottled in, hiding them until they're fit to burst. No doubt Hythlodaeus would chide him for it later.

Abruptly turning away, he starts walking on towards their next destination. If he lingers, he is sure that he'll say or do something he may later regret. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

mirror mirror

oh boy /rubs hands together HERE THERE BE SPOILERS

spoilers all the way

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