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

"Because I want to get hurt?"

Honestly, how was this so hard to figure out? How is he going to learn healing magic with nothing to heal?

But also, if he would just explain that part, he probably wouldn't sound like such a damn freak.

Luke still stared at him blankly, not working together the fact that this was for healing practice, considering he was missing that important bit of information.

"Why?"

"So I can heal myself! Why else would I want that?!"

Luke let out a faint noise, making a face; how was he supposed to know that?!

"Maybe you should have led with that instead."

"Why?"

Darin offers a blank stare.

"Because people don't usually go around asking to be hit."

He sighed faintly, shaking his head. He wasn't exactly much of a brawler, and he doubted he would appreciate pulling a lightsaber on him.

"I can hit you, but I don't think it will do that much damage."

"Honestly? That's fine. Damage is damage and even if it doesn't make me bleed, I can at least try and use magic to soothe, you know?"

Luke took a deep breath, raising his prosthetic. Well, if he wanted to actually be hurt, he supposed cold cocking him with a metal fist would work, right? Even if it was covered with a glove?

"Okay, I guess. Ready?"

Darin squares up and even juts his face out. His very punchable face.

"Yeah! Lemme have it!"

The dragon on Luke's other arm just grinned at him, looking extraordinarily pleased when its person reared back. For a moment, it looked like he wasn't going to follow through with it, before his prosthetic lashed out, connecting with Darin's jaw with a solid, metal K-THUNK!

Darin crumples, hitting the ground like a sack of manure. He'd grown so used to his natural resilience that he didn't think something like this would drop him.

But then he rolls over and stares incredulously, clutching his jaw.

"YOU JACKASS!! WHO DECKS SOMEONE WITH THEIR METAL HAND?! CHEAP SHOT!"

Luke paused a moment, looking at his gloved hand, before looking back at Darin. The dragon was practically snickering on his shoulder, almost like it was going to loosen its possessive curl on his arm and fall off laughing.

"...you could tell?"

Darin rubs his sore jaw but shores up his wounded pride with his next statement.

"Of course I could tell. I'm a Master Blacksmith. If anyone knows metal and the sound it makes on contact with bone it's me."

"Oh," Luke replied, a bit dumbly, looking down at his hand before dropping his arm, offering him a hand up.

"Well, did it hurt?"

"Of course it hurt you hit me with a metal fist! I was expecting flesh and bone!!"

He sits up and rubs his jaw emphatically, apparently having completely forgotten he asked for this and he was also going to attempt to heal himself.

"...That's a pretty impressive prosthetic. Most prosthetics I've seen and made don't have any functionality. They're just fist shaped lumps of steel. You actually have control of that thing, don't you."

Yup, he's totally forgotten the purpose of this.

He smiled sheepishly, wondering if he realized that he was totally forgetting why he asked him to punch him in the first place. After a moment, Luke shrugged, reaching over to pull off his glove.

"It's suffered some damage, and I haven't had the time to get it repaired, so it might look a little--"

He cut himself off as he got his glove off, swallowing slightly. He hadn't had the time to take stock of himself after arriving here, so he didn't realize the kind of damage the Emperor's lightning had done to him. Most of the synthskin was in some form of melted state, and the skin around where the prosthetic was attached was unsettlingly puffy and red.

He stared at it a moment, before yanking his glove back on.

"Uh... maybe I'll show you another time."

Sorry, Luke. It's a little late. Darin's already up and seizing his wrist.

"Whoa whoa whoa. What the hell was that? Your hand is messed up, isn't it. Let me take a look."

Luke flinched as he watched some of the synthskin squish around Darin's hand when he grabbed his wrist. It didn't hurt, but it was weird to see something that was supposed to be a replacement for your flesh just get mushed around like putty.

"Sorry, I promise it doesn't hurt. I just... I guess the covering was damaged more than I thought it would be."

"What are you apologizing for?"

It was a simple question as Darin peeled Luke's glove off to examine the hand. His eyebrows arch in surprise, not at the melted synthetic skin, but at the articulation afforded to Luke by this prosthetic. It was advanced, for sure. More advanced than anything he'd ever seen.

He's already reaching around to his belt to pull out a tool kit, retrieving a few fine point tools for more delicate work.

"What did this?" he asks aloud as he starts to lightly and expertly separate the ruined synthetic skin from the metal appendage.

Luke -- reluctantly -- stayed still; well, he was going to need to get it repaired anyway. May as well let him work on it.

"I... had a disagreement with some electricity," he replied vaguely, before turning his hand over, to where a giant scorch mark was on some of the metal panels, showing some wires and a piston that had been knocked out of alignment. "That's the real damage; I can live without the synthskin, but I should get that fixed."

"What, did you try and punch a lightning bolt?" Darin scoffs as he notes the problem, then drags Luke down to a sitting position beside him so he can use both hands to work.

He places Luke's hand across his lap and starts delicately realigning the piston.

"Do you feel this? What's the level of sensory and haptic feedback you're receiving? Is it just pressure or should I be getting some whiskey to numb your sense of pain?"

Luke let out a faint noise as he was dragged over, a faint pink coming to his face as he just... plopped his hand on his lap. He gave him an incredulous look, before he shook his head.

"Pain sensors turn off when there's damage this bad," he assured him. "I don't feel anything."

He paused a moment, amusement reaching his eyes for a moment. "And I don't need a drink."

"Pain sensors?" He echoed?

"The hell? Are you telling me this thing's attached to your nerves?"

The idea behind that is literally too advanced for him to reasonably grasp, and he just stares at Luke in confusion.

Luke stared at him blankly, like he couldn't understand why he was so surprised.

"Y...es?" he replied, like of course his hand was attached to his nerves. How else was he going to be able to control it as well as he did?

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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