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

Arrival - A - Soaking in Your Arrival

"It is you, isn't it?"

It's a lovely voice, colored with a lilting accent straight out of a high fantasy movie. The source is a woman with pointed ears and a cloud of white hair, impressive in volume even while it dries from her dive into the lake. Instead of worrying about drying off, she's talking to something else that washed up on the shore: a quartet of tiny mice, each one a cute but unearthly pastel color, who are trying their hardest to pantomime an answer to her.

Apparently, that's not good enough to stop her from pouting. "... I'm sorry. Of course I recognize all of you! But I've grown so accustomed to hearing your voices. This is..." There's hesitation. She's picking her words carefully, not wanting to worry her beloved pets. "... it's strange."

While three of the mice seem to be thinking over their response to that, the pink one turns to survey their surroundings from between the woman's fingers. And then, noticing that they have an eavesdropper, starts waving wildly for attention. You can help them, right? Why else would you be listening in?

Snow Games - B - Sled Races

For the first event, Allura had been incredibly enthusiastic and competitive, and even on the sidelines had been cheering as loudly as she could without disrupting her image as a pleasant, dignified princess. However, during the race itself she might have pushed her partner a bit too hard, as the other person had declined to join her for the next event.

Which is why she's looking around for a fellow sled driver, with the same awkward energy as that one guest at a party who barely knows anyone there. Truthfully, if it wasn't required to pair up, she would probably be more comfortable taking the sled for a joyride on her own. That way, she wouldn't have to worry about maintaining any sort of image in front of another person. But, rules were rules, and she would rather keep herself in line than miss out on a thrillride.

Well, she's not going to get anywhere by waiting for someone else to ask her. So she walks up to the most promising candidate she can see, and asks:

"Do you have a partner for the sled race, yet?"

Mirror, Mirror - A - Brave of Soul

"Nothing so far... any further, though, and we'll be in complete darkness."

The princess hadn't shown any hesitation entering the cave, not even hesitating at the concept of a trial of courage. It might seem uncharacteristically brash, if you take Allura's refinement as a mark of someone quite reserved — but really, it's not. If you were there when she calmly decided to take down a universe-spanning empire, you'd probably be less surprised.

So even though it's not wise to forge forward, she sighs in resignation. "We have to keep going." And she continues into complete darkness, and beyond that.

And she only hesitates when it stops being complete darkness. At a certain point, the cave starts to glow in deep, unsettling tones of red. Just enough to see the whole cave start to shake and tremble, while a low roar starts to grow in your ears.

The source of the light is something far, far down one of the paths of the cave — one that is drawing nearer, and accelerating at an alarming rate. As it grows more visible, you might start to recognize it as a pattern similar to the surface of a star, filling the entirety of the tunnel like a wall of cosmic fire. It promises to swell to the point of consuming everyone here, like a swift, unstoppable wave of lava.

And Allura... has the look of a deer caught in headlights, since there's very little she can do about that. Except mutter an oath of "Oh, quiznak."

Mirror, Mirror - C - Celliwig, the Splendored Court

Her head is on a swivel as she walks through the city streets. There's nothing about the city that seems wrong, save for the cold welcome the group has received, paired with its importance in this mission. Surely, if there was a point where something would go wrong, this is it. Right?

Instead, nothing. It's a peaceful quiet, not a tense one. "Let's keep looking around a bit more. If nothing else, at least it's a beautiful place to be sightseeing." For a moment, her eyes seem to sparkle as much as the city around her, betraying her excitement.

But she manages to keep up the impression of a mature, serious adult on a mature, serious mission... right up until she sees the restaurant, and some of the unusual foods they're eating. And while she tries to be subtle about her piqued curiosity, there's a note of giddiness in her voice as she asks, "Say, are you feeling peckish? Perhaps we ought to have a meal while we're here."

It's probably a weird thing to get excited about, right? But perhaps, even if you're not familiar with alien tastes, you can still understand how the bright colors and bubbly shapes would be enticing, almost like candy.

Wildcard

[[ All other prompts are fine, too! Or if you want to plot out an idea first, please feel free to PM me! I'm flexible. ]]

Ren hasn't really planned on participating in the games, but since he was already there he might as well at least hear someone out. Especially when a beautiful woman like Allura was talking to him.

"I do not, though truthfully, I'm not sure what I would be able to do. I possess Healing magic."

Unless an obstacle really needed a healing touch, he supposed. "Of course I can provide the sled with magic, but otherwise I might be more of a burden."

"That's quite all right. I'm hardly in a position to criticize, since my Cognitive magic isn't the best adapted for this challenge, either."

But her posture and expression almost seem to puff up with optimism, as she continues: "Which means we could use this to practice applying our magic in unconventional ways! Failing that, there's always the tried and true strategy of going as fast as possible."

And that sort of wild ride sounds like music to her big, pointed ears.

"So, care to join me?"

"Hmm... when you put it that way," Ren looks thoughtful. Then he smiles. Well, it's not like it hurts to try and even if it did, he had the right type of magic for that.

"I would be glad to accompany you."

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

Princess Allura | Voltron: Legendary Defender

Sled

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