avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

Entry tags:

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

It's fiiiiiiiiiine, Zel's part golem so he's really sturdy!

Except that doesn't apply here in Avalon because Zel's life is suffering. He braces himself to catch whoever the fuck this guy is, but rather than being a solid wall of dude and standing his ground, Zel's foot slips right out from under him. The panicked new mystery guy latches desperately onto Zel's cloak while toppling off the side of the staircase, which naturally takes Zel with him. He manages to snap a hand out to catch the edge of a step, but again, his strength isn't what it was back home. Something in his shoulder pops while he tries to hold up not only his weight, but the weight of the idiot that's clinging desperately to his cloak and strangling him.

So this is happening, hi Allura.

"Hold on! I've got you!"

Does she, though? Because reaching down to grab his hand really doesn't seem like a good idea. That was proven mere minutes ago. But no, she's reaching down to give him a hand and pull him up.

And her feet are already losing traction. She's not really pulling him up so much as pulling herself closer to the ledge.

So, who falls first? Place your bets.

Edited (why was that a question mark) 2021-01-13 06:31 (UTC)

See since this dude holding onto his cloak is strangling him, Zelgadis can't do a lot by way of protesting aside from frantically shake his head. Which he is doing. A lot. Look man he does not want to be responsible for a dead princess okay, that doesn't look good on anybody's record.

Allura's already losing her footing, there's no way she's going to be able to pull two people up by herself and keep her balance. Zel's magic still isn't working, so that's out. So, being the occasionally thoughtful person that he is, he's just going to let go of the side of the cliff and only plunge two idiots to their doom. Of course this plan will backfire instantly if she catches his hand while he falls, but look the point is that Zelgadis is far more willing to sacrifice this nameless, faceless NPC than he is to accidentally murder the nice lady that hasn't commented on how freaky he looks yet.

Also he's kind of losing consciousness thanks to the whole strangulation thing, so that's also not helping.

"Don't let go—!!"

She tries to reach out and grab his hand, but doesn't do much more than slam a knee hard against the icy stone before recoiling. Wow. Way to go, defender of the universe, you absolutely just let someone you met get killed.

But she gapes, staring down. It looks as though the man just... sorta... stopped in midair. Not even all that far away. Is he flying?

Since she can't see the Cliff Beast, since the cloak is dangling perfectly to hide it. So yeah, he sure looks like he's flying. Neat magic trick.

Awkwardly, she clears her throat. "So... uh... hmm. Are you all right?"

Oh good, the cliff has hands. Zel's from a world full of magic and bullshit, so he doesn't even bother to question why he's suddenly found himself laying in a giant sand hand, but still. His falling companion is having himself a bit of a freak out, but at least he's not hanging from Zel's goddamn throat anymore.

Still in the process of trying to catch his breath, Zelgadis first punches that guy in the arm to get him to shut up, and then manages to croak out a strained "I'm fine."

He's not fine. But it's fine.

The Cliff Beast decides to deposit the impatient NPC a little further up the stairs, which is good because otherwise Zelgadis might be tempted to punch him again. Zel himself is gently set down back in his original spot, where he promptly collapses to his hands and knees. He just needs a moment to recover from this horseshit, don't mind him.

Oh and the Cliff Beast pats him on the head, what a nice Cliff Beast.

Oh. Okay. It's not flight. It's a hand. A literal giant hand that spawned out of the cliff itself. A sentient hand, with no apparent body connected. Unless...

"Zelgadis, that massive hand... is that something you did?"

Which would still be a very strange ability, but it fits the situation a little better than this hand creature. She's seen living ground, but it simply doesn't happen like this.

You know, just when you think you've seen everything weird that the universe has to offer, it still finds ways to surprise you.

"It wasn't one of my spells, no."

He hasn't quite fully recovered from his little tumble, but he would very much like to get off these stairs, so he pushes himself to his feet and dust's himself off. Speaking of his spells though, it's actually super concerning that his magus isn't working. He stares at his hands for a moment while trying to make this all make sense in his head.

"There's obviously some sort of magical force at work here in the cliff, but for some reason none of my spells seem to be working. This is... Hmm."

SUPER CONCERNING.

"Really... and... what kind of spells do you normally have?"

Because, speaking of concerning, magic isn't a common skill in her own universe. And while she's a practitioner herself, it's better known as the tool of the druids — Haggar's horrid circle of dark magic users, who were blighting worlds to serve the empire.

But while it's worth inquiring about, she's already fairly certain something else is going on. A blighter of worlds? He literally just helped her.

Oh, right! In all this business about magic and hands, she almost forgot: "Thank you, though. Even if it was the cliff-hand that saved the day, you took a terrible risk for my sake."

"I specialize in shamanism, astral and elemental based." These words probably mean jack shit to Allura, but at least he's not blighting anything? That's probably good. Assuming that answer is sufficient, he rolls his shoulder to try to work out whatever the hell he'd done to it when he fell, wincing a bit when he raises it too high. Well huh, that's weird. He can usually take way more of a beating than this.

"Don't mention it. How's your knee?" He may have been in the middle of having the life strangled out of him, but he hadn't missed the way she'd landed on it.

"Oh! You needn't worry yourself. As it so happens, I know some magic of my own. And while I can't heal everything, something like this..."

She crouches down, holding her hands on either side of her knee, fingers spread wide. And after a moment's concentration...

Absolutely nothing happens.

"... huh? That's peculiar. It's as if there's no energy to be channeled." And considering she works using her own quintessence, that shouldn't be possible.

Unless she's dead.

... ... ...

Nah, probably not what's going on here.

"I see, so it's not just me, then."

This is hardly a comfort. If just Zel was unable to use magic, he could probably chalk it up to some kind of curse, which would surely have a cure. If this... whatever it is, anti-magic zone is affecting everyone, that's a lot harder to pin down.

"I'd say something is blocking our magic, but I don't really think that's accurate. I don't feel those connections at all, almost like they've simply vanished."

Edited 2021-01-15 02:59 (UTC)

She shakes her hands, as if that could somehow get the quintessence flowing again. It's a dumb idea. But she's uncomfortable with having no apparent life force, and she doesn't have a better idea.

"You're right. If there was something suppressing it, I'm sure it would feel... well, suppressing."

She frowns. Given how directly she manipulates the energy through channeling, she has a different interpretation: "It feels as though I can't feel it anymore."

"Hmm."

That's about all he has to say about that. That's not to say that he isn't thinking it over, because he definitely is. Probably too hard, but maybe right here on this shitty stairway isn't the best place to be distracted by his own thoughts.

"We should keep moving. Perhaps someone up there will be able to explain this."

A deep sigh, followed by her admission, "You're right. We should keep pressing on, lest someone else tries to knock us off again. We can't trust that hand to help every time."

But she does seem to have a lot of confidence in it, because there's a bit more hustle in her step continuing her way up to the top. Honestly, she trusts the hand to reappear more than she trusts the rest of the new arrivals to make their way up in an orderly fashion.

"I don't know, the hand seemed pretty trustworthy."

A joke, or an attempt at one, anyway. But yeah he's hustling up these stairs just as quick as Allura is, and he manages to keep his footing so that's a plus.

"It did seem oddly affectionate..." It certainly did look like it patted him on the head, like a beloved pet. "But it can still have limitations. We might not be the only one that it helps—"

But a pause, and she cranes her head a bit to see the figure still on the side of the cliff.

"Is it following us?"

Does it expect them to fall again, or is it just fond of Zelgadis? Which would be worse?

I mean it wouldn't be the weirdest thing that's ever been attracted to him.

He carefully peers down the side of the cliff as well. The hand pops back out long enough to give them a little wave before vanishing back into the side of the cliff, so... Really who knows what sort of limitations it has.

"I'm honestly not too sure about this thing. Some sort of elemental spirit, perhaps? It's definitely not a golem..."

A MYSTERY, one he'll worry more about solving once they've safely made it to the top.

"What, you mean like a guardian of the cliffside?"

It wasn't what would have come to mind, since her experience with spirits either had them as incorporeal or inhabiting magic robots. But it does make a little sense. Certainly, it at least explains why it wants to keep travelers safe as they climb.

"I wonder if it guards more than just the cliffs, then. Or if there are others in the vicinity."

"This cliffside obviously needs a guardian, so that might not be too far off base."

It's cool, Zel's seen suits of armor and little doll...bunny... Whatever Pokota is with human souls stuck inside of them, there's no reason a cliff can't have some kind of spirit thing going on as well. Magic is nuts, yo.

"Perhaps the woman in the lake is a similar sort of being?"

She perks up, as if energized by how nice and neatly that idea clicks together. "That would fit, wouldn't it? It would explain why she isn't bothered by the cold, and why she's inclined to help yet not to do so from the shore."

"I wonder if they're drawn towards this area, or if this whole world is quite rich in them?" It's enough to push her forward just the slightest bit faster, as if she's suddenly feeling bolstered against the cold.

"That's certainly possible."

This mystery isn't really at the top of Zel's concern list, but he can't help but be at least a little bit curious. Either way, it's something to worry about after there's no more risk of freezing to death.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject