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

[ Zuko's in the throes of his own icy panic washed ashore by the time Azula reaches the same threshold. He'd been frenetically pacing the beach quite a ways down, but is just as oblivious to his surroundings in favor of his own panic. He's infuriated to be somewhere new. He'd just started feeling that wretched complacency in Lunatia, and he could just already tell he was in for another fucking ride here. A mounting existential breakdown sequel felt red-hot beneath his icy, wet clothes, clinging to his form; he should be shivering, but he's too distracted by rage and shock and fear. The last of those is abated slightly at the sight of his sister, though, but it takes him a moment to figure it out. In fact, if he'd not had a loyal familiar already, he'd still be kicking up sand in fits of fury like a child; but thankfully, his own red, lithe little dragon drew his attention to the girl with some determination. He'd nearly stepped on it a few times as he stomped about fuming aloud, but it laced itself between his feet deftly. Zuko's dragon caught sight of Azula and her dragon lying far off on the beach, and kept trying to get in Zuko's way to catch his attention, but he ignored its jumps and tricks. Finally, once it saw Azula and the blue dragon rise, its attempts to get Zuko's gaze to them became more frantic, and it started scratching him, leaving faint, barely bloody claw marks on the backs of his hands, which he only tugged away with frustrated grumbles. But when Azula's foot first made contact with the first step of the stairway, that was the final straw.

The dragon snarls, slithers up Zuko's leg like a snake to reach his hand more easily, and stretches itself out to bite him clean. He yells out, not expecting this and appreciating it even less, and smacks his hand in the air to get the dragon off without smacking it directly, tempted as he is. It's still a dragon, after all... Can't just slap a dragon, even an annoying little one. The break in his furious focus is perfect timing, though, because as Zuko looks down to examine his new wound, his hand bleeding more profusely now, the dragon takes advantage of being in his line of sight and shoots off toward the staircase. As Zuko's eyes follow it, they fall on a familiar figure he can recognize even from a distance. He just knows the way she moves. He can tell it's Azula over there. The dragon lingers, dancing in place every few paces to entice Zuko to follow, and it's not long before he does, paying no mind to his hand or any of his belongings the turtles had gathered. He'd come back for them later; they're not important. He doesn't even care he's bleeding now. He makes a dash for the stairs to meet his sister there, running full-speed to catch up with her. His dragon zips along through the sand with him, keen and eager, clearly tied to her innately somehow – unavoidable in any universe, their destinies were always tied together, two for two. As he nears the base of the stairs breathlessly, she's over halfway to the top, and he calls out, bellowing her name through the icy coastal cliffs, sparing no theatrics because... it's him. It's them. ]

Azula! Azula!

[ Her dragon notices them long before she does, slipping out of Azula's grasp and out of sight before she has a chance to demand it to stay at her side. It'll tangle around its mirror in red the first chance it gets.

And then she hears him, stilling herself on the step, and again, with a hint of desperation that she could almost taste. Azula takes a breath, forcing her heartbeat to settle as she sets her hands confidently on her hips, a spectacle to behold: soaking wet and cocky as ever. At least on the outside.

The princess yells out to him: ]

You've kept me waiting!

[ Her words are stern, but when they finally lock eyes he'll see the relief flash across her face. She moves back down a step or three, awkwardly looming on this staircase while she has to wait for this dramatic idiot to catch up to her. ]

[ This dramatic idiot bounds up the stairs to meet her, but stays a few steps below. Somehow this positioning suits them unconsciously. This is the angle Azula should naturally speak from. His face falls at her words, though, incredulous, irritated, but incredibly relieved to be irritated by her right now, because it means she's here, and she remembers Lunatia. Zuko's dragon is quick to tangle itself around Azula's in turn, the little dragons zipping over the steps to dance together in an excited swirl between the two firebenders as they stand talking. ]

What do you mean, "waiting?" We've just arrived here! You're still all wet! What the hell...

[ Grumble, grumble... He climbs closer, but keeps himself a step or two below her as they move forward. He doesn't go in to hug her, doesn't stop to look her in the face at eye level, even. Just walks past, but pauses to let her take the lead in front again. ]

What even is this place...? Where are we? It doesn't seem like Prismatica...

I do not know, Zuko, we've just arrived here.

[ Azula laughs as she repeats his words back to him, golden eyes fondly watching the back of his head as he stumbles past her. And then waits for her to take her place in front of him, forcing her to grin as she continues her stride up the stairs. ]

But perhaps this world has someone to blame for our arrival and I can crush them beneath my heel.

[ She already knows her bending is gone, at least for now, but it doesn't hurt to wish real hard anyway. A brief moment of normalcy with Zuko at the beginning of whatever disaster they were headed into was welcome, she didn't need to start out with stress and panic. ]

If we find them, I'll help you...

[ His tone is steely, a bitter humor that's rubbing off on him from spending so much time with his sister. He's furious about being here, wherever here is. He's none too thrilled about the weather, warming potion or not. He's upset to be spirited away a second time, because he has already a strong inkling that that's what's just happened. He is uneasy and aggravated. He had a very bad night just before arriving here. He barely slept. Then woke up in a frozen lake. He smells faintly of smoke if she draws near enough, and not in his typical way. Truly smoky. He has a hard look in his eye as they climb the staircase. He'd gladly crush someone beneath his heel right now if it meant escape. He's not signed up for this. He feels a gnawing empty hole within himself without his inner flame, and it's infuriating this time around. He won't be going into an angst coma this time; he's too angry. ]

So is your firebending off again, too?

It's gone. It feels different this time.

[ Like it's more permanent. Hearing Zuko have the same experience didn't ease her anxiety about it, either. What if it really was gone? At least in Lunatia they could still access it, it just took a little powering up. Azula glances back at him as she moves, noticing his displeasure (he was bad at being subtle when he was mad, wasn't he?), but he looked rougher than she did-- perhaps it was well-deserved. ]

I thought we were supposed to forget about that place, Zuko.

[ Even if they felt relief with each other now, she still had... concerns that were possibly bigger than the loss of their bending. Maybe. A good night's rest would probably make her spiral once awoken and she realizes it's really gone-gone. ]

Me, too...

[ Zuko's but barely begun his emotional spiral in Avalon... just as his emotional spiral in Prismatica lasted quite a long time, there's no telling this one won't last even longer. He's comforted having Azula instead of being alone like his first time spirited away, but having Azula also presented a whole new layer of panic. Maybe a few. ]

We were supposed to forget when we return home, but— this obviously isn't home. Where are we...

[ He says it aloud again, more musingly, as if addressing the land itself instead of Azula, taking a wide look around them as he keeps climbing up the cliffside stairs. He knew Azula had no answer; he is merely stunned. Scared, truth be told. But neither of them would ever admit to fear, even in a perfectly reasonable situation to be afraid, such as, well, this one. ]

Edited 2021-02-20 01:29 (UTC)

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

arrival;

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i had to include these cats cuz that was my mental image and i'm not apologizing idc

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