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

Years ago?

[ Luke stared at him blankly. He knew the second Death Star was about to blow up, and he knew before he ended up here he had to get off of it, but it hadn't yet. After a moment, he hooked his lightsaber back to his belt, he hugged his arms to his chest, trying to think. ]

There... are people from all different places here. Some not from our galaxy. It... may be possible that people are from different points in time as well.

[ He let out a breath, loosening his arms and reaching up to press his gloved hand to his forehead. This was too much to absorb, especially without the Force to ease his confusion. ]

[Din can only offer a nod in return. He doesn't say much more than that since he doesn't really have the exact details. He keeps to the Outer Rim after all, away from the New Republic and outside the law more or less.

Sensing that there isn't really much of a threat from this Jedi, Din relaxes and also sits. He doesn't trust anything that's going on right now, but he's also pretty sure that no further information is going to make it into his brain. Din.exe has stopped working.]

Dank ferrik

[It's a mumbled summation of the situation. But it might explain why the Jedi doesn't have the Kid. (Or would that be yet? No, stop thinking, you're not going to get an answer.)]

[ Luke pinked slightly at the sudden curse; it'd been awhile since he heard that one -- not since he left Tatooine at least. Still, he felt a little bad, because this really was a lot to take in, and he found himself stepping toward him, hesitating to make sure it was okay, before settling down near him. ]

Could... we try that again?

[ He smiled sheepishly, before offering him his left hand. ]

I'm Luke Skywalker.

[Skywalker. The name sounds vaguely familiar and if nothing else, Din is going to file that information away for later. And hopefully if he gets back to his world, he can track him and make sure the kid's okay.

But that's for later. For now, he has to decide what to do. Having at least one ally here might be useful for the time being. And he has trusted once before.

So he'll take the offered hand.]

Doesn't look like we have much of a choice.

[ Luke smiled at that, giving his hand a squeeze as they shook, before he paused a moment, expecting... something? Like an introduction? ]

Um... what should I call you?

Mando works.

[It's what most people call him these days anyway and he's used to anonymity. Prefers it on most days and the last time he'd heard his name used had shaken him, for lack of a better word.

With that settled, he moves to stand, and at least get off the beach.]

[ Yeah, that... definitely wasn't this person's name, but he couldn't exactly blame him for not wanting to give his real name. They were in a strange place, and he hadn't exactly ingratiate himself by trying to pull his helmet off. ]

[ He shrugged sheepishly, before standing up himself, brushing sand off his pants and turning his gaze up to Mando. Of course, he had to be taller than him. Every man in the galaxy was taller than him. ]

Do you mind if I stick with you?

[ It'd be nice to be able to stick around something from home, even if he was only vaguely familiar with Mandalorians. ]

[Din shrugs, glad to be standing and starting to move. He can think a little better this way, and while part of him knows he's probably being a little rude, he has a lot to work through.]

I assume we're both heading to the same place, so it makes sense to stick together for now.

[Plus he has about a million questions for the Jedi.]

[ Luke nodded at that, sparing him a small smile, before nodding toward where everyone else was starting to climb the staircase built into the cliffside. He had about a million questions as well and he tried, he really tried, to keep them back until they at least could figure out where they were, but he couldn't help himself. ]

So... what's the future like?

[Din scoffs a little at that. He's learning he's not the best person ask about what's going on the galaxy.]

I wouldn't really know. I mostly keep to the Outer Rim.

Easier to get around though, without the Empire, though credits only count for so much.

[Not that he's especially fond of the New Republic either.]

[ He couldn't give him much, but he did at least mention the most important thing. Without the Empire. Luke let out a faint breath, deflating to the point where he looked even smaller than he really was standing next to the armored man. ]

...so we really do win.

[ He knows he should feel happier about that, should sound happier about it, but he couldn't bring himself to be at the moment. Maybe later, after he had time to process his grief without being thrown into ice cold water, he could be. ]

[Din notices the relief, and stays quiet for a bit, letting Luke have the time.]

I'm guessing you were with the Rebellion then?

[ Luke nodded faintly at that, taking a deep breath to steady himself, before speaking. ]

Yes; for the last four years now.

[It's a long time to be fighting, but Din can't really, and doesn't, judge. His life has been constant battles at this point.]

So where does being a Jedi fall into that?

[ Luke paused a moment, peering at Mando like he was trying to determine if he was being serious or not. After a moment, he figured that he was -- the Empire did a through job of scrubbing just what the Jedi actually were from the general populace. He shouldn't have been all that surprised. ]

The Jedi were the guardians of peace in the Old Republic, before the Emperor ordered them destroyed. It only makes sense that a Jedi -- even one still learning -- fall in with an effort to restore the Republic.

[ He fell quiet a moment, a bit of a pensive look on his face. Of course, some of the things he had to do in the past was in direct opposition to what the Jedi stood for. Some of it, like the Death Star, couldn't be avoided. Others... ]

[ He shook his head; now wasn't the time to dwell on hindsight. Instead, he peered up at Mando curiously. ]

So we meet? In my future?

[ It was a silly thing, but part of him half hoped that maybe he grew a little more by then. Being the shortest adult male in the galaxy was exhausting. ]

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

I may have really enjoyed Chapter 16. A lot. XD

It's a good episode

I love it so much. ;;

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Aaaaaand I'm back!

\o/

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

I *may* have really enjoyed Chapter 16. A lot. XD

It's a good episode

I love it so much. ;;

no subject

Aaaaaand I'm back!

\o/

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I may have really enjoyed Chapter 16. A lot. XD