avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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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

I don't know if that's really his name, or if he even has one of his own... He can't talk. Or doesn't. I dunno. But I've been calling him Zunyan and he seems to be fine with it. It means "Dignity" where I'm from. Or Zun for short — "honor..."

[ He affectionately strokes whiskers of the tiny creature in his lap with the backs of his forefingers, gentle and respectful, as the small dragon poses itself proudly. ]

'Dignity' or 'honour' huh... pretty noble names. Guess they do deserve our respect, they're not really animals in that sense, right?

[She took another glance to her hellhound.]

I haven't heard mine talk yet but- I can kinda- I can kinda tell what it's feeling, you know?

Yeah... I do. I feel connected to Zun like that. Like— like he knows me deep down. We can’t read each other’s minds, but— there’s a sense there...

[ The dragon turns its head around in Zuko’s lap to look him in the eye, and they share a brief moment of connectivity. They like each other. They know it. ]

I'm glad I'm not just going totally crazy then... but seriously, it's- wait. [Pause.] She? She's just so calm about all of this. I'm a mess.

Yeah, you seem like it.

[ He says with complete unawareness of how rude that probably is? Um? But it's not wrong, she looks a mess. No judgmental tone, just... matter of fact. ]

She's not freaked out because she lives here, she called you here — this is not a shock to her like it is to you. So I guess just... trust her. Respect her. Follow her lead. I think our familiars must have much wisdom we don't comprehend yet.

[ His own dragon is pretty dweeby and klutzy, and causes him a lot of headache sometimes, but Zuko respects it deeply and regards the bond they share very seriously. This is not the first nor last time he'll go on to someone about revering their familiar. ]

...Wow, you didn't have to be that blunt.

[Jeeze, she knew she looked an ugly mess but still!]

But yeah...I think so too. We're gonna have to work together at the very least, and- she's on my side. Think it'll help if I lean on her a bit.

...Hey, what's your name, girl?

[The Hellhound just looked up at her, tilting her head.]

Oh. ...Sorry?

[ He glances aside nervously, an uncomfortable hand searching to rub the back of his neck. He thought it was safe to agree on, like he was being empathetic; she said it first, after all. Whoops? He watches her with her familiar, who looks confused even for a dog's face. ]

Um— does she talk, normally?

[Junko hesitated, fiddling with her hair.]

No it's- it's fine. Seriously, I know I look a wreck. Didn't mean to snap at you.

...I've not heard her talk yet but-

[Her familiar just leaned over- half climbing her way into Junko's lap as she did so- before nuzzling at the back of her hand.]

What are you- ... oh...

[ He smirks, watching the display with some small endearment. ]

Looks like she's warming up to you, huh.

[ His own dragon cranes its long neck backwards to look up at him with adoring golden eyes, whiskers and tail flitting about swiftly, before it leans into him and nudges itself into his chest firmly. More of a bodycheck than a nuzzle, falling on its side into his gut. He wraps one hand around it with kid gloves to keep it steady and close to him. They do this somewhat regularly... He'd never in a million years imagine he'd have a tiny dragon to cuddle? This was the most fantastical twist of fate out of all of this to him somehow. But convinced him of the bond between a familiar and traveler here; whatever they've been told must be true, and more than that, likely. If they can become close with their callers, there's no doubt they'll be astronomically better off. ]

...Yeah, looks that way. Yours, too.

[For the time being, Junko just wrapped her arms around her familiar to give her a cuddle, burying her face into the warm fur.

Given the chance, she'd probably stay like this for a while.]

Oh, yeah. Zun and I are close.

[ He says with a soft, fond smile, stroking the little beast between its wings gingerly, which it clearly enjoys. ]

He likes my sister's dragon, too. They're friends, I think. They even sleep together. Ah— look, here—

[ Indeed acclimating to the modern world, Zuko reaches into his pocket to retrieve his phone, holding Zun gently to his chest so as not to disturb him. He takes a short moment to scroll through his camera roll, but reaches his goal pretty fast, not being much of a photographer. And clearly he's not, when he hands his phone over to show a somewhat unsteady, slightly blurry picture of a pair of red and blue dragons curled up like snakes together, sleeping in the sun on top of their heater beneath a window. He's coming round to technology, even able to whip out pictures of his "pets" now like any modern teenager might. It's a nice feeling, being able to show off the dragons he lives with... Of all the twists of fate he's taken this past year, this is the most incredible to him still. ]

Huh? You have a sister?

[There was a pang of pain in her chest she couldn't quite place- but that was soon forgotten as she saw the sweet picture of the dragons together.]

Oh... oh wow...

Yeah. We live together here.

[ He doesn't catch onto any subtle cues she might be unnerved. He's still smiling, scrolls a few pictures further, and holds out another picture, of a beautiful young woman with the same sharp golden eyes and dark brown hair as him, though paler skin, fuller lips, and a far more confident, smug smile than his own; she's sitting in bed in a red yukata and flanked on both shoulders by each of their dragons, her blue one wrapped round her neck, Zuko's red one cradled in her arms, pressing its face against her cheek. It's all rather cuddly-like, but there's still something a bit... strange... about her smile; something about her just gives off an air of intensity, even in this cozy, domestic moment Zuko took a rare occasion to capture on camera. It's a candid photo, casual, spontaneous, but his sister takes to posing for photographs like a fish to water, for someone whose world has no such things; it's like she's staring through the camera, yet still so relaxed. A woman who looks like she should have a dragon — much like her brother. But quite in a different way somehow. ]

She's really pretty...

[That strangeness in her smile- that confident, sharp, almost analytical look in her eyes, something about it just seemed so familiar.

It looked a little like one of Junko's magazine photos.]

...Something about her...she looks a little like my younger sister.

But- anyway- it's good you have family here with you, I bet that makes it easier.

I guess. Yeah. She was with me in the other world, too.

[ He's not sure what "easy" counts as. His relationship with Azula was nothing near "easy." But it was better than it once was by far. ]

[She was a little jealous, really. She wished Junko were here, with her...]

Wait, really? So you both got dragged here?

Yeah... I showed up in the other place a couple months before she did. But— we showed up here together at the same time.

[ He glances away. ]

I see... well, at least you guys are together now, right?

[She sensed there was more to it than that- but didn't want to pry too much.]

...Yeah. Together.

[ Oh, there's so much more to it than that. Good and bad. And some more bad. He's good for being cryptic, though. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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