You and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon... a ways away from the normal arrival bay. This time, you'replunged into a small lake within a gorge formed by waterfalls on one side and land on the other. Within the lake, an even smaller island within it that contains what appears to be some kind of statue encrusted with moldavite. You'll likely find that around the same time, current characters start appearing who are using their Land of Maidens Totems provided to them by the Fairy Queen.
The Lady of the Lake is still around to help people get out of the water and onto the little island, but even she seems a little perplexed at where everyone is supposed to go from here. At the very least, she will be providing shots of Everwarm potion to save people from freezing in the cold winter waters, and will tell new arrivals topartner up with some of the mages appearing on that middle islandto get an explanationabout where they are and what's happening.
B ⦿Searching for Direction
Further exploration will reveal that though the end opposite the waterfalls is deep enough for a dive, the end closer to the waterfalls is shallow enough that you canwade through it at about waist height. There are small rocks visible underneath the water surface that sparkle with a holographic shine. Prismatic rainbows dance across the surface of the water and there are a variety of pixie-like fairies dancing across the surface of the water in celebration. Speaking to them will reveal that a spirit that goes around purifying stones that gather natural energy throughout the year has just visited. The holo will fade after about a week, but it's truly a sight to see! Ask them where you're supposed to go next, however, and you'll get a lot of giggles and statements that you'll find your way if you keep your head down!
If you interpret that to mean you need to go deeper, swimming down beneath the surface will unveil to you what appears to be an underwater park. At this point, the pixies will tease you by casting a variety of enchantments on you that will last for the next hour, including:
Reverse Speak: Say the opposite of everything you intend to say. (Yes comes out as no, hello comes out as goodbye, "I love you" comes out as "I hate you," etc.)
Messy Magic: Causes something to go awry based on your primary magic type:
Kinetic:items follow you around at a respectful 2 feet behind
Elemental:everything you touches will freeze
Animal: all animals (including people) will be afraid to get within 10 feet of you
Alchemy: anything you touch falls apart (non-living)
Healing: reopen any visible wounds/scars when you touch someone with one
Dark: the lights going off every time you walk in a room, including candles and lanterns- outdoors, within 20 feet
Cognitive: send all of your thoughts to anyone within 20 feet, uncontrolled
Synchronized Swimming: Every time you get into the water, you find yourself making strange poses.
C ⦿Off-Track
Keeping your head down can mean to avoid drawing attention to yourself too, so perhaps you instead are choosing to look for places to hide around the area. Be careful! You'll likely find skeletons from wayward travelers lying around outside of the water... it may be best to stick to where most people are right now, or at least find someone to teach you some basic magic skills to give you a chance at defending yourself against the fearsome creatures that lives near this gorge: the aqrabuamelu, a species of fierce warriors created to wage war against younger gods in their original lands. They are 8 to 9 feet tall, with the torso, head, and arms of a man and the body of a scorpion, including both claws and a poisonous tail. A sting from them will render victims blind, they are super strong, and if that wasn't enough they are also excellent archers. It will take a party to get out of a battle with these warriors and back to safety, so you may consider helping out your fellow new mages by trying out your magic todefend each other.
A ⦿Keep Your Head Down
Those who aren't afraid to get wet may head toward the waterfall itself and the pixie's hint might become a little more apparent:keep your head down and walk through the waterfall itself. On the other side, you seem to be on another land entirely. A floating land, actually. Three islands, floating in the sky above the clouds and connected by a wooden suspension bridge from the first to the middle and a second from the middle to the last island.
The first island you arrive upon seems to be host to not much-- old statues, shaped like beasts are scattered among ancient, gargantuan trees whose roots are likely bigger than you are and leaves are shades of blue and turquoise throughout. There are a variety of small birds fluttering around, squirrels, deer, rabbits, a friendly skunk- the basic Disney package. One particularly notable thing is that the animals are reactive to music, so if you start to sing, they will follow you around. The birds will sing with you, the animals may start participating in whatever it is you are doing.
Across the first bridge lies an island with an old-looking castle with tall towers, covered in vines and flowers, surrounded by a moat, with a gazebo in an overgrown rose garden. Despite that it seems the plant life is unkempt, the building itself looks intact and clean.
The only residents of this island are 9 sorceresses, and they will welcome you with open arms and graciousness. There is an anti-violence spell placed upon the castle grounds. Any attempts to start fights, hurt anyone, or cause trouble, will result in the immediate transformation of that person into swine. You'll need to either speak to the sorceress, and one of the maidens upon the island named Circe, to beg for your fellow travelers returned to normal.. or find a siphoner to remove the curse for you. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to stay in the unoccupied rooms and explore the castle and the islands of the Land of Maidens while they stay. Get comfy, perhaps find a roommate (there are a lot of people coming in and there may not be enough rooms). You may also want to find your own food source over eating anything in the kitchen. Maybe hit up some of the older otherworlders who were warned ahead of time about eating fairy foods... or risk getting stuck in Elphame until you find a solution.
Within the castle, there are 6 occupied bedrooms-- visiting each will allow you to meet the sorceresses who live in the Land of Maidens.
B ⦿ The Maidens' Tasks
Each maiden will provide you with a different task to complete upon meeting. Once enough people complete their tasks, they will show everyone how to get off of the island and fast-travel to the capitol of the Fae lands, Nicnevin, for the Winter Solstice. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to stay in the spare bedrooms within their castle or camp outside where they please.
Eight of the nine witches are present and their tasks are as follows:
Thitis: A woman who plays a cither with expertise, she is able to change the moods and emotions with the power of her music, as well as lull people into slumber. She requests that you climb to the tallest tree on the first island and get her a branch from the top with which to make a new neck when this one runs out. Do not harm the tree in the process, and watch out for the thorns, which are known to turn creatures to stone if they draw blood. It is a gift for her sister, Thiton, so please deliver it to her.
Thiton: Thiton is more interested in modern music, and asks that you perform your favorite song with her. She can play any instrument, but you must perform to whichever one you choose to play with her. She will transform wood brought from Thitis's task to whichever instrument you choose and you must find at least one other person to perform with you. Sounds created from her instruments will create sonic damage as well as give your character synaesthesia for the rest of the day.
Circe:Casts a curse upon every person who entersher room. This curse causes the person to have one part of themselves transform into a wolf every five minutes.Break your curse or become one of her pets. This curse is immune to siphoning and can only be broken by finding the character's clothes, which have been transported onto one of the statues on the first island, and throwing it over the cursed individual.
Mazoe: A very motherly figure, her room looks like a nursery for a baby. In fact, upon entry, you and whoever you enter with will be tasked with taking care of her child while she runs some errands. Her child is a giant baby with superpowers. It doesn't seem like she's coming back for a while. Good luck, new parents.
Moronoe and Tyronoe: This room is the scene of an argument between the two witches. They cannot decide on a mural for the accent wall in this room. They seem to decide that the truest art is one that fate decides for you, and you and whoever you came in with (or wandered by in the hallway and got pulled in) should work together to paint them a new mural. Be wary, as any creature painted on the wall will come to life and mess with the rest of the mural as you go. You cannot leave the room until the painting is complete.
Gliten and Glitonea: These two share a room filled with threads and needlework projects and equipment, and a cauldron they will not let you near. They lament that you missed their sister, but she runs off on her own from time to time and only comes back to the island when it's her turn to stir the cauldron- though neither of them seem to need to right now. They seem to speak in turns, often finishing each other's sentences. Something about them looks familiar, as if you've seen their sister before. The sisters three's (two's?) task is to cross the bridge to the third island wearing a blindfold. The bridge itself is called the "Whisper Bridge" and you will hear voices of people you care about trying to draw you off the bridge, saying anything they can think of to get you to turn off the bridge. There are no railings on the second bridge.
A ⦿ Whisper Bridge
Attempting to cross the bridge without a blindfold will prove to be much more challenging, as the bridge seems to be under siege by sky orcas. These beautiful creatures, colored with galaxy patterns that seem to move as they swim, occupy the skies surrounding the islands. They make a show of flying through the air and are peaceful everywhere around the islands except for at the Whisper Bridge.
Those who see them while crossing the bridge will be hunted as dinner, and they're particularly terrifying ethereal beings who can touch you, but turn to clouds when you touch them. They will not attack anyone who cannot see them-- so Gliten and Glitonea's task, or an impossible fight, will get you to the third island.
B ⦿ The Island of Dreams
The final island is a place where the imagination rules. If you can imagine it, it will come into being on the Island of Dreams... sometimes whether it's on accident or on purpose, so be careful what you get caught in your head. This illusionary island will make anything real, and is a way to conceal some very real features that it is protecting.
Remember that anything you create on Dream Island must stay on Dream Island or it will die, and anything that you create on Dream Island can cause real damage to the real people on it. This is a place where dreams become real. You cannot control the other people on it, but you can create illusionary versions of people you know to interact with as well. (Please get player permission before doing anything with in-game characters.)
The exit to the islands is also located on Dream Island, in the form of a huge, green dragon. You have to be brave and walk into the dragon's mouth, and you'll come right back out the waterfall you came in through. It's hard to tell if this dragon is real or not... but it will get you back on Avalon's grounds.
• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, as the events within are considered game canon. • This post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads and may start their own logs off-post, 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. • Normal "Arrival" prompts are usually present on every TDM, but December's has different prompts as it is in a different location than normal. • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.
[ saber's eyes widen a bit. it is not the first time she's come face to face with someone who looks eerily similar to herself in this place, but it's strange that it might happen again.
the face is the same, by and large. a bit sharper, eyes not quite the same shape, but—it's uncanny.
really, though, this girl strikes her as more of a mirror to artoria, even if this timidness would be a surprise from the king of knights. ]
I know I am quite the sight to behold, but... [ maybe joking isn't the right tactic here, actually. saber pauses, tries to think. her voice softens a touch when she speaks up again, stepping a bit closer. it's clear that something has the poor girl spooked. ] It is all right. If it helps, I hardly understand this either. What do I call you?
[ She doesn't want to look at the other's face anymore than she's ever wanted to look at her own in the mirror (or be looked upon). And yet, her attention isn't torn away as readily as she might like. The longer she looks — indeed — the other's face isn't nearly so mirror as an image. Older, sharper — maybe. ]
[ It allows her to turn her attention away, seafoam eyes boring a hole into the ground instead. All she's ever had about her appearance is other's point of reference, in the end, but — She can feel Add move in his cage. She doesn't. ]
[ For as much as fleeing would be preferred, she feels rooted. Listening. Uncertain and confused in equal parts. Hesitation and then an answer: ]
... Gray.
[ Finally, some part of her body seems to creek into existence as she moves hands to tug at the hood of her cloak, pulling it further down her face so only half of seafoam hues can be seen. A beat, and she's quiet, as if the question isn't something she's allowed to ask: ]
--What is your name?
[ She thinks — hopes — somehow they are not that hero. ]
[ it's perhaps an overly obvious name, but... a good one. it puts this newcomer in good company with red and blue, she thinks, and normally the thought might amuse her.
saber nods at last, glancing away towards the castle. gray clearly doesn't feel comfortable being so—seen. she has always been every bit the opposite, living for the spotlight, but... still, she has no desire to cause this person any more discomfort. ]
I go by Saber, in this place, but... I doubt that is what you mean to ask. [ she closes her eyes for a moment, letting out a breath. gray seems to her to be asking out of more than simple politeness or curiosity. still, even now, she finds herself reluctant to disclose her true name. ] Nero. Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.
[ What was it she wanted to ask? Was there really an answer she was hoping for? Gray couldn't say. There wasn't much she could do about situations like these — as much as she didn't like change the world always changed without her consent. She could only let the wind cast her away. ]
[ Her attention that fled to a nearby tree snapped back at a singular word. Saber. Of course, she had never been to a Holy Grail War. Everyting they had done for six months was in preparation for one — one her master had now discarded — and though she counted herself not the brightest she doesn't need more clues. A similar face and the title of 'Saber'. ]
[ It sucks out her breath and she wished Add was awake. Not that it mattered, he couldn't turn into a scythe like this anyway. Nero continued, though, giving the answer that Gray had truly wanted to hear. A servant. Not that servant. ]
[ The breath exhales as she presses a hand to her chest. Her attention turning somewhere in the middle distance between tree and emperor. Shoulders relaxing some for the first time, it's with equal parts hesitance she asks: ]
Indeed! Not that the difference matters at all, in this place...
[ her typical braggadocio fades. saber doesn't really know what to do here. this reticence reminds her of how her praetor can be, at times, but... there's something more to it, isn't there? ]
... If I have troubled you somehow, [ she begins, a touch uncertainly, like this is the kind of thing she is not remotely used to saying, ] I can leave you be. Bothering you was not my intention.
[ That's what, wasn't it? Something about their powers not working here. It's not something she thought much about yet. Maybe Add couldn't turn into a scythe anymore... At least he was here. ]
[ Somehow, she feels bad from the way the other was speaking. They'd shown her kindness and she'd been rude, hadn't she? (She's justified, it's a shock — some ancient, internal part of her scared). ]
[ The girl bites down on the inside of her lip. ]
I'm sorry. You just look like... a lot like someone I do not wish to meet.
[ Because meeting them means "Gray" would no longer exist, right? At least back there. The reality they could potentially coexist has never been one before. ]
[ saber is not especially good with aiding other people's distress. even with hakuno, all that she had to offer was an excess of clumsy love. she struggles to understand others' pain, even now. still, it is difficult not to see some of her own past struggles reflected in this newcomer.
perhaps she's projecting, but even so. ]
I will not pry. [ she says at last, gesturing towards the castle. gray's story, and who she wishes to avoid, is her own business. ] Shall we go, then? This is my first time in Elphame as well, though I have been in this realm for some weeks.
[ She's relieved that the other doesn't press. If it was Reines, she might have, she thinks and it's never something Gray knows how to handle. Even as she assures her hood is at its lowest point and ducks her head, she can't help the slightest crevices of a relieved smile.]
Is it — [ A beat as she considered her words, slow in her measure behind Nero before adding:] Always so strange?
Not... always in this precise way? But yes, I think. Avalon is a strange place, with stranger magic. But the alternative would be dreadfully boring, would it not? [ a bit of pep enters saber's tone, excitement growing as she takes in the architectural details of the castle's facade. ]
[ The girl blinked in confusion. Mouth warbling somewhere between a frown and a line as she glanced past the other and onwards still. ]
I guess... But I think I'm fine with boring.
[ Well, maybe not necessarily, but not this kind of excitement either. She thinks of a rowdy classroom with lots of voices. She shook her head at the question, ducking it some. ]
[ saber nods at that, a deep thing that practically rolls down to her shoulders. ]
I studied under Simon Magus for a time myself... I had the aptitude for magecraft, but little interest. [ it is all... small talk, essentially. ] There are... others here, from worlds close to yours or mine. Magi and Servants. I've not been here long, but... by and large, we watch out for one another. Even those from more distant worlds often...
[ saber trails off, glancing back at gray. what she's describing has been an odd situation to adjust to. ]
[ Gray is, unfortunately, rarely one to lead or carry a conversation. Perhaps over tea and snacks with Reines it would be different, but for now she's happy to catch her breath. To listen rather than to answer, but Nero's question leaves some aching amount of confusion.
Perhaps this, too, is justified given her one experience with a Servant was in Faker attacking them — though it would be a shame to not say Faker was without pride or her own code. Still, Magi she also knows to be people who will kill their own family for power. ]
[ Strangers without will or reason ... Even if in her case, she would protect someone, she'd seen it time-and-again the past six months. ]
Magi and Servants... But wouldn't try to attack — [ She stops herself, a half of a head shake as she glanced up from beneath the hood. ] I mean — Even if they weren't doing so here...
,,, I'm neither of those things. [ Not quite what she means to say, but piecing the proper way to say it takes a moment longer: ] I'm just a bystander.
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the face is the same, by and large. a bit sharper, eyes not quite the same shape, but—it's uncanny.
really, though, this girl strikes her as more of a mirror to artoria, even if this timidness would be a surprise from the king of knights. ]
I know I am quite the sight to behold, but... [ maybe joking isn't the right tactic here, actually. saber pauses, tries to think. her voice softens a touch when she speaks up again, stepping a bit closer. it's clear that something has the poor girl spooked. ] It is all right. If it helps, I hardly understand this either. What do I call you?
no subject
[ It allows her to turn her attention away, seafoam eyes boring a hole into the ground instead. All she's ever had about her appearance is other's point of reference, in the end, but — She can feel Add move in his cage. She doesn't. ]
[ For as much as fleeing would be preferred, she feels rooted. Listening. Uncertain and confused in equal parts. Hesitation and then an answer: ]
... Gray.
[ Finally, some part of her body seems to creek into existence as she moves hands to tug at the hood of her cloak, pulling it further down her face so only half of seafoam hues can be seen. A beat, and she's quiet, as if the question isn't something she's allowed to ask: ]
--What is your name?
[ She thinks — hopes — somehow they are not that hero. ]
no subject
saber nods at last, glancing away towards the castle. gray clearly doesn't feel comfortable being so—seen. she has always been every bit the opposite, living for the spotlight, but... still, she has no desire to cause this person any more discomfort. ]
I go by Saber, in this place, but... I doubt that is what you mean to ask. [ she closes her eyes for a moment, letting out a breath. gray seems to her to be asking out of more than simple politeness or curiosity. still, even now, she finds herself reluctant to disclose her true name. ] Nero. Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.
no subject
[ Her attention that fled to a nearby tree snapped back at a singular word. Saber. Of course, she had never been to a Holy Grail War. Everyting they had done for six months was in preparation for one — one her master had now discarded — and though she counted herself not the brightest she doesn't need more clues. A similar face and the title of 'Saber'. ]
[ It sucks out her breath and she wished Add was awake. Not that it mattered, he couldn't turn into a scythe like this anyway. Nero continued, though, giving the answer that Gray had truly wanted to hear. A servant. Not that servant. ]
[ The breath exhales as she presses a hand to her chest. Her attention turning somewhere in the middle distance between tree and emperor. Shoulders relaxing some for the first time, it's with equal parts hesitance she asks: ]
You're a Servant?
no subject
[ her typical braggadocio fades. saber doesn't really know what to do here. this reticence reminds her of how her praetor can be, at times, but... there's something more to it, isn't there? ]
... If I have troubled you somehow, [ she begins, a touch uncertainly, like this is the kind of thing she is not remotely used to saying, ] I can leave you be. Bothering you was not my intention.
no subject
[ That's what, wasn't it? Something about their powers not working here. It's not something she thought much about yet. Maybe Add couldn't turn into a scythe anymore... At least he was here. ]
[ Somehow, she feels bad from the way the other was speaking. They'd shown her kindness and she'd been rude, hadn't she? (She's justified, it's a shock — some ancient, internal part of her scared). ]
[ The girl bites down on the inside of her lip. ]
I'm sorry. You just look like... a lot like someone I do not wish to meet.
[ Because meeting them means "Gray" would no longer exist, right? At least back there. The reality they could potentially coexist has never been one before. ]
no subject
[ saber is not especially good with aiding other people's distress. even with hakuno, all that she had to offer was an excess of clumsy love. she struggles to understand others' pain, even now. still, it is difficult not to see some of her own past struggles reflected in this newcomer.
perhaps she's projecting, but even so. ]
I will not pry. [ she says at last, gesturing towards the castle. gray's story, and who she wishes to avoid, is her own business. ] Shall we go, then? This is my first time in Elphame as well, though I have been in this realm for some weeks.
no subject
Is it — [ A beat as she considered her words, slow in her measure behind Nero before adding:] Always so strange?
no subject
So you are a magus, then, Gray?
no subject
I guess... But I think I'm fine with boring.
[ Well, maybe not necessarily, but not this kind of excitement either. She thinks of a rowdy classroom with lots of voices. She shook her head at the question, ducking it some. ]
No. [A beat.] ... My teacher is one.
no subject
I studied under Simon Magus for a time myself... I had the aptitude for magecraft, but little interest. [ it is all... small talk, essentially. ] There are... others here, from worlds close to yours or mine. Magi and Servants. I've not been here long, but... by and large, we watch out for one another. Even those from more distant worlds often...
[ saber trails off, glancing back at gray. what she's describing has been an odd situation to adjust to. ]
You needn't face this realm alone.
no subject
Perhaps this, too, is justified given her one experience with a Servant was in Faker attacking them — though it would be a shame to not say Faker was without pride or her own code. Still, Magi she also knows to be people who will kill their own family for power. ]
[ Strangers without will or reason ... Even if in her case, she would protect someone, she'd seen it time-and-again the past six months. ]
Magi and Servants... But wouldn't try to attack — [ She stops herself, a half of a head shake as she glanced up from beneath the hood. ] I mean — Even if they weren't doing so here...
,,, I'm neither of those things. [ Not quite what she means to say, but piecing the proper way to say it takes a moment longer: ] I'm just a bystander.