TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 15

[avalonmods]

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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. It's a fast process, though they do take their time as they need to go around hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals. 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.

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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 and a pair of ear buds and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was recently enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives 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 a special feature for warm winter drinks like hot apple toddy and butter beer. 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.

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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. Newcomers get free inn rooms for their one night stay on the way to Camelot, containing two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and movies.   Don't want to relax in the room? Take a dip in the communal hot spring. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly. 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.

 

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Last month, players were invited into the fae territories in Elphame for the first time for the Winter Solstice celebrations while King Arthur and Queen Elphame enter talks regarding the next steps toward saving the multiverse. In the meantime, a special camp hosted King Arthur's knights has been created on the riverbank just inside of the Forest of the Felled to act as a midway point for travelers going between the two points.

 

A ⦿ Snow More Cold
	The Forest Camp is quite a stunning outpost for Camelot. Given the snowy, cold weather, the campsites have been built with the knowledge of some of the snowier fae in mind and have resulted in what some are referring to as "Igloo Glamping." Artfully carved out group rooms, dining halls, and storage for supplies, and more have been carved out of snow to create a surprisingly warm solution to keeping safe as a Forest halfway point. Admittedly, it's not the your standard glamp-- but there are TVs, board games, and long fur-lined beds to keep you and four other people warm cuddled up together at night! There's also a snow port-a-potty that you probably don't want to face, but sometimes we face challenges in life. There are also a number of planned activities to keep people out of trouble while they stay.
...Or if they do get themselves into trouble, they can also end up in snow jail, a special igloo built with extremely tough ice stalagmites that will be hard to break out of until authorities can come pick you up and take you back to Camelot.

 

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B ⦿ The Great Avalon Bake-Off
One of these activities is inspired by a surprising store of buried baking supplies like flour, sugar, butter, yeast, and eggs that was found in the forest. It's been there a long while, but it seems to have been protected through magical preservation, so there's really only one thing to do about it: a bake-off! It's a little tricky out in the snow, so outside of the igloos, a trench has been dug and all contestants have been given a campfire. Alchemists have helped by creating clay ovens in the snow for contestants to bake their culinary creations in. The most impressive confections (not just the top scorer) will earn a copy of (Spell) Thirst. This spell can make someone feel thirsty, even if they aren't.

 

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C ⦿ Ingredient Hunt 2022
	The real trick is finding ingredients to make your confection something to stand out and come up on top of the contest, which you may need to wander into the Forest of the Felled to look for. There are a variety of winter berries able to be found, herbs and flowers buried under the snow if you can find them, and most importantly, a couple of truffle bushes from which chocolate and vanilla truffles can be harvested. There are quite a few tasty flavors to be found throughout the forest, and since it hasn't been repopulated yet due to the harsh winter, it's relatively safe to wander around no matter who you are. If you feel like you need protection though, maybe ask around camp to find someone who can fight for you.
Just be wary as there are a few ingredients you can find in the forest that may cause a few unintended side-effects to your taste-testers: Cider Berries: These berries appear to have a fiery glow coming from within. That is because they will temporary cause anyone who consumes them to breathe fire when they exhale for about 10 minutes straight... definitely a problem when you're living in an igloo. They have a great apple-y smell though! Strangler Figs: These fig trees grow around other plants and strangling them as if they were anacondas around prey. They produce the most brilliant looking and tasting figs, even in the winter time. Unfortunately, having been in Avalon long enough, they have absorbed magic into their roots and are now able to defend their fruit by creeping up anyone who touches them and trapping them in their grip. They cannot move while you are looking at them, so don't blink and hope you can outrun them. Little Leeks: These are very, very small leaks that seem to be hanging out in small vials found about an inch beneath the surface of the snow. They all seem to have different faces painted on the front of the vials, though the vials do seem to be a part of their body. The simple faces match the effect you'll get-- a crying face will result in your character having an uncontrollable sob fest, a happy face may make it seem like nothing phases them, some angry eyebrows on a frown could result in your character wanting to fight everyone in a fit of anger, and so on. The most tragic part is that these will continue effecting you until they are fully digested-- so it could take hours to stop bawling.

 

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Back in Camelot and Elphame, trouble is brewing of a different variety.

 

A ⦿ Calls You Daddy
Strange eggs with even stranger tiny legs have started wandering into the city and making their way into peoples' homes. Inn rooms, houses, apartments, tents, tree trunks, igloos, even townships have found residents waking up with a tiny little egg snuggled up to their side to keep warm in the morning.  These eggs act just like babies too-- they cry when they need to be fed (they'll roll around in the food to absorb it), are extremely picky about their food (and each egg has its own unique palette), need to be cleaned after eating, and they need to be kept warm or they will perish.
One touch of an egg to direct skin will result in a parental instinct being imprinted upon whoever touches them, so you may find yourself wanting to care for this egg as much as it wants you to care for it. Eggs come in a variety of colors and designs and will seek out at least two parents, so you may find yourself in an unlikely relationship for the next week or so until they hatch...

 

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B ⦿ Aurora Bearealis
	After about a week, the eggs all seem to be antsier than before. Many of their legs disappear and their colors start to glow gently at night, as if some kind of strange nightlight. Eventually, the top of the egg will burst open and out of it will hatch a slightly oddly shaped bear creature, which looks almost like a living teddy bear. The bears themselves have strange glowing markings that match the outside of the egg that they used to be in, and when they step out, a mysterious flow of light comes out of them- like an aurora borealis. At this point, there are two real problems that have started: Touching the aurora borealis lights will also make you glow with aurora borealis lights for 48 hours. They are bears and they act like bears and they get into everything and fight everyone like bears, except their perceived parents.

 

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C ⦿ Go on, Git. CW: Mentions of poaching, beheading in last paragraph.
	These fierce little aurora bears are causing destruction and pain in both Elphame and Camelot alike, so a decision has to be made: the bears need to be led by their parents and some fighters out to the nearest forest and set free to live in the wild, as they probably were intended to. Those in Camelot who release their bears there will find a heart-wrenching goodbye interrupted by a rather dramatic battle. The natural predator of aurora bears, the flaming lions known as Fogueria, have come out of the Land of Rot to hunt them down. I hope you brought someone with you to help save both you and your beary good friend from this flaming enemy. Fogueria cannot be defeated without using magic, so you've got your battle set out for you!
For those who have taken to Elphame, they are not faring much better. As it turns out, these little eggs have made quite the impression on some goblin poachers released from prison last month. These goblins are hunting down the newly released bears for capture to sell them as circus side-shows, food, and more to more devilish creatures. They love gold much more than they love anything else, except perhaps the fierce beast that accompanies their party to help them devour anyone who would try to stop them: a gashadokuro, a fierce skeletal demon formed of the bones of fallen travelers. It is known to bite off the heads of travelers and drinks blood. You'll have to defeat the whole party to ensure your newly released bears remain safe.

 

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• 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. • The first "Arrival" prompts are usually present on every TDM, but 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.

 

Comments

3

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera doesn’t usually venture too much, but this time of the month, he’s out looking for new arrivals, specifically if it’s anyone from his home, or that he’s met on other worlds. Iskandar may not recognize him, but the silver-haired teenager drops his bag at the familiar face, and stares at him.]

Uh, I’ve got the wrong room-

[His familiar, disguised as a plastic plesiosaurus toy, jumps out from Gokudera’s bag and urgently tries to move towards the conqueror with the same grace as a beached sea lion.]

Larry-!

[Gokudera’s casting light barriers, and the creature is just sliding right through before hopping to try and join Iskandar on those furs he’d been patting.]

Fuck- sorry, Iskandar, can you… Grab him for me?

[The creature rolls around, flapping its strange webbed plastic paws and drumming on its belly.]

[gordianknot]

[Iskandar's puzzled as to how the young man knows his name, but less interested in that than the antics of the familiar scooting towards him. He laughs and nods, moving to pick the strange creature up and peering at it.]

What an eager friend you have! I admire his energy.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Larry wiggles about in Rider’s grip, then blows bubbles at him. They sparkle and then as they pop, act like little fireworks.]

Hand him over.

[The creature shifts about and stays the same size, but just ends up looking like an odd bubble that turns into a hand and proceeds to attempt to thumb-war Iskandar.]

Larry, you stupid fuck-

[Gokudera stomps right over and attempts to pry his suddenly-hand-shaped familiar off the large man’s hand.]

[gordianknot]

[Amused at the familiar's antics, he lets out a loud exclamation at that sudden transformation.] Oho! A challenger! I cannot possibly deny him the possibility of glory.

[He holds up his free hand in a 'halt' gesture to Gokudera, before leaning in, intensely focused on winning the thumb war.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[With a sigh, Gokudera takes a seat nearby and watches.]

Of course you can’t.

[Larry makes a gurgled little ‘AHA!’ As he twists his thumb up and wraps it about Iskandar’s.]

Press it down, Larry!

[He has some idea that his familiar can’t win, but will cheer him on, regardless.

Larry is quickly resembling one of those “sticky slap hands”]

D-Don’t squeeze him too hard!

[Is he warning the conqueror, or his familiar?]

[gordianknot]

Don't lecture us if you don't intend to participate, boy!

[Iskandar grins, enjoying himself despite the oddity of the challenge. He's only going a little easy on the creature, but not so much that he intends to lose. So yes, he's probably squeezing too hard.]

[bakudan_bambino]

But-!

[Larry flops and thrashes in Iskandar’s grip until suddenly gaining his rigidity, and falling limp and boneless, head falling back, tongue hanging out, the same way an eastern hognose snake might.]

LARRY?!

[Is Gokudera the only one convinced of his sea-monster’s dramatic acting of his fake-death?]

[gordianknot]

Hmmm... [The way the creature suddenly flopped back certainly seems theatrical, so Iskandar has his suspicions, but he can't tell one way or the other, so he picks Larry up and shakes him experimentally.]

It seems the King of Conquerors has bested your companion far too effectively!

[bakudan_bambino]

[Larry is committed to this ‘dead’ role, so flops around. Gokudera looks heartbroken and leans closer, holding his hands out.]

You wouldn’t…

[gordianknot]

[Acting or not, Gokudera's expression makes him feel guilty, so he stops shaking him and places Larry gently in the boy's hands.]

It was a noble fight. [He claps him on the shoulder. There there.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Larry is still limp as he is set down, and Gokudera’s still upset, but then, Larry opens one eye to peek and see if his audience is still watching.]

Ah- he moved!

[Oops! Going floppy again! Gokudera pokes at Larry and the creature starts to squirm before letting out what sounds like a giggle.]

Don’t do that! [The silver-haired boy reprimands and Larry curls around his hand. Gokudera gives a huff of frustration before turning his gaze at the hand on his shoulder, then up at Rider.]

I didn’t mean to accuse you…

[He totally did!]

[gordianknot]

[At the reprimand Rider lets out a chuckle, squeezing his shoulder before letting go. He's more amused than offended by their antics.]

No harm done. [By the accusation, or otherwise.] It seems your little friend is quite the trickster. You act irritated by him, but it was very touching to see your concern!

[bakudan_bambino]

Well, he’s my familiar, so… he’s kind of important to me, I guess. It’s not like he’s my friend, though.

[Larry makes a little gargling noise, then stretches his long neck out to poke his face against Gokudera. He sighs and pats the creature’s head.]

Where is yours? Outside? Some kind of ox? That horse, your Bucephalus? Or is it something else?

[gordianknot]

Bucephalus is no familiar! [He snorts, insulted by the very notion. Familiars in magecraft were weak and disposable things, and he has seen no familiars here that have changed his opinion of that, as amusing as Larry's silliness is.

However... He doesn't dislike his familiar so far. He holds out his arm, and a bird appears perched there in a burst of flame.]

Mine is a huma bird, a worthy symbol of kingship.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera puts his hands up in a disarming manner and shakes his head.] None of your bulls then-

[Why does Iskandar sound so insulted?! It’s not like being a familiar makes any of those magical creatures lesser! Not in this world! Gokudera’s Uri is not his familiar, but a part of him. He wonders if the conqueror feels that closeness to his steed.

But then there’s a bird appearing and he lifts an eyebrow.]

Anything is if you call it so.

[The bird is pretty and all, but… not very cool. Larry is also not very cool. He’s odd, and silly, and teaching the boy a bit about enjoying a youthful spirit.]

Does it have a name?

[gordianknot]

I don't call it so simply of my own deciding. The Persians in their myths do.

[He eyes the bird speculatively, and decides,] I will name him Hayat.

[With that decided, the bird flaps up onto his shoulder to preen himself, satisfied, and Iskandar fixes his attention on Gokudera.] As for you, boy... Who are you? Have we met?

[bakudan_bambino]

Mnnn but you could.

[Gokudera has that much confidence in Iskandar and gives a nod. He won’t be convinced otherwise that this man could dub anything a symbol or worthy of kingship.

The name makes his breath catch, and he looks away. What a coincidence.]

Ah. If you don’t know who I am, then you are not the Iskandar I’ve met before. My name is Hayato Gokudera, Storm Guardian to the Tenth Vongola.

[He moves to fold his legs beneath him and bow deeply.]

You met me once and insisted we be friends, and then you would not stop offering to share drinks until I was unable to stand straight.

[Gokudera sits back upright and his expression is soft.]

[gordianknot]

[The coincidence of their similar names -- he'd simply thought of a Persian name, given their discussion, and had not intended to name it after anyone -- and that they were once friends, has him laugh so hard his bird startles and takes flight to perch on a bedpost.]

Well! That means our friendship must continue, lacking though my memories are. [He ruffles Gokudera's hair, evidently endeared, and moves to begin pouring them both a drink.] Where did we meet? Under what circumstances? You should tell me everything.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera is glad that Iskandar picks up on the similarity so well, and even wears a small smile. It’s actually an unusual look for him, but not around the King of Conquerors.]

We can still be friends.

[He bows a little at the hair-ruffling, then starts trying to sort the silver strands, an absent sort of pout on his face.]

Oh. I will absolutely not tell you the circumstances. They’re illegal.

[gordianknot]

Illegal under whose laws? When New Camelot becomes New Alexandria, I will overturn them.

[He has no idea what Gokudera is alluding to, but he's in good spirits enough, handing Gokudera some wine before sitting back down on the furs with his own drink.]

[bakudan_bambino]

Mine. I’m never telling you. By the time you ever figure it out, all my skin will turn purple and I’ll be an opera singer.

[Gokudera does not think he could ever share any of those circumstances. They were… and are still not appropriate. He accepts the wine and takes a sip without hesitation. It’s a big one, too, probably because he wants to impress Iskandar.]

So, when is New Camelot becoming New Alexandria? Anything I can do to help?

[gordianknot]

[A vehement refusal like that only serves to make him more curious, but he won't press the topic for now, simply moving on, setting his cup down and crossing his arms.]

I still know little about this place, so I want to explore what I can. Then, I will speak with that other King of Knights who rules this land, and offer for him to share his rule with me. If he will not concede, I will challenge him to an honourable duel to settle the matter!

[Elphame is still a huge question mark, given he has little knowledge of fae, but that part, at least, seems straightforward.]

Should Arthur refuse even a duel like a coward, he is no King of Knights at all, and I will seize his throne by force.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera watches and listens, humming into his glass. It feels appropriate that Iskandar should be here. He’s happy for it, but also wonders what could be done for his powers.]

With or without magic, Iskandar?

[He wonders if the other has gotten that far. The silver-haired boy has faith that Iskandar will do his best to rule over New Camelot in some way. It’s like him, after all. Aside from Elphame, Gokudera wonders if there is perhaps even more lands in this place.]

I guess you could fulfill quests and work your way up the ranks in this place… grow your power and influence…

[Gokudera has never conquered anything. Maybe a couple hearts, but he has no idea how he could help Iskandar. He sets his drink down, then move to the entrance of this strange… igloo so he can light a cigarette with a snap of his fingers.]

[gordianknot]

Magecraft has never been my specialty...

[He frowns, draining more of his drink. He had his shadow for that once upon a time, and later, a Master.]

But my powers here are diminished, so I suppose gaining magic will be inevitable. [And because it's worth asking at this juncture:] How long have you been here? Don't you have your own goals here you seek to fulfil?

[He's not refusing the help, far from it, but he has to understand why Gokudera wants to help him. He certainly seems sincere.]

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera gives him a glance of concern, but nothing too heavy. Iskandar is… more than capable of befriending many powerful mages. To form alliances with some, too. The frown has him approaching and he puts a hand on Rider’s shoulder.]

You’ll do well no matter what.

[His cigarette stays between his lips, and he removes his hand, folding his arms and looking up in thought.]

I’ve been here over a year by now. But before that, I was another year in another world, and before that, nearly two years a slave in another. I’ve died and come back, and don’t want for power. Just… peace, and for the people I care about to be well.

[Honestly, Gokudera wants whatever his boss wants. But… the Tenth seems to want peace, and he’s more than happy to support that. To keep the criminal background a secret. To gain the best grasp on his magic that he can so he may be able to save his home.]