avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 15

Entry tags:

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 15

	QUICK NAV: ⚔️️ Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary
⚔️️ View Top-Levels Only ⚔️️

arrival banner

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.

ice turtle

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.

B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot

person riding horseback and looking at phone

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.

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.

hot springs covered in steam

Frosty Forest Glamp

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

igloo interior w/ 5way bed

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.

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.

honey walnut fig cake

C ⦿ Ingredient Hunt 2022

a very small plant

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.

They Grow Up So Fast

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...

B ⦿ Aurora Bearealis

teddy bear emerging from egg

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.

C ⦿ Go on, Git.
CW: Mentions of poaching, beheading in last paragraph.

a gashadokuro skeleton monster

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.

• 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This isn't the happy reunion any of them were hoping for. While Tsuna is able to pry off the small bear's paws, Chrome is able to pull the teddy's body away. Unfortunately, the bear still puts up a bit of a fight in her arms, but she tries to use her animal magic to calm the beast down.

Calm down, Kuma. Please Calm down. He's my friend. Calm down, please!

It manages to do the trick, Kuma's violence seems to subside, although he's still giving Tsuna some fierce eyes.]

I-I'm sorry, Boss! I don't know what came over him!

[She feels bad, especially seeing all those scratches on the teen's face, but she's also happy to see Tsuna. She heard from Gokudera that he was also here.]

And yes, I'm okay! I was a little confused in the beginning, but...I didn't really have much time to dwell on it.

[She blushes a little in embarrassment. Is this normal? She's been surprisingly busy since this world has a way of throwing you into the fray. She couldn't even focus on being in a foreign world before she had to take care of an egg.]

It's okay, really. I'm kinda used to it...

[He speaks like this isn't the first times it's happened. Poor Tsuna.]

D-did you just get here? This place can be a little confusing, even at the best of times.

[Chrome still looks a little concerned. Even though this isn't the first time she's seen Tsuna all beaten up, but she's not normally the cause. She uses one hand to pull out a handkerchief from her skirt pocket and offers it to the teen. Just to help wipe the blood off.]

...hm? I think it's been a week or so.

[Somehow it feels longer, but confusing is an understatement.]

This world is strange, but...I'm getting used to things.

[She spares him a small smile.]

[Does Tsuna maybe blush a bit? Yeah, he does. But he's grateful nonetheless.]

Hiiee, a week? I-I'm sorry we didn't find you faster.

[He hasn't really gone out to the cliffs to check, but perhaps he should start doing that again. But then, Chrome has usually kept to herself.]

But I'm glad you're alright. And that you made it here.

...Sorry, I guess I should have tried to communicate somehow.

[She didn't think to look for anyone, she just figured no one she knew would be here, but it was her fault to assume.]

But...now I know you're here. Where are you staying, Boss? M-maybe we can keep in contact from now on?

[She'll like that. She feels better about being in a strange place, knowing there are people from her world here.]

No, no, it's alright. We've found each other now, so there's nothing to worry about. It probably should have been on me to check as well.

[He's the one who's been here longer after all. It would make no sense for someone who just arrived to just start looking for friends.]

But I'd like that, yeah! I'm staying with Gokudera-kun right now, but there's an inn close by that's decent as well. I was staying there for a bit.

[It's not really his place to offer Gokudera's house to stay, but Chrome might want her own space as well.]

...yes, I have a room at the inn currently.

[She only asks to know where she could find Tsuna if she ever needs him or vice versa. She's not seeking to impose, in fact, she does desire her own space for the moment.]

Boss is free to come by whenever he wants. And the Storm Guy too. I can text you the room number later or by request.

[She smiles, the best she can offer is an olive branch to keep the lines of communications open. Her bear starts struggling in her arms again, and making her talk with Tsuna a bit difficult.]

Boss...this child is being unruly again...Ah! Kuma!

[ The teddy bear breaks loose from her hold, falls to the ground, and starts running off. Luckily, it's not attacking Tsuna again, but it must be going after someone else. Chrome starts running after the runaway bear, not before looking back at the other teen.]

...I'm sorry, Boss! Please help me catch him!

[ Chrome grabs his arm and starts running after the small bear.]

[That's a relief, that she's found the inn and has a place to stay for now. Tsuna has been playing around with finding a larger space, in the event that others arrived and that might be something he needs to look into now. But it might work out this way, since everyone does like their space.]

That's good. We're pretty nearby so yeah, that should work.

[Tsuna smiles, at least until the bear starts acting up again and whatever moment of peace was had is now gone. He tenses up slightly when Chrome grabs his arm, stumbling after her in pursuit of the bear.

He does manage to recover though.]

Where is it going?

...I don't know!

[ The little creature can run pretty fast, but Chrome is able to keep her eye on the bear with Tsuna in tow. He seems to run further into the city, only stopping for food, where there's a fresh catch of fish out for sale. The bear jumps in, helping himself to a fish as he starts tossing fish all over the place.]

K-kuma! No!

[Kuma flings a fish in their direction by accident. She already has her staff out and extended ready to parry the fish away.]

Boss, watch out!

[Incoming!]

Edited 2022-01-14 04:08 (UTC)

[It's got a lot of energy for a little guy and vaguely Tsuna recalls running after Lambo and guesses it's just going to be one of those days.

Almost on instinct, Tsuna steps in front of Chrome, only to catch the fish with his face and stumble backwards. But that might just create an opening.]

B-boss!

[She should've expected Tsuna will step into the line of fire and take the hit for her. Even if Chrome was fully prepared to protect the young Decimo as well.

She looks between the bear and Tsuna, feeling conflicted about what she should do. Make sure the brunet is okay, or catch the bear while he's paying attention to Tsuna stumbling from the impact.

Sorry, Boss!

Chrome chooses the bear and uses the distraction to retrieve Kuma from the bin of fish.]

I got him!

[But they couldn't do this all day! There has to be a solution!]

[That was probably the right decision. Tsuna eventually recovers, since he can survive more than a fish to the face and his pride is already in shreds.]

Great! Try and hang on to him...maybe we can get a leash or something?

[Or there's some rope around?]

Is he still looking to escape?

[ Poor Tsuna.

Chrome does her best to keep the bear restrained, but it doesn't seem as if he's putting up much of a fight now. Though a leash sounds like a good idea.]

No...I think he was just hungry.

[This bear is more of a handful than his egg form. The bear leads them further into the city, so there's bound to be a place where they can find a leash or a rope.]

M-maybe there's a pet shop nearby?

I'm not that familiar with this area of the city, but I'm sure there must be something. And maybe we'll need to get some more food as well.

[If he's calmed down for now, hopefully it was enough.]

Oh, I think I see a general store. Let's try there.

[Not likely, not likely.

Chrome nods, she's not really familiar with the area herself, but she's open to exploring. She keeps a close eye on the bear that appears to be content for the moment. She takes Tsuna's direction and heads towards the general store. It's bound to have a variety of things in there.

Once they get to the store, the bear starts acting up again, tempted by all of the new shining things on the shelves. Oh no.]

Boss...maybe you should hold him?

Hie...are you sure?

[Tsuna can't really claim to be confident about holding on to a squirmy bear. He can barely hang on to Lambo at the best of times.

But these are the times when a good boss has to step up, right?]

Okay, here, give me to me and I'll wait outside. Maybe that will help him calm down a bit.

If it's Boss, then I can trust you.

[ It's really a precaution because Chrome has a feeling that Kuma will wreck the place if given the chance. ~~Plus, Tsuna's basically the designated babysitter.~~

She offers the bear to the other teen. She stares at them both warily, wondering if this will be okay?]

...I'll be quick!

[She darts into the store, rushing to find something similar to a leash. Seeing Chrome leave, the bear already starts to act. Reaching out towards the store, and making whining sounds as it thrashes about in Tsuna's arm. Uh oh!]

[Tsuna holds on as tightly as he can without harming the bear, trying to pet it and speak calmly to it. Kind of like he would when coaxing Lambo.]

Hey, hey, it's okay. She'll be right back...ow!

[Maybe he should have asked her to bring bandages as well.]

[Poor Tsuna!

Though the shopping trip takes a bit longer since she's struggling to decide on a leash. It's not the best quality, but it is something for the time being. She also decides to buy a few snacks in case the bear gets hungry again.

She rushes back out of the store to see Kuma flailing about in Tsuna's grip and the other teen struggling to keep him tamed.]

Kuma! This is for you!

[ Chrome waves an apple at the young bear, the cub turns away from Tsuna, reaching out his claws for the red, shiny fruit. She offers it to the bear and allows him to take it from her. She then holds the leash at Tsuna's eye level, letting him know she's going to attempt to put it on him.]

[Tsuna lets out a small sigh of relief while still trying to hang on to the bear. All things considered, it could have been a lot worse.

But he sees the leash and nods, bracing himself once again for a struggle. With maybe a small gulp of anxiety.]

[It be okay. Mostly okay.

While the bear is preoccupied with eating the apple, Chrome decides to slowly creep towards the small cub keep the leash hidden behind her. She waits for an opportune moment to strike, but the bear already knows something is up.

So when Chrome springs with the intent to leash the wild creature. The bear decides to slips down within the brunet's hold, tripping the mist user up. Instead of leashing the bear, the strap goes around Tsuna's neck instead!]

B-boss!

[ And of course, the bear chooses now to try to make his escape.]

Hiiee!!!

[Between the bear and the leash and Chrome tripping, Tsuna drops the bear, and goes to catch Chrome instead, leaving him leashed and bearless.]

Ah, are you okay?

[It takes Chrome a moment to realize what happens. Suddenly, Tsuna is catching her, Decimo now has the leash around him and Kuma is gone!]

B-boss! This wasn't supposed to happen!

[She then regains her balance, her feet evenly on the ground.]

And Kuma! Where did he go?

It's okay. I figured something might happen...

[And he was mentally prepared if nothing else. It probably says something that he's come to accept that about his life.

Still, he scans the street, looking for the sign of the bear.]

Ah! I see him...this way!

[ Poor Tsuna.

She then starts running with Tsuna as he spots the bear. Of course, once the two of them give chase, Kuma starts running away faster.]

K-kuma!

[ Luckily, the bear seems to be running in the direction of the inn, probably trying to return back to Chrome's room.]

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 15

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)